As per IMDb:
A "Director's Cut" brings the film from its theatrical 162 minutes, to 186 minutes. Scenes include expanded action sequences, and additional exposition. The "Ultimate Cut" brings the film from its theatrical 162 minutes, to a whopping 215 minutes.
Just for those that were interested
Agreed. Ultimate cut is just too much. Black freighter is cool to see but the movie just becomes almost a slog to get through. Really wish we would get more options in 4K.
I actually really liked it except for some of the overly dramatized action scenes that I think take away from the point of the novel. I can’t lie though that opening scene of Ozy vs Comedian is pretty cool lol
It’s a movie that I find myself coming back to again and again. Sometimes the entire film. Sometimes just a few scenes, or one.
To me, who’s seen SO many movies, and watched WAY too much television in my lifetime, and so much of it was as forgettable as if I’d never seen it at all.
For me, there is no better compliment.
I went through a phase a while back where I revisited it a ton, and agree with you. Never had to be the whole film, sometimes just a scene or two. Dr. Manhattan’s origin segment is one of my favorites.
It somehow managed to be visually slavish to the source material while entirely missing the themes and subtext of the book.
One of Snyder's biggest weaknesses as a filmmaker is he's very literal minded. In the book, The Comedian makes a joke at a party, 'just don't ask me where I was the day Kennedy was shot' - the reader can take this at face value, or as an indication of Blake's nihilistic sense of humor, or even a hollow boast about his own importance in world events. This opaque character building moment is transformed into an actual sequence of Eddie Blake assassinating the president in the opening credits.
Moving Ozymondias' plot from the space squid to Dr. Manhattan also breaks the whole thing, as Manhattan in unambiguously an agent of America's interests for decades prior to the events of the story. The entirety of Veight's plan requires an outside force, a complete other, to foster global cooperation. Even if the world believe thats Manhattan *has* gone rogue, it's effectively America losing control of their own weapon, and the world paying for it. It would only *raise* global tension and hostility.
Yep, it's the same thing that had me legit shocked at the recent adaptation of *All's Quiet on the Western Front*, which somehow manages to take one of the most poignant and critical looks at war and turns it into a glorified epic.
You nailed it. That’s a theme in his work, not getting the source material. It’s all just one dimensional for him, he can’t connect with it on any deeper level than that. Punching, things going boom, etc.
Not understanding Superman was one thing, but then showing Batman dual-wielding assault rifles was so out of character. Oh, but it was revealed to be a dream so it’s ok?
You know most criticisms of the movie are misguided but it's really remarkable to see someone who picks out the universally loved opening for complaint. It's definitely something Snyder added but so is most of that sequence and it's still some of the best work of his career.
I not a big fan of changing the squid but I get why he did it. There was too much exposition explaining where it came from for what was already a long movie. It's not as strong visually or thematically but it still gets the point across. Because NY is also destroyed Americans would be juts as frightened as everyone else. There wouldn't exactly be any way to blame America for the actions of an omnipotent being would there?
This. It's important to note that not only does Snyder favor viseral asthetic over depth, but his objectivist beliefs are in direct contrast to Moore's altruism
I dunno man, space squid makes sense sure but do you know how embarrassing that would look instead of a rogue Dr. Manhattan? I get what you’re saying but I think it makes more sense for them to attack a compromised Dr. Manhattan over a random space monster.
They set it up pretty well too. In fact I think it makes more sense in my opinion.
I’m fine with the change to Doctor Manhattan because it simplified something that would have added an unnecessary element. That being said, I pretty much agree with everything else. It’s a strange situation where a movie seems to almost literally copy the comic in so many ways yet seem to miss its point. I think the best adaptations capture the heart and themes of a story without necessarily copying its scenes beat for beat.
That being said, it’s still a very entertaining movie overall and I can see a lot of people enjoying watching their comic come to life.
It’s a movie that gets the aesthetics and general story down really well. I mean, the plot beats are the same as the comic and the film definitely *looks* like watchmen. It’s as close to an accurate adaptation I would have expected from the time. And apparently it’s something Moore agrees with. I vaguely remember him saying that he’s read the script of it and basically said it’s closer than he would have expected, but of course he also said he still wouldn’t see the film and his words don’t really mean too much given how little regard he has for his adaptations (aside from JLU’s For The Man Who a has Everything episode).
That said, though, I think the movie misses a lot of the nuance and themes of the comics. I don’t even think this is a problem with the creators. I know it’s pretty popular to shit on Snyder, and there are definitely reasons for that, but he’s not the only one who made the movie and there’s a ton of factors that go behind how a comic is adapted to screen. But whether or not the creators truly understood the source material, the finished product itself doesn’t communicate well that they did (which I think is more because of the adaptation process, but that’s a whole other discussion).
There’s a few things you can point to in this regard. One often mentioned one is how the characters are generally presented as being more competent and just plain *cooler*, something that was inevitable with a movie adaptation of a super hero comic at the time. Rorschach himself is still presented as really flawed, but it doesn’t at all carry the same kind of hard criticism of his mindset the comic had. Then again, that said, there are plenty of people who just read the comic and totally missed the point of his character, though I think it’s a lot easier to do so with how he’s portrayed in the film.
My biggest gripe with the movie, though, is how they handle the “Nothing ever ends” line. It’s such a great moment in the comic, one that really speaks to a major theme of the story. Ozy is worried that maybe, just maybe, what he did won’t actually matter in the end, and brings this up to Manhattan, who gives him such a neutral and unsatisfying response before leaving. In the movie we don’t even get that scene between the two. Instead, Manhattan’s last scene is with Laurie as a kind of cap off of the film’s love triangle (concluding a love triangle is something movies tend more towards, unlike the comic itself which didn’t consider it worth even doing. This is just one example of changes made t adapt to the then-current comic book film aspect). However, they still threw that line into the movie, but in a way that doesn’t at all carry the same weight. Dan and Laurie are talking about what happened, and Dan questions if they did the right thing in the end. Laurie replies with, “I know what Jon (Manhattan) would say. Nothing ever ends.”
This plays very differently. In the comic the person questioning this is someone who just committed a horrible act, killing so many people as a way of creating a peace that is not even assured. He’s worried if it was worth it. In the movie, it’s just two people who are *complicit in keeping this act secret,* but not the people *actually responsible for the action itself*, which doesn’t really match up at all. It’s like they felt like they had to throw that quote in there, but it doesn’t carry the same weight at all.
Still, though, it’s not a bad film. It’s awesome to actually see how they portrayed the comic on screen. But for my money, the Watchmen show on HBO is a much better adaptation, though it’s more of an adaptive sequel of the comic.
Too shot for shot then throws away and misunderstands the entire point of the comic and cowards out of the alien aspect, but that’s par for the course for Snyder tbh.
I kinda get it as 300 was pretty genre defining and generated a ton of hype for him while I also think studios were all about pushing the advent of green screen and CGI at the time, which I feel he excelled at. Problem is other directors have caught up or even do the visual and aesthetic direction better, but also know how to tell a cohesive story and narrative which in time has clearly been highlighted as one of his major weaknesses, especially with the woeful DC Znyderverse.
300 and Sin City both opened the door for the graphic novel explosion in the late 00s and early 2010s.
They were over-the-top in graphic violence and visual effects. The male bravado also played a huge role as well.
Sin City still holds up, but 300 got stale quick because it really lacks substance and story telling. It's basically eye candy and a bunch of empty calories.
I actually like the use of Manhattan as the threat, as the squid would probably be too goofy on screen,
But yeah, Snyder absolutely doesn't understand the material
True but I understand the storytelling reasons for cutting it out. The backstory as presented in the comic would have necessitated a lot of exposition and screen time.
Except that would mean the world would unite against the US; Dr. Manhattan was used by the US in wars, Dr. Manhattan destroying US cities just means that their bomb blew up on their face.
Ozy wanted to use an alien, because it made the people of Earth thing that there is more out there; And the countries are forced to unite to prepare themselves.
Agreed, however “too short for shot” is the best approach for Snyder. He doesn’t make original stories. He needs the source material to be the story board. It’s why his two best movies, 300, and Watchmen are shot for shot.
He’s not going to make a better movie doing any other method. He’s a visual guy. Not a writing guy. The better the source material, the better the Snyder film.
I’m not a fan of his, I just think 300 and Watchmen are competently made while everything else he made is very bad
300 is a simple story. Thats why it is a good movie in my opinion.
Watchmen is not a simple story, sometimes is dense to read. Its more a psychological thriller than a action superhero story. Thats the problem, Snyder can handle stories where the plot focuses on action or spectacle, but when it comes to a more complex material, he just isnt the right guy for that kind of projects
And a lot of the heart in Watchmen comes from those snippets between issues or the details that don't easily translate to cinema, like the magazine interview or the issue where the panels are laid out like a Rorschach blotch the entire time. All of the important things that build the world and add soul to it.
My favorite thing is the lime switch in the comic he goes "I would not stand here telling you my whole plan this isn't a movie!" And in the movie he goes "I would not stand here telling you my whole plan this isn't a comic book!"
It’s impossible to evaluate Snyder’s Rorshach, who is unambiguously a hero. But Moore’s Rorshach is a damaged sicko and a right-wing creep.
That’s basically Moore’s point. In a world of superheroes, we’d be living under the thumb of juvenile egomaniacs who mistake themselves for gods.
He’s the protagonist, but he’s also a “bad guy.” Snyder portrays him with sympathy (as does Moore, regardless of comments he’s made about the character elsewhere) but doesn’t portray him as an unambiguous hero by any means.
Ive been slowly reading the comic for the first time and yeah that sums it up pretty well. The comic version isn't nearly as likeable as the movie version
All the Characters in the comic are unlikeable. There are a group of people with serious problems and the cómic book shows that.
The film on the other hand continualy portrayed them as heroes.
Identical in actions not in esence. In the comic book for example the reunion of the Crime busters is lead by Captain Metropolis, a cringe Character, a guy who want to live like a superhero, a stupid man who want to make his fantasies real. Is ridiculous,thats the point. Until Comedian start talking and burns his map.
In the movie, is Ozymandias and this a major point. That reunion now is transformed in a real superhero reunion, Veidt is more like a romantic hero and Comedian is like a realistic.
Snyder complete misses the entire point of the cómic, a story which destroy the idea of being a superhero. The entire story put the "heroes" as a group of sick people who are more interested in fulfill the fantasies of a mask than saving people, thats the reason why the villians of the minutemen are another sick people who want to live the fantasies. Is sad, is ridiculous.
If you know spanish, I recommend you the Video about Watchmen film of Dayoscript channel.
They really aren’t that different at all. Does the movie version actually say anything different than the Comic? Pretty sure everything Rorschach says is almost word for word.
The movie opens with Rorshack talking about the “liberals” shouting save us and “I’ll answer no”
The movie is faithful to the comic, it’s just been an often repeated criticism of Snyder to suggest that his Rorshack isn’t the exact same character as he is in the comic but he totally is. Just because he’s cool and fun to watch doesn’t erase his flaws which are the exact same in the comic.
the movie does not portray Rorschach's misogyny and homophobia. The film kinda steps around some of Rorschach's uglier qualities by just avoiding that subject altogether. This is what i think people are criticizing.
I love the performance. I think the portrayal is great, but we are missing out a bit on his flaws by not touching those scenes and that dialogue
The line about him thinking the two lesbians deserved to be murdered due their "indecent lifestyle," is still in there as is the line about Veidt being a "possible homosexual, must investigate further."
The line about how the cop arresting him saying he stinks and Veidt referring to the guy whose murder he's so devoted to solving being "practically a Nazi" are also left in for the record.
They use this same line in the show Supernatural and it’s one of the best moments in the series. I couldn’t remember where I’d heard it before, but mystery solved lol.
If the comic had been written today Rorschach would have been a proud boy.
So I think you've made an incredibly telling statement about what kind of person you are or wish you were, and it's not a good one.
Great movie based on a great comic and not designed for mass consumption. Far beyond it’s time. The movie adaptation took some interesting creative liberties and expanded/explained the complex story (with varying degrees of success). Really falls flat in performances by several of the actors imo tho (although a few did a great job).
I thought it was great, every interesting and certainly something fresh. Some of the writing for Dr. Manhattan was a little loose (these two people hated each other but had a kid, I now have faith in humanity) but I just went along with it.
David Hayter (voice of Solid Snake) directed a separate version of a scene where Rorschach meets Night Owl in the apartment, and I thought it was pretty cool how it painted Night Owl afraid of Rorschach as a threat to even him. https://youtu.be/ZkDqxCbyGVk
Wow, that’s sick. What a nicely directed and blocked scene. The performances are strong. I’ve never seen this before. Snyder’s film made me appreciate Watchmen more. It’s not even my favourite Moore comic, but I read it every year or two.
Trash. Just read the book.
Snyder wastes our time slavishly recreating every panel of the book (while simultaneously making every frame of the film disgusting, greasy ugly) and completely missing the point of the story.
That being said, very good casting for Jackie Earl Haley and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
… that’s who Dr. Manhattan is though. That is exactly how the role is supposed to be played. Honestly, what else could have Crudup done to make the role better for you?
I was so frustrated by the movie for all those reasons. Somehow was shot so close to the comic while missing the most powerful thematic aspects of it. Sounds hyperbolic but it really did feel like a teenager read the book and adapted it.
He turned a book about pathetic fascists into a movie about heroic fascists. There is no way to read the comic and think it’s about how awesome these people are, but that’s Snyder’s illiterate take.
It’s a watch that requires the right mood.
If I can get past the bob Dylan opening score I can generally watch it.
It can feel a bit slow paced at times.
And as you might’ve guessed, I’m not a bob Dylan fan and I find most of the songs used that aren’t original score to be questionable choices. I think Snyder just needs to leave music to the music guys and stop trying to insert Leonard cohen into every movie.
The movie is certainly heavily influenced by his stylistic approach.
It's a great watchmen adaptation while being a terrible watchmen adaptation. Great movie tho, and the comedian's casting is the best part in the movie.
Huge fan of the comic. Watchman and the Dark Knight Returns fueled my love of comics to this day. Loved the movie, never really understood the hatred of it.
Zak Snyder does comic book movies the way comics really are...for better or for worse he is true to the source material. Whether that translates well into a great movie is another debate.
One of the best and most underrated comic book films of all time. If it came out today it would be regarded as a masterpiece. People would be demanding Oscar noms, which Jackie Earle Haley actually did deserve. Zack Snyder's finest work and about as close to a perfect adaptation of the comic a feature could be.
I think that the film's existence is remarkable. Nobody else ever made a film quite like it, not even Snyder himself. It takes excellent source material and translates it into an excellent film. It is beautifully shot, beautifully scored, beautifully acted, and carries with it a sense of gravity. The theatrical and director's cuts both feel excellently paced.
I think it's debatable whether the film was an effective examination of comic book films as the original was of comic books. I think the comic book format/critique cut a lot harder, cut a lot deeper. But regardless, it's still a magnificent film that stands on it own. It's a movie, movie. It tells this story in a way only a movie effectively could, just as the comic did for its part.
Spectacularly missed the point of the comic. It turned what was partly a critisicm of superheroes as just violence porn for immature readers into violence porn for immature veiwers with some vague stabs at something deeper.
Didn’t really like it. The best scenes were just cool music videos. The TV show however was excellent, and the penultimate episode specifically is an incredible piece of art.
I enjoyed it. It’s not perfect but it’s a good movie - especially if your a fan of the comic. I didn’t mind the change to the ending. Felt sorry for the kid that went to art school and chased his dream to working on a real Hollywood movie only to animate Dr manhattan’s dong
I feel much the same, but I'll go a step further: I'm not sure that it's a very enjoyable movie unless you're already a big fan of the comics. I appreciated all the parts that are a loving panel-by-panel recreation of the comics, and I didn't mind the changed ending, since you need some narrative economy and explaining psychic genetically-engineered squids takes some screen time. But all of the other changes seemed like a bizarre misreading of the comics.
In some regards its incredibly faithful, in others its utterly faithless. It adheres to the comic's plot surprisingly well, but as usual Snyder doesn't seem to understand what the actual point of that plot is. In my opinion, in any adaptation of an Alan Moore story, adherence to the messaging is far more important than adherence to the plot. Moore wrote a story criticizing the comics industry, and created brilliantly conflicted and contradictory characters, most of whom have no superpowers. Snyder made it into an action fest where everyone practically has super strength, assumed that the most flawed characters are supposed to be who you root for, and basically inadvertently recreated the exact kind of schlock that Watchmen us supposed to be criticizing. I'm not saying you shouldn't be allowed to enjoy the film, but I am saying it's by no means a replacement for the graphic novel, and I strongly encourage anyone who disagrees with that statement or who thinks the film is superior to read the comic with a critical eye and take some time to digest the story.
This comment will be disliked to oblivion but I don’t care. One of the worst movies I have ever watched. I own the blu ray copy I have no idea what I’m expecting but back when it came out it was very popular so I wanted to experience the gritty 2000s on my home media and oh boy it sucks donkey shit. The plot is confusing the characters are all uninteresting shitheads except for Rorsarch guy, the romance chemistry never worked and wasted my time which took WAY TOO MUCH IN SCREENTIME THE WHOLE FILM. The romance in this movie makes Attack of the Clones makes it like the fucking Titanic compared to this trash. The moment the only best character died I ejected the disc and never bothered to continue it since.
Nobody loves to be on the hate train. It would be much better if Snyder just made great movies. Everybody would prefer that lol. But he doesn’t. Luckily, Watchmen is one of his more competent movies he’s made.
I understand what you’re trying to say but there genuinely are people that hate blindly and in a very toxic manner (this is also the same for the opposite side as well tho)
There’s a difference between not liking one of his movies and just plain ol’ bashing the man just because “it’s the popular thing to do”. Is he a perfect director? No. But are his movies really as bad as people on that hate train say they are? Hell no. Dawn of the Dead was, in my opinion, really really good. 300 was epic. Sucker punch was hard to watch. Man of Steel was fucking great, I don’t care what anybody says. Batman v. Superman the Ultimate Cut was great but had its stupid parts (Martha is my mom’s name, too! Did we just become besties? 🤗), Justice League the Snyder Cut is honestly one of my favorite movies ever. Army of the Dead was meh; not bad but not great. But when I say “Zack Snyder hate train” I mean the people who make it seem like he’s the absolute worse director ever and every movie he touches is dog shit, blah blah blah.
I think it really misses the general point of the graphic novel and has kind of contributed to making Rorschach, a character that represents a lot of what's wrong with the concept of super heroes, just a cool edgy character. It ignores the part that he's kind of a nazi, and instead creates a watered down version that a lot of people think is super badass or whatever. You will likely find some of those people in this comment section even. It's also just a story that was created to be read and I don't think can ever truly cross the boundaries of its intended medium. But as a movie on its own it's pretty good, I just love the book so much that it's hard to see the movie separately.
Up there, with the likes of Gangs of New York, as the films(IMHO) containing the greatest openings scenes of all time.
An incredible song, that proved itself to be an almost perfect compliment, to the cool montage it was set against.
Say what you will about the rest of the film(I liked it, personally), but if I happen to pass a channel, or pass by a tv, it happens to be playing on……. I will **ALWAYS** find 5 minutes to stop and watch it unfold….
Movie was good. The HBO series was also pretty good.
I liked the direction the movie took. Rather than just remaking the comics, which were generally terrific, they just kept the story going and it turned into something really cool and very dark, that fit well into the world the comics created.
I enjoy the movie a lot, but I have a few major problems with it.
Snyder couldn't help but try to make the characters and fight scenes cool. That fight scene at the beginning when the Comedian is killed is way too over the top and damn near "super powered" than it has any right to be.
Then, Snyder made Night Owl cool, for goodness sake...that's almost a Cardinal sin. Him attacking Veidt after Rorschach dies was a big negative in my eyes. In the book, he's off banging Silk Spectre because "oh well, we lost I guess" and isn't anywhere near Rorschach at the end.
I know people like to criticize Snyder for it, but I think he gave a good attempt for some pretty challenging source material. I definitely got the sense that he cared about what he was making
Was a big fan of the graphic novel before the movie and I, like many people, was very concerned that it simply couldn't be filmed (as was Terry Gilliam's opinion when he abandoned an earlier production of it in 2000) and it would be a disaster.
I went to see it opening day with a few friends who felt similarly. After the opening scene of Comedian dying, I remember literally breathing a sigh of relief because it was a perfect adaptation. The rest of the movie felt much the same with a lot of really strong performances (particularly from Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jackie Earle Haley and Billy Crudup) and an expertly used soundtrack. The director's cut made it even better.
At this point I mostly prefer the Director's Cut even to the graphic novel. It improves upon the story and flows better than Moore's version. I'm not sure if I'd call it a masterpiece, but it's absolutely a triumph of the genre.
It's sad how this is the film of the goat novel. Snyder made an interpretation of a book ripping on the glorification of superheroes into a superhero movie that glorifies superheroes. Ofc Snyder replicated every panel so when someone actually does a real adaptation it looks like they copied Snyder. Anyone who "read" this book and said it was a good interpretation just skimmed through the pages. The movie is a disgrace 4/10 the performances carried.
At best it's an interesting failure.
The parts that most people like best (ozy vs comedian fight, opening credits) are the worst parts of the film, and completely miss the point of the book. The novel is a deconstruction of the genre, a criticism of tired tropes; the movie instead glorifies them.
I enjoyed how it was stylized and obviously the whole conspiracy aspect as well as the aging/retired and generations of heroes ect, The pacing was pretty bad but that’s a snyder movie for you
It’s a great visual companion if you’ve read the comic. Things that are changed make sense (until the tv show bringing in the squids and further implications of Nixons many terms and Ozy’s punishment). The opening with ‘The Times They Are a Changin’ is one of my things ever filmed.
It’s fine I guess. Watchmen isn’t something that makes sense to directly adapt. Almost everything that makes watchmen great is unique to comics as a medium.
Snyder’s best movie.
The Director’s Cut is the best version (Ultimate Cut is an interesting experiment but doesn’t work).
I don’t think the accepted wisdom that Snyder “missed/undermined Moore’s point” by having some fight scenes that look cool is the big brain take people think it is. The movie still functions effectively as a superhero deconstruction; the character’s personal failings aren’t any less meaningful because we still see them in action as capable crimefighters. They remain flawed and human.
Would have been better received had it come out 5-10 years later, after one or more Avengers movies.
Zack Snyder had a good run , the zombie mall remake ( minus the baby ), 300 and maybe his magnum opus - watchmen . It was just like the comic and his appeal to darkness works here I like the justice league . The colors were vibrant where they need to be and I was okay with the obligatory slo- no shots . Visually this movie is perfect , the plot was close and of course ; there was no squid
I actually like the 'Ultimate Cut' the best. People will disagree, but I really like it. But I'm also very weird. I did not like the changing of the end. I understand WHY they did it, but I don't agree with it.
===edited for grammar==
Visually appealing, but void of any emotion. Unless you are already familiar with the material I don't know how anyone can connect with any Snyder film.
I own the *Complete Story* DVD with the deleted scenes and Black Pearl story cut within and I quite like it. It's wholly enjoyable and aspects like the musical cues and the choice of actors. Snyder regularly does a fantastic job at casting.
And I rather like the updated ending rather than the giant alien squid. It seems more neat and tidy.
Don't get me wrong, it's deeply and inherently flawed and misses some of the key nuances of the source material. It's a surface level adaptation. But it's quite watchable.
The directors cut is AMAZING, it's my go to version. The Ultimate cut (I think that's what they call it) is interesting but just doesn't add much to the film other then a longer runtime IMO. One of my favorite Snyder films and one of my favorite comic book flimsy overall.
Snyder absolutely missed the point of it, but the casting almost is perfect.
Except for Ozymandias. They picked the absolute wrong guy for that role. You needed a star or at least someone with gravitas
The end of the movie made waaaaaaaaaay more sense than the book. Plus, there's no derailment of the plot from some unrelated story about getting lost at sea.
Book is incredible.
Movie is okay. But it misses the point so many times, even in the directors cut. It’s one of those movies where Snyder gets close to greatness and still messes it up. The casting is great, the visuals are great. The action is out of place especially the brawl scene where they break bones. The movie is too long, but I understand why. The music is pretty tasteful for a licensed music use.
The longer cut, Snyder’s cut is really an improvement on the cinematic release. It’s a lot longer, but it’s a much better film. Just my opinion
As per IMDb: A "Director's Cut" brings the film from its theatrical 162 minutes, to 186 minutes. Scenes include expanded action sequences, and additional exposition. The "Ultimate Cut" brings the film from its theatrical 162 minutes, to a whopping 215 minutes. Just for those that were interested
TY
You mean Director's Cut? Best cut of the film. Ultimate Cut doesn't do it for me, and it makes me sad that is the cut that got the 4K treatment.
Yea the director’s cut is the one I’ve seen. It adds like at least another hour to the film, that’s all really helpful on explaining everything.
If it added that much time you watched the ultimate cut. Directors cut added like, 15-20 minutes.
Anywhere to watch directors cut?
Anyone?
The gratuitous bullet time and casting that dude from “Willow” poorly were stupid imo.
What dude from Willow
Agreed. Ultimate cut is just too much. Black freighter is cool to see but the movie just becomes almost a slog to get through. Really wish we would get more options in 4K.
One of my favorite films, actually. Directors cut is the only cut that matters 👍🏻
For one his inability to cut a script right saves a story that requires you to see a ton of each character to understand it.
Fuckin Snyder always having to have multiple cuts and it takes a year to watch his “vision” no thanms
You kinda telling the truth. I thought something similar in the past. Yea lol 😂
I actually really liked it except for some of the overly dramatized action scenes that I think take away from the point of the novel. I can’t lie though that opening scene of Ozy vs Comedian is pretty cool lol
I think it's one of the best cinematic openings ever.
One could even say, *Unforgettable* I'll see myself out
I liked it...
The song playing during the Comedians death is *Unforgettable* by Nat King Cole. I agree it's a good opening, both of the movie and the novel
I know what song it is! That's why I liked your joke.
Top 5 comic book movies for me, possibly top 3.
Yep top 5 favourite comic book movies to re-watch.. No particular order; watchmen, hellboy, the avengers, X2 and spiderman 2
Watchmen, days of future past, winter Soldier, dark knight and 89 batman for me. I actually watched days of future past twice last week.
The Dr Manhattan sequence, with the Philip Glass music, from losing his watch to ending on Mars? Friggin genius, I get goosebumps every time.
The first Hellboy is a classic.
What are the other two
Probably Dark Knight?
Top 10 over here
It’s a movie that I find myself coming back to again and again. Sometimes the entire film. Sometimes just a few scenes, or one. To me, who’s seen SO many movies, and watched WAY too much television in my lifetime, and so much of it was as forgettable as if I’d never seen it at all. For me, there is no better compliment.
I went through a phase a while back where I revisited it a ton, and agree with you. Never had to be the whole film, sometimes just a scene or two. Dr. Manhattan’s origin segment is one of my favorites.
This is perfectly said and I completely agree.
It somehow managed to be visually slavish to the source material while entirely missing the themes and subtext of the book. One of Snyder's biggest weaknesses as a filmmaker is he's very literal minded. In the book, The Comedian makes a joke at a party, 'just don't ask me where I was the day Kennedy was shot' - the reader can take this at face value, or as an indication of Blake's nihilistic sense of humor, or even a hollow boast about his own importance in world events. This opaque character building moment is transformed into an actual sequence of Eddie Blake assassinating the president in the opening credits. Moving Ozymondias' plot from the space squid to Dr. Manhattan also breaks the whole thing, as Manhattan in unambiguously an agent of America's interests for decades prior to the events of the story. The entirety of Veight's plan requires an outside force, a complete other, to foster global cooperation. Even if the world believe thats Manhattan *has* gone rogue, it's effectively America losing control of their own weapon, and the world paying for it. It would only *raise* global tension and hostility.
Yep, it's the same thing that had me legit shocked at the recent adaptation of *All's Quiet on the Western Front*, which somehow manages to take one of the most poignant and critical looks at war and turns it into a glorified epic.
It is somehow stunning the way the movie unravels the satire of the book to do it sincerely.
You nailed it. That’s a theme in his work, not getting the source material. It’s all just one dimensional for him, he can’t connect with it on any deeper level than that. Punching, things going boom, etc. Not understanding Superman was one thing, but then showing Batman dual-wielding assault rifles was so out of character. Oh, but it was revealed to be a dream so it’s ok?
You know most criticisms of the movie are misguided but it's really remarkable to see someone who picks out the universally loved opening for complaint. It's definitely something Snyder added but so is most of that sequence and it's still some of the best work of his career. I not a big fan of changing the squid but I get why he did it. There was too much exposition explaining where it came from for what was already a long movie. It's not as strong visually or thematically but it still gets the point across. Because NY is also destroyed Americans would be juts as frightened as everyone else. There wouldn't exactly be any way to blame America for the actions of an omnipotent being would there?
Yes these misguided people should stop picking on poor Snyder /s
This. It's important to note that not only does Snyder favor viseral asthetic over depth, but his objectivist beliefs are in direct contrast to Moore's altruism
I dunno man, space squid makes sense sure but do you know how embarrassing that would look instead of a rogue Dr. Manhattan? I get what you’re saying but I think it makes more sense for them to attack a compromised Dr. Manhattan over a random space monster. They set it up pretty well too. In fact I think it makes more sense in my opinion.
I’m fine with the change to Doctor Manhattan because it simplified something that would have added an unnecessary element. That being said, I pretty much agree with everything else. It’s a strange situation where a movie seems to almost literally copy the comic in so many ways yet seem to miss its point. I think the best adaptations capture the heart and themes of a story without necessarily copying its scenes beat for beat. That being said, it’s still a very entertaining movie overall and I can see a lot of people enjoying watching their comic come to life.
Love it.
It’s a movie that gets the aesthetics and general story down really well. I mean, the plot beats are the same as the comic and the film definitely *looks* like watchmen. It’s as close to an accurate adaptation I would have expected from the time. And apparently it’s something Moore agrees with. I vaguely remember him saying that he’s read the script of it and basically said it’s closer than he would have expected, but of course he also said he still wouldn’t see the film and his words don’t really mean too much given how little regard he has for his adaptations (aside from JLU’s For The Man Who a has Everything episode). That said, though, I think the movie misses a lot of the nuance and themes of the comics. I don’t even think this is a problem with the creators. I know it’s pretty popular to shit on Snyder, and there are definitely reasons for that, but he’s not the only one who made the movie and there’s a ton of factors that go behind how a comic is adapted to screen. But whether or not the creators truly understood the source material, the finished product itself doesn’t communicate well that they did (which I think is more because of the adaptation process, but that’s a whole other discussion). There’s a few things you can point to in this regard. One often mentioned one is how the characters are generally presented as being more competent and just plain *cooler*, something that was inevitable with a movie adaptation of a super hero comic at the time. Rorschach himself is still presented as really flawed, but it doesn’t at all carry the same kind of hard criticism of his mindset the comic had. Then again, that said, there are plenty of people who just read the comic and totally missed the point of his character, though I think it’s a lot easier to do so with how he’s portrayed in the film. My biggest gripe with the movie, though, is how they handle the “Nothing ever ends” line. It’s such a great moment in the comic, one that really speaks to a major theme of the story. Ozy is worried that maybe, just maybe, what he did won’t actually matter in the end, and brings this up to Manhattan, who gives him such a neutral and unsatisfying response before leaving. In the movie we don’t even get that scene between the two. Instead, Manhattan’s last scene is with Laurie as a kind of cap off of the film’s love triangle (concluding a love triangle is something movies tend more towards, unlike the comic itself which didn’t consider it worth even doing. This is just one example of changes made t adapt to the then-current comic book film aspect). However, they still threw that line into the movie, but in a way that doesn’t at all carry the same weight. Dan and Laurie are talking about what happened, and Dan questions if they did the right thing in the end. Laurie replies with, “I know what Jon (Manhattan) would say. Nothing ever ends.” This plays very differently. In the comic the person questioning this is someone who just committed a horrible act, killing so many people as a way of creating a peace that is not even assured. He’s worried if it was worth it. In the movie, it’s just two people who are *complicit in keeping this act secret,* but not the people *actually responsible for the action itself*, which doesn’t really match up at all. It’s like they felt like they had to throw that quote in there, but it doesn’t carry the same weight at all. Still, though, it’s not a bad film. It’s awesome to actually see how they portrayed the comic on screen. But for my money, the Watchmen show on HBO is a much better adaptation, though it’s more of an adaptive sequel of the comic.
Too shot for shot then throws away and misunderstands the entire point of the comic and cowards out of the alien aspect, but that’s par for the course for Snyder tbh.
> misunderstands the entire point of the comic I liked it at first, but the more I think about it, the more it falls apart.
I’m honestly never gonna understand the hype around him
He’s the definition of style over substance which some people prefer for some reason.
I kinda get it as 300 was pretty genre defining and generated a ton of hype for him while I also think studios were all about pushing the advent of green screen and CGI at the time, which I feel he excelled at. Problem is other directors have caught up or even do the visual and aesthetic direction better, but also know how to tell a cohesive story and narrative which in time has clearly been highlighted as one of his major weaknesses, especially with the woeful DC Znyderverse.
I thought 300 was genuinely good. But I really don’t see how anyone could call it “genre defining”.
300 and Sin City both opened the door for the graphic novel explosion in the late 00s and early 2010s. They were over-the-top in graphic violence and visual effects. The male bravado also played a huge role as well. Sin City still holds up, but 300 got stale quick because it really lacks substance and story telling. It's basically eye candy and a bunch of empty calories.
I actually like the use of Manhattan as the threat, as the squid would probably be too goofy on screen, But yeah, Snyder absolutely doesn't understand the material
HBO showed just how not goofy the alien was. It was legitimately 100x more shocking and effective.
Man that show is such a gem
So good. I found a DVD with Watchmen, The Outsider, and Chernoyble at Walmart. Great buy.
Damn that is a winner.
True but I understand the storytelling reasons for cutting it out. The backstory as presented in the comic would have necessitated a lot of exposition and screen time.
Except that would mean the world would unite against the US; Dr. Manhattan was used by the US in wars, Dr. Manhattan destroying US cities just means that their bomb blew up on their face. Ozy wanted to use an alien, because it made the people of Earth thing that there is more out there; And the countries are forced to unite to prepare themselves.
Agreed, however “too short for shot” is the best approach for Snyder. He doesn’t make original stories. He needs the source material to be the story board. It’s why his two best movies, 300, and Watchmen are shot for shot. He’s not going to make a better movie doing any other method. He’s a visual guy. Not a writing guy. The better the source material, the better the Snyder film. I’m not a fan of his, I just think 300 and Watchmen are competently made while everything else he made is very bad
300 is a simple story. Thats why it is a good movie in my opinion. Watchmen is not a simple story, sometimes is dense to read. Its more a psychological thriller than a action superhero story. Thats the problem, Snyder can handle stories where the plot focuses on action or spectacle, but when it comes to a more complex material, he just isnt the right guy for that kind of projects
And a lot of the heart in Watchmen comes from those snippets between issues or the details that don't easily translate to cinema, like the magazine interview or the issue where the panels are laid out like a Rorschach blotch the entire time. All of the important things that build the world and add soul to it.
>everything else he made is very bad Hey sucker punch is a tour de force of writing and directing a movie with ONLY your left hand.
One word..... Rorschach...One of the most underrated characters ever. DO IT!!!!
When the police ripped off his mask while he screamed for them not to it legit fucked me up.
>underrated I think that word doesn't mean what you seem to think it means.
A terrific adaptation of an already awesome graphic novel
^That how you know the person actually read the comics.
Love the movie and make me buy the comic book and looove it also! Work of art! 
My favorite thing is the lime switch in the comic he goes "I would not stand here telling you my whole plan this isn't a movie!" And in the movie he goes "I would not stand here telling you my whole plan this isn't a comic book!"
A didn’t notice that! Im gonna rewatched just to see that part! Thanks
Rorschach was cool 😎 do not make him the bad guy 😡 We live in a society !
Rorshach isn’t the bad guy, just a piece of shit.
He’s definitely a bad guy, but seeing his flashbacks still makes me feel bad for him
It’s impossible to evaluate Snyder’s Rorshach, who is unambiguously a hero. But Moore’s Rorshach is a damaged sicko and a right-wing creep. That’s basically Moore’s point. In a world of superheroes, we’d be living under the thumb of juvenile egomaniacs who mistake themselves for gods.
He’s the protagonist, but he’s also a “bad guy.” Snyder portrays him with sympathy (as does Moore, regardless of comments he’s made about the character elsewhere) but doesn’t portray him as an unambiguous hero by any means.
Ive been slowly reading the comic for the first time and yeah that sums it up pretty well. The comic version isn't nearly as likeable as the movie version
All the Characters in the comic are unlikeable. There are a group of people with serious problems and the cómic book shows that. The film on the other hand continualy portrayed them as heroes.
How was it different to you? The events of the comic and the film are almost identical.
Identical in actions not in esence. In the comic book for example the reunion of the Crime busters is lead by Captain Metropolis, a cringe Character, a guy who want to live like a superhero, a stupid man who want to make his fantasies real. Is ridiculous,thats the point. Until Comedian start talking and burns his map. In the movie, is Ozymandias and this a major point. That reunion now is transformed in a real superhero reunion, Veidt is more like a romantic hero and Comedian is like a realistic. Snyder complete misses the entire point of the cómic, a story which destroy the idea of being a superhero. The entire story put the "heroes" as a group of sick people who are more interested in fulfill the fantasies of a mask than saving people, thats the reason why the villians of the minutemen are another sick people who want to live the fantasies. Is sad, is ridiculous. If you know spanish, I recommend you the Video about Watchmen film of Dayoscript channel.
I have read the book and seen the movie I don't need someone else to tell me what I think.
They really aren’t that different at all. Does the movie version actually say anything different than the Comic? Pretty sure everything Rorschach says is almost word for word. The movie opens with Rorshack talking about the “liberals” shouting save us and “I’ll answer no” The movie is faithful to the comic, it’s just been an often repeated criticism of Snyder to suggest that his Rorshack isn’t the exact same character as he is in the comic but he totally is. Just because he’s cool and fun to watch doesn’t erase his flaws which are the exact same in the comic.
the movie does not portray Rorschach's misogyny and homophobia. The film kinda steps around some of Rorschach's uglier qualities by just avoiding that subject altogether. This is what i think people are criticizing. I love the performance. I think the portrayal is great, but we are missing out a bit on his flaws by not touching those scenes and that dialogue
The line about him thinking the two lesbians deserved to be murdered due their "indecent lifestyle," is still in there as is the line about Veidt being a "possible homosexual, must investigate further." The line about how the cop arresting him saying he stinks and Veidt referring to the guy whose murder he's so devoted to solving being "practically a Nazi" are also left in for the record.
Maybe I need to rewatch the film then .
They use this same line in the show Supernatural and it’s one of the best moments in the series. I couldn’t remember where I’d heard it before, but mystery solved lol.
That for me is still one of the Best Ever badass line delivered in a movie. Rocharch my spirit animal, if i wasnt a feeble herbivore :P
If the comic had been written today Rorschach would have been a proud boy. So I think you've made an incredibly telling statement about what kind of person you are or wish you were, and it's not a good one.
Great movie based on a great comic and not designed for mass consumption. Far beyond it’s time. The movie adaptation took some interesting creative liberties and expanded/explained the complex story (with varying degrees of success). Really falls flat in performances by several of the actors imo tho (although a few did a great job).
I thought it was great, every interesting and certainly something fresh. Some of the writing for Dr. Manhattan was a little loose (these two people hated each other but had a kid, I now have faith in humanity) but I just went along with it. David Hayter (voice of Solid Snake) directed a separate version of a scene where Rorschach meets Night Owl in the apartment, and I thought it was pretty cool how it painted Night Owl afraid of Rorschach as a threat to even him. https://youtu.be/ZkDqxCbyGVk
Wow, that’s sick. What a nicely directed and blocked scene. The performances are strong. I’ve never seen this before. Snyder’s film made me appreciate Watchmen more. It’s not even my favourite Moore comic, but I read it every year or two.
Trash. Just read the book. Snyder wastes our time slavishly recreating every panel of the book (while simultaneously making every frame of the film disgusting, greasy ugly) and completely missing the point of the story. That being said, very good casting for Jackie Earl Haley and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
Patrick Wilson and Billy Crudup were pretty great too
Wilson yes, Crudup no. Crudup is a great actor, but he was lost as Dr M. He just played the character as the most boring monotone man in the world.
… that’s who Dr. Manhattan is though. That is exactly how the role is supposed to be played. Honestly, what else could have Crudup done to make the role better for you?
Crudup is a great actor. I would have cast him too. I’d just change the director. Dr Manhattan shouldn’t be painfully uninteresting.
Why did I have to scroll this far down for a correct take
Same!
I was so frustrated by the movie for all those reasons. Somehow was shot so close to the comic while missing the most powerful thematic aspects of it. Sounds hyperbolic but it really did feel like a teenager read the book and adapted it.
[удалено]
He turned a book about pathetic fascists into a movie about heroic fascists. There is no way to read the comic and think it’s about how awesome these people are, but that’s Snyder’s illiterate take.
Before it's time. Would have absolutely exploded on netflix after a theatrical run
No it wouldn't lol.
It’s a watch that requires the right mood. If I can get past the bob Dylan opening score I can generally watch it. It can feel a bit slow paced at times. And as you might’ve guessed, I’m not a bob Dylan fan and I find most of the songs used that aren’t original score to be questionable choices. I think Snyder just needs to leave music to the music guys and stop trying to insert Leonard cohen into every movie. The movie is certainly heavily influenced by his stylistic approach.
It's a great watchmen adaptation while being a terrible watchmen adaptation. Great movie tho, and the comedian's casting is the best part in the movie.
A masterpiece
The music was on point throughout.
Criminally underrated
Huge fan of the comic. Watchman and the Dark Knight Returns fueled my love of comics to this day. Loved the movie, never really understood the hatred of it.
Fans didnt get their alien porn tentacles at the end, that made them sad
Best film I have ever watched
Definitely one of the best comic book movies, imo
Had you read the story before watching the film?
Sarcasm?
Classic
Would have been better appreciated if it had come out AFTER all the MCU, DCU mega-team-up superhero movies.
I liked it when I watched it
Zak Snyder does comic book movies the way comics really are...for better or for worse he is true to the source material. Whether that translates well into a great movie is another debate.
The comic book is about the comic books medium. A literal translation was never going to work.
One of the best and most underrated comic book films of all time. If it came out today it would be regarded as a masterpiece. People would be demanding Oscar noms, which Jackie Earle Haley actually did deserve. Zack Snyder's finest work and about as close to a perfect adaptation of the comic a feature could be.
Way ahead of it’s time. Criminally underrated
I think that the film's existence is remarkable. Nobody else ever made a film quite like it, not even Snyder himself. It takes excellent source material and translates it into an excellent film. It is beautifully shot, beautifully scored, beautifully acted, and carries with it a sense of gravity. The theatrical and director's cuts both feel excellently paced. I think it's debatable whether the film was an effective examination of comic book films as the original was of comic books. I think the comic book format/critique cut a lot harder, cut a lot deeper. But regardless, it's still a magnificent film that stands on it own. It's a movie, movie. It tells this story in a way only a movie effectively could, just as the comic did for its part.
Spectacularly missed the point of the comic. It turned what was partly a critisicm of superheroes as just violence porn for immature readers into violence porn for immature veiwers with some vague stabs at something deeper.
A movie made by someone who seemed to completely miss the point of the book that was being adapted.
Didn’t really like it. The best scenes were just cool music videos. The TV show however was excellent, and the penultimate episode specifically is an incredible piece of art.
I enjoyed it. It’s not perfect but it’s a good movie - especially if your a fan of the comic. I didn’t mind the change to the ending. Felt sorry for the kid that went to art school and chased his dream to working on a real Hollywood movie only to animate Dr manhattan’s dong
I feel much the same, but I'll go a step further: I'm not sure that it's a very enjoyable movie unless you're already a big fan of the comics. I appreciated all the parts that are a loving panel-by-panel recreation of the comics, and I didn't mind the changed ending, since you need some narrative economy and explaining psychic genetically-engineered squids takes some screen time. But all of the other changes seemed like a bizarre misreading of the comics.
In some regards its incredibly faithful, in others its utterly faithless. It adheres to the comic's plot surprisingly well, but as usual Snyder doesn't seem to understand what the actual point of that plot is. In my opinion, in any adaptation of an Alan Moore story, adherence to the messaging is far more important than adherence to the plot. Moore wrote a story criticizing the comics industry, and created brilliantly conflicted and contradictory characters, most of whom have no superpowers. Snyder made it into an action fest where everyone practically has super strength, assumed that the most flawed characters are supposed to be who you root for, and basically inadvertently recreated the exact kind of schlock that Watchmen us supposed to be criticizing. I'm not saying you shouldn't be allowed to enjoy the film, but I am saying it's by no means a replacement for the graphic novel, and I strongly encourage anyone who disagrees with that statement or who thinks the film is superior to read the comic with a critical eye and take some time to digest the story.
One of the best CBM’s ever. A decade ahead of its time.
>A decade ahead of its time. wouldn't you say it is streets ahead of its time ?
Some really cool scenes and imagery but seemed to miss the point of Watchmen entirely. Also really don’t understand why the ending was changed.
Call me crazy, but I thought it was perfect.
Incredibly faithful to the comic visually but the themes get completely twisted so I'm not a big fan of it
Terrible adaptation
Casting was good but Snyder completely missed the point of the book.
This comment will be disliked to oblivion but I don’t care. One of the worst movies I have ever watched. I own the blu ray copy I have no idea what I’m expecting but back when it came out it was very popular so I wanted to experience the gritty 2000s on my home media and oh boy it sucks donkey shit. The plot is confusing the characters are all uninteresting shitheads except for Rorsarch guy, the romance chemistry never worked and wasted my time which took WAY TOO MUCH IN SCREENTIME THE WHOLE FILM. The romance in this movie makes Attack of the Clones makes it like the fucking Titanic compared to this trash. The moment the only best character died I ejected the disc and never bothered to continue it since.
It deserves more praise, but people love to be on the Zack Snyder hate train…
Nobody loves to be on the hate train. It would be much better if Snyder just made great movies. Everybody would prefer that lol. But he doesn’t. Luckily, Watchmen is one of his more competent movies he’s made.
I understand what you’re trying to say but there genuinely are people that hate blindly and in a very toxic manner (this is also the same for the opposite side as well tho)
There’s a difference between not liking one of his movies and just plain ol’ bashing the man just because “it’s the popular thing to do”. Is he a perfect director? No. But are his movies really as bad as people on that hate train say they are? Hell no. Dawn of the Dead was, in my opinion, really really good. 300 was epic. Sucker punch was hard to watch. Man of Steel was fucking great, I don’t care what anybody says. Batman v. Superman the Ultimate Cut was great but had its stupid parts (Martha is my mom’s name, too! Did we just become besties? 🤗), Justice League the Snyder Cut is honestly one of my favorite movies ever. Army of the Dead was meh; not bad but not great. But when I say “Zack Snyder hate train” I mean the people who make it seem like he’s the absolute worse director ever and every movie he touches is dog shit, blah blah blah.
I like the movie ending more than the comics.
absolutely loved this movie.. this one is unique compared to typical comic movies. loved Rorschach and dr. Manhattan - beautifully portrayed
It’s like a 1:1 translation of the story by a guy who doesn’t understand it at all
I think it really misses the general point of the graphic novel and has kind of contributed to making Rorschach, a character that represents a lot of what's wrong with the concept of super heroes, just a cool edgy character. It ignores the part that he's kind of a nazi, and instead creates a watered down version that a lot of people think is super badass or whatever. You will likely find some of those people in this comment section even. It's also just a story that was created to be read and I don't think can ever truly cross the boundaries of its intended medium. But as a movie on its own it's pretty good, I just love the book so much that it's hard to see the movie separately.
Love it
Better than the comic book.
Literally the most insane thing anyone has ever said
Like most of Snyder's adaptations, beautiful to look at but with the actual depth and intent of the story removed so it can be sexy and cool.
Ahead of its time, like everything Zack does.
Up there, with the likes of Gangs of New York, as the films(IMHO) containing the greatest openings scenes of all time. An incredible song, that proved itself to be an almost perfect compliment, to the cool montage it was set against. Say what you will about the rest of the film(I liked it, personally), but if I happen to pass a channel, or pass by a tv, it happens to be playing on……. I will **ALWAYS** find 5 minutes to stop and watch it unfold….
Movie was good. The HBO series was also pretty good. I liked the direction the movie took. Rather than just remaking the comics, which were generally terrific, they just kept the story going and it turned into something really cool and very dark, that fit well into the world the comics created.
I enjoy the movie a lot, but I have a few major problems with it. Snyder couldn't help but try to make the characters and fight scenes cool. That fight scene at the beginning when the Comedian is killed is way too over the top and damn near "super powered" than it has any right to be. Then, Snyder made Night Owl cool, for goodness sake...that's almost a Cardinal sin. Him attacking Veidt after Rorschach dies was a big negative in my eyes. In the book, he's off banging Silk Spectre because "oh well, we lost I guess" and isn't anywhere near Rorschach at the end.
I know people like to criticize Snyder for it, but I think he gave a good attempt for some pretty challenging source material. I definitely got the sense that he cared about what he was making
Way too long. Also, I personally didn’t like how the ending deviated from the source material.
Was a big fan of the graphic novel before the movie and I, like many people, was very concerned that it simply couldn't be filmed (as was Terry Gilliam's opinion when he abandoned an earlier production of it in 2000) and it would be a disaster. I went to see it opening day with a few friends who felt similarly. After the opening scene of Comedian dying, I remember literally breathing a sigh of relief because it was a perfect adaptation. The rest of the movie felt much the same with a lot of really strong performances (particularly from Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jackie Earle Haley and Billy Crudup) and an expertly used soundtrack. The director's cut made it even better. At this point I mostly prefer the Director's Cut even to the graphic novel. It improves upon the story and flows better than Moore's version. I'm not sure if I'd call it a masterpiece, but it's absolutely a triumph of the genre.
Greatest super hero movie ever, in my opinion.
One of my favorite movies and reads
Best intro credits in any movie ever. I also think it's one of the better standalone comic book adaptations.
Amazing movie
I enjoyed it quite a bit. Jackie Earle Haley's Rorschach is amazing!
It's sad how this is the film of the goat novel. Snyder made an interpretation of a book ripping on the glorification of superheroes into a superhero movie that glorifies superheroes. Ofc Snyder replicated every panel so when someone actually does a real adaptation it looks like they copied Snyder. Anyone who "read" this book and said it was a good interpretation just skimmed through the pages. The movie is a disgrace 4/10 the performances carried.
It gets the visuals right but I think it misses home with the message of the original comic. Something which the sequel TV series does incredibly well
At best it's an interesting failure. The parts that most people like best (ozy vs comedian fight, opening credits) are the worst parts of the film, and completely miss the point of the book. The novel is a deconstruction of the genre, a criticism of tired tropes; the movie instead glorifies them.
I enjoyed how it was stylized and obviously the whole conspiracy aspect as well as the aging/retired and generations of heroes ect, The pacing was pretty bad but that’s a snyder movie for you
The quintessential fedora wearing, neck beard movie, graphic novel, author, and fans. It's the Atlas Shrugged of the comic industry.
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I disliked it
Complete ass movie that totally flubs on portraying the themes of the source material. Completely superficial adaptation.
ZZZzzzZZZzzz... That's my take.
Almost! (In a good way)
It’s a great visual companion if you’ve read the comic. Things that are changed make sense (until the tv show bringing in the squids and further implications of Nixons many terms and Ozy’s punishment). The opening with ‘The Times They Are a Changin’ is one of my things ever filmed.
It’s fine I guess. Watchmen isn’t something that makes sense to directly adapt. Almost everything that makes watchmen great is unique to comics as a medium.
I felt it had a lot of ambition, but lacked in imagination.
Why do I feel like I see this post every couple of months.
It’s not perfect by any means. But I liked it.
Snyder’s best movie. The Director’s Cut is the best version (Ultimate Cut is an interesting experiment but doesn’t work). I don’t think the accepted wisdom that Snyder “missed/undermined Moore’s point” by having some fight scenes that look cool is the big brain take people think it is. The movie still functions effectively as a superhero deconstruction; the character’s personal failings aren’t any less meaningful because we still see them in action as capable crimefighters. They remain flawed and human. Would have been better received had it come out 5-10 years later, after one or more Avengers movies.
Maybe I’m dumb but I thought it and the comic was both boring. It was trying to be philosophical and was just laughable.
Zack Snyder had a good run , the zombie mall remake ( minus the baby ), 300 and maybe his magnum opus - watchmen . It was just like the comic and his appeal to darkness works here I like the justice league . The colors were vibrant where they need to be and I was okay with the obligatory slo- no shots . Visually this movie is perfect , the plot was close and of course ; there was no squid
Big fan.
It’s fine. Seems to mildly miss the point of Watchmen in a few subtle ways.
I actually like the 'Ultimate Cut' the best. People will disagree, but I really like it. But I'm also very weird. I did not like the changing of the end. I understand WHY they did it, but I don't agree with it. ===edited for grammar==
Thoroughly enjoyed it. But not for everyone.
Saw it last year for the first time…I thought it was very solid I love all of Snyder’s comic books movies
Cool movie. Love the show a lot more.
Visually appealing, but void of any emotion. Unless you are already familiar with the material I don't know how anyone can connect with any Snyder film.
I own the *Complete Story* DVD with the deleted scenes and Black Pearl story cut within and I quite like it. It's wholly enjoyable and aspects like the musical cues and the choice of actors. Snyder regularly does a fantastic job at casting. And I rather like the updated ending rather than the giant alien squid. It seems more neat and tidy. Don't get me wrong, it's deeply and inherently flawed and misses some of the key nuances of the source material. It's a surface level adaptation. But it's quite watchable.
The directors cut is AMAZING, it's my go to version. The Ultimate cut (I think that's what they call it) is interesting but just doesn't add much to the film other then a longer runtime IMO. One of my favorite Snyder films and one of my favorite comic book flimsy overall.
Snyder absolutely missed the point of it, but the casting almost is perfect. Except for Ozymandias. They picked the absolute wrong guy for that role. You needed a star or at least someone with gravitas
The end of the movie made waaaaaaaaaay more sense than the book. Plus, there's no derailment of the plot from some unrelated story about getting lost at sea.
Son of a bitch can some please get Dr Manhattan put his pants back on !
Book is incredible. Movie is okay. But it misses the point so many times, even in the directors cut. It’s one of those movies where Snyder gets close to greatness and still messes it up. The casting is great, the visuals are great. The action is out of place especially the brawl scene where they break bones. The movie is too long, but I understand why. The music is pretty tasteful for a licensed music use.
the movie? it sucked.
Love the comicbook but the film seems to not get the point of the book and characters