Who Watches the Watchmen?
We do, apparently. As a disclaimer, I did not read the comics/graphic novel back in the day. The movie worked for me. It was more brutal (and downright gory at points) than I expected. As simple as some of the darker events were for some characters, however, it never actually felt senseless to me. Rather, it felt like a warning. I enjoyed the experience and have been thinking about it a lot, but I don't feel it'll have the impact on me that it did some people who read the original incarnation. Dark protagonists, questionable ideals, and superhero psychology just aren't new to me at this point. Material that once might have been revolutionary feels more dated to me currently.
To say more would get into
- No squid? I've heard a lot about this major event at the end being changed and was curious how it would play out. I was dubious briefly, but as things fell into place it made more sense. I find the threat presented more credible than some sort of giant squid-thing used to represent an alien invasion.
- Bastibus, the genetically-engineered/altered lynx makes an appearance in the movie, but it's so utterly disconnected. I assume in the comic its presence is linked to the engineered/modified squid, but in the movie it's just "poof, Oxymandias has a cool-looking pet all of a sudden." Maybe they could have at least given his action figures a lynx pet, so it wouldn't seem so out of the blue.
- The extensive use of intrinsic field removal/disintegration is a little mind-boggling. This is the accident that gave Dr. Manhattan his powers, right? Wouldn't you be just a little worried about making another one of him?
-Rorschach. Incredible character. Not the sort of person I'd want to be anywhere near or even have running around on the loose. And yet, his unwavering dedication and beliefs have an irresistible charm. I don't actually know whether to credit Alan Moore or Steve Ditko, but I'm impressed either way.
- Dr. Manhattan is a good examination of how a form of ascendancy beyond being mortal can influence someone. Humanity can be hard when you're no longer human.
- I've seen mention that the fight choreography was too "Matrix-y." In my view, some of it was a little awkward, but a sudden slow-down in the action actually made it feel more like it was giving a nod to the original comic book format, and I didn't mind it.
Philosophy
I find myself again facing thoughts about ideals, values, and the price of improving the world.
In Watchmen, one man is willing to sacrifice a major city (in the comics, as I understand) or several (in the movie) to force the rest of the world to peace from the brink of near-annihilation by war. "Kill millions to save billions." Another man hasn't the power to stop it, but refuses to play along. He sees the act as evil, pure and simple, and cannot abide by that no matter what good may come of it.
In one of the books recently, an agent of the land's ruler is sent to ferret out traitors and prevent a full-scale civil war. Her mentor tries to convince her that the revolution is good, that the empire is failing and the only way to save it is a change of regime - and he fully believes this. Someone later tells her something to the effect of "You couldn't go along with that because you know killing the emperor and inciting revolution is wrong, and you know deep down that nothing good can be founded on evil acts." And yet, how many nations in the world came to be because they revolted and fought for it? Can any lasting nation truly be forged and held without the shedding of blood? The very concept seems relatively new in the history of civilization, though I'd definitely have to brush up on my history books to say there's any given time before which it hadn't happened.
Thankfully, I'm not likely to have to weigh lives as sacrifices versus gains anytime in my life. It's purely a matter of academic or fictional consideration.
To say more would get into
- No squid? I've heard a lot about this major event at the end being changed and was curious how it would play out. I was dubious briefly, but as things fell into place it made more sense. I find the threat presented more credible than some sort of giant squid-thing used to represent an alien invasion.
- Bastibus, the genetically-engineered/altered lynx makes an appearance in the movie, but it's so utterly disconnected. I assume in the comic its presence is linked to the engineered/modified squid, but in the movie it's just "poof, Oxymandias has a cool-looking pet all of a sudden." Maybe they could have at least given his action figures a lynx pet, so it wouldn't seem so out of the blue.
- The extensive use of intrinsic field removal/disintegration is a little mind-boggling. This is the accident that gave Dr. Manhattan his powers, right? Wouldn't you be just a little worried about making another one of him?
-Rorschach. Incredible character. Not the sort of person I'd want to be anywhere near or even have running around on the loose. And yet, his unwavering dedication and beliefs have an irresistible charm. I don't actually know whether to credit Alan Moore or Steve Ditko, but I'm impressed either way.
- Dr. Manhattan is a good examination of how a form of ascendancy beyond being mortal can influence someone. Humanity can be hard when you're no longer human.
- I've seen mention that the fight choreography was too "Matrix-y." In my view, some of it was a little awkward, but a sudden slow-down in the action actually made it feel more like it was giving a nod to the original comic book format, and I didn't mind it.
Philosophy
I find myself again facing thoughts about ideals, values, and the price of improving the world.
In Watchmen, one man is willing to sacrifice a major city (in the comics, as I understand) or several (in the movie) to force the rest of the world to peace from the brink of near-annihilation by war. "Kill millions to save billions." Another man hasn't the power to stop it, but refuses to play along. He sees the act as evil, pure and simple, and cannot abide by that no matter what good may come of it.
In one of the books recently, an agent of the land's ruler is sent to ferret out traitors and prevent a full-scale civil war. Her mentor tries to convince her that the revolution is good, that the empire is failing and the only way to save it is a change of regime - and he fully believes this. Someone later tells her something to the effect of "You couldn't go along with that because you know killing the emperor and inciting revolution is wrong, and you know deep down that nothing good can be founded on evil acts." And yet, how many nations in the world came to be because they revolted and fought for it? Can any lasting nation truly be forged and held without the shedding of blood? The very concept seems relatively new in the history of civilization, though I'd definitely have to brush up on my history books to say there's any given time before which it hadn't happened.
Thankfully, I'm not likely to have to weigh lives as sacrifices versus gains anytime in my life. It's purely a matter of academic or fictional consideration.
Gri-chan and I were going to see it this weekend but things came up. I hope to see it soon, though. The level of gore I've heard about bothers me a little bit, though... Not that the comic wasn't gory, but Gri-chan doesn't handle gore all that well unless it's animated. o.o
ReplyDeleteGraphic sex and blue penor too.
ReplyDeleteIn case you haven't seen it, yet, I have the same problem with gore. I found that I knew what was coming well enough to know to look away from the screen. Hope that helps.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you're getting at with the thought about revolutionary-turned-dated. I didn't see it that way, because for me, it was new to see the character who thought of the Big Bad Thing both actually execute it and be willing to die, so long as he knew he'd pulled it off. That made it strikingly different to me. (Then again, I haven't read as much in this genre as you may have).
ReplyDelete