Watchmen Review
From my perspective, Snyder’s Watchmen achieves two goals. It delivers a visually stimulating companion piece for dedicated fans. And it provides a portal for newcomers taking their first tour through Moore and Gibbons’ thought-provoking but pessimistic universe. Their next step should be toward the bookstore, where the definitive version of Watchmen still waits.
It’s somewhat appropriate for director Zack Snyder to accept the challenge of translating Watchmen to film. Like the proud but overmatched Spartans in Snyder’s breakthrough smash, 300, he’s waging a battle that can’t be won. Whatever version he delivers, it will be compared to Moore’s vision — which means it’s likely to disappoint the graphic novel’s uncompromising fan base. Even Moore refuses to endorse any cinematic renditions of his work, believing film, as a medium, can’t do his comic-book story justice…[WorstPreviews]
If you’ve never read WATCHMEN, I’m recommending you wait until after you’ve seen the film. Everyone I’ve spoken to who saw the film as WATCHMEN virgins loved it. And believe me, that was not at all what I was expecting to hear. For all of you first timers, here is a synopsis. Don’t read the spoilers below. WATCHMEN is set in an alternate 1980’s America. Remember the 80’s? Big hair, bad music (no one send me hate mail for that please) and constant fear of nuclear war with the Soviet Union. Well, in the version of the hairspray decade, the tension is still there. But we have a special weapon. Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup). In 1959, scientist Jon Osterman accidentally enters an “Intrinsic Field Subtractor” that disintegrates his body. He is able to rebuild himself with his mind, one cell at a time, as a giant blue (and often naked and well-hung) superman who has incredible abilities and keeps the Soviets at bay. But he’s becoming more and more alien. Nixon is running for a third term and tensions are growing despite Mr. Blue. The streets are getting violent as people wait for the end. The symbolic Doomsday Clock inches closer to midnight and things start to fall apart. But what about our superheroes?… [JOBLO]
No comic book has been the subject of more essays and serious literary discussion than Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ Watchmen. It has been named one of the 100 greatest novels of the past century by Time Magazine. Released 20 years ago, the 12-issue maxi-series was a groundbreaking achievement for comics. Written “for adults,” Watchmen opened the doors for thought-provoking and intelligent comics in the mainstream. Two decades after its arrival, there is still no greater comic book.
In honor of the 20-year anniversary, DC Comics released a $75 oversized hardcover, Absolute Watchmen. For the first time, the series can be enjoyed at a considerably larger size and with completely re-mastered color. Few would argue the brilliance of Moore’s book, but get this — the Absolute Edition makes this epic tale even better. That’s right, the story lauded by critics and loved by fans is now more powerful than any version you have previously read…[IGN]
Watchmen Going IMAX
Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount Pictures International and IMAX Corporation today announced that “Watchmen,” Zack Snyder’s highly anticipated film based on the popular graphic novel will open in 124 IMAX theatres domestically on March 6, 2009, simultaneously with the film’s wide release. The film will also open in 29 IMAX theatres internationally on the same date. Strong advance ticket sales have already been reported and many IMAX theatres are selling out shows through the opening weekend.
Watchmen: The IMAX Experience has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology. This is Zack Snyder’s second IMAX release, following Warner Bros. Pictures’ 2007 blockbuster 300, which broke multiple IMAX box office records during its run.
Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures said:
“The riveting action and stunning special effects in Watchmen look and sound incredible in IMAX”
Andrew Cripps, President of Paramount Pictures International added,
“The IMAX Experience adds an extra level of excitement to an already thrilling movie, allowing moviegoers to make their Watchmen outing a true event.”
Watchmen (Les Gardiens) – Four Clips and International Poster
Four great clips and international poster from the upcoming “Watchmen” film have been released.
It all begins with the paranoid delusions of a half-insane hero called Rorschach. But is Rorschach really insane or has he in fact uncovered a plot to murder super-heroes and, even worse, millions of innocent civilians? On the run from the law, Rorschach reunites with his former teammates in a desperate attempt to save the world and their lives, but what they uncover will shock them to their very core and change the face of the planet! Following two generations of masked superheroes from the close of World War II to the icy shadow of the Cold War comes this groundbreaking comic story – the story of The Watchmen.
The highly anticipated flick is directed by Zack Snyder (of Dawn of the Dead and 300) and is written by David Hayter (The Scorpion King, X-Men, X-Men 2) and Alex Tse. Stars Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
26 New Watchmen Hi-Res Pics
Warner Bros. Pictures has provided us with a new batch of 24 brand new pics from Zack Snyder’s upcoming adaptation of “Watchmen.”
It all begins with the paranoid delusions of a half-insane hero called Rorschach. But is Rorschach really insane or has he in fact uncovered a plot to murder super-heroes and, even worse, millions of innocent civilians? On the run from the law, Rorschach reunites with his former teammates in a desperate attempt to save the world and their lives, but what they uncover will shock them to their very core and change the face of the planet! Following two generations of masked superheroes from the close of World War II to the icy shadow of the Cold War comes this groundbreaking comic story – the story of The Watchmen.
The highly anticipated flick stars Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
And One More Watchmen Poster
Here’s a brand new “Watchmen” IMAX poster promoting the release of the movie. It features a shot of all the characters with Dr. Manhattan standing over them.
The highly anticipated movie stars Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
“Watchmen,” directed by Zack Snyder is currently scheduled to appear in conventional and IMAX theaters on March 6th 2009. For more movie info, trailers, clips, posters and photos go to “Watchmen” FF Movie Page
No More Masks…Watchmen Poster
The final movie poster #2 for Zack Snyder’s upcoming adaptation of “Watchmen” has been released.
The highly anticipated flick stars Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
“Watchmen” will hits theaters nationwide on March 6. [source: TrailerAddict]
For “Watchmen” trailers, clips, photos, posters and more movie info, go to the “Watchmen” movie Page.
Watchmen New Shots
One more photo from “Watchmen” has been unveiled but Empire also has great black and white shots which are the part of a new photo book by Clay Enos.
Check out the stills of Rorschach, The Comedian, Ozymandias, Silk Spectre, Nite Owl and Dr. Manhattan.
Final Watchmen Poster
The final movie poster for Zack Snyder’s upcoming adaptation of “Watchmen” has been released.
A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, Watchmen is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the “Doomsday Clock” – which charts the USA’s tension with the Soviet Union – is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed up but no less determined masked vigilante Rorschach sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion – a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers – Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity…but who is watching the watchmen?
The highly anticipated flick is directed by Zack Snyder (of Dawn of the Dead and 300) and is written by David Hayter (The Scorpion King, X-Men, X-Men 2) and Alex Tse. Stars Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
“Watchmen” will hits theaters nationwide on March 6.
For more movie info, trailers, clips and photos go to “Watchmen” FF Movie Page
New Watchmen TV Spot, Character Features and Photos
A new TV spot, series of 30-second character features about each of the principal characters and several photos for “Watchmen” hit the Internet
In addition, the “Watchmen” viral site TheNewFrontiersman is now filled with some content. The images there are the first of a series of content exclusives to be released through the site, including correspondence, military documents, newspaper and magazine articles, photographs and video reports.
Adapted from Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons‘ comic book series of the same title, “Watchmen” follows superhero-turned-vigilante Rorschach as he investigates the murder of his former colleague and discovers much more than a simple homicide case. Directed by Zack Snyder using script written by David Hayter and Alex Tse, it features the likes of Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Malin Akerman and Patrick Wilson.
Watchmen hits conventional and IMAX theaters on March 6.
Warner Brothers and Fox Settle The Watchmen Suit
The copyright dispute between Warner Bros and Fox that was threatening the release of “Watchmen” has been resolved on Friday morning and request that the case be dismissed.
The Hollywood Reporter:
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but the deal is said to involve a sizable cash payment to Fox and a percentage of the film’s boxoffice grosses; Fox will not be a co-distributor on the film, nor will it co-own the “Watchmen” property, but it will share in revenue derived from it. The studios released a joint statement last night.
“Warner Bros. acknowledges that Fox acted in good faith in bringing its claims, which were asserted prior to the start of principal photography,” the statement read. “Fox acknowledges that Warner Bros. acted in good faith defending against those claims.”
“The matter is fully and finally settled,” Fox’s attorney Louis A. Karasik said after Judge Gary Feess said he had read a lot about the settlement in the newspapers but noted “there is noting in my docket.”
Fox sued Warners in February of 2008, claiming copyright infringement based on agreements the studio had with producer Larry Gordon. Feess ruled on Dec. 24 that Gordon did not secure the proper rights to Watchmen from Fox before shopping the project and eventually setting it up with Warners. Feess’ decision prompted settlement talks to heat up because Warners faced the prospect of an injunction stopping its March 6 release of the $130 million comic book adaptation.
“Watchmen” hits theaters on March 6th, 2009.
For “Watchmen” trailers, clips, photos, posters and more movie info, go to the “Watchmen” movie Page.
