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Ambilvalence becomes appreciation.
Mar. 7th, 2009 11:18 pm( Everything leading up to the midnight release.... )
The opening credits sequence is a stunning kickoff. Set to Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'", it covers the history of the Minutemen and includes flashbacks for specific characters (holy crap, kid Rorschach!); one hell of a collage, beautifully composed, covering small but important events not included within the whole of the film itself.
As for the film itself.... I was left with an overwhelming sense of ambivalence during the end credits. Don't get me wrong: I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it a lot, especially getting to see it with Aurora and Grace. As far as the film goes, I will form my final opinions after the director's cut is released (apparently in theatres!).
Understand, however, that I spent Saturday rereading the graphic novel (yup, the whole book), and I now have a stronger appreciation for what the theatrical cut is compared to its source masterpiece.
The source is far more complex. The source has more to digest. The source is vastly better. But Watchmen the film is still one hell of a movie-going experience, and despite inevitable alterations to dialogue, chronology, which characters are portrayed and how much screen time they receive, how characters interact, and the inclusion of some awkward pieces of music for scenes meant to be dead serious (as well as for scenes that are straight up hilarious), I can say I am pleased with the outcome. I very much look forward to seeing it again over spring break.
Let's just be thankful we've got this cast rather than casts tentatively assembled in the past.
Overall, Snyder's cast is wonderful. Each character is given believable depth, believable faults. Each of them impressed me to some degree, but the two that stood out for me most were Dr. Manhattan and (you knew this one was coming from ten miles away) Rorschach. I do agree with Aurora that Billy Crudup's passive voice seems a bit odd coming from such a godlike Dr. Manhattan (because he is meant to be godlike), but the flatness in his tone of voice, the estrangement from humanity, the intelligent use of CGI to bring him to life.... Brilliant.
Jackie Earle Haley's Rorschach? Fucking phenomenal. I knew Haley would deliver after watching Little Children. The guy can genuinely act with his expressions, even just his eyes, to such an extent that you're blown away by how devoted he is to his portrayal. Add to this prowess his age, height, build, and adopted posture, and he simply IS Rorschach. I was completely entranced whenever Rorschach was on screen. And goddamnit, I think Jackie Earle Haley is gorgeous. <3
Patrick Wilson is perfect as nerdy, lovelorn Nite Owl. Jeffrey Dean Morgan's turn as The Comedian truly showcases the character's brutality while still arousing some sympathy for his plight. Matthew Goode's Ozymandias is Again, the entire cast is commendable.
Tyler Bates' score is lovely and evocative. The soundtrack songs, on the other hand.... Why the hell does "The Ride of the Valkyries" play while Dr. Manhattan is destroying the Vietcong? Just... WHY? Why hadn't only the sounds of warfare been used in that scene? If the song was to be included in the film, it should only have played during Hollis Mason's Under the Hood account of Moe Vernon discovering that his wife had cheated on him, all the while standing awestruck in the door to his office, wearing a pair of foam breasts. Of course, none of Hollis Mason's Under the Hood is in the theatrical cut: that'll most likely be in the DVD for Tales of the Black Freighter. Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence" was a bit too - playful for The Comedian's funeral. Not a cheerful song, of course, but not particularly fitting, in my opinion.
It's late. Need to go to bed. Will continue Watchmen thoughts later. Hurm.
Just know that I am happily and unavoidably re-obsessed with Rorschach. YAY!
GAAAH THOSE EYES! BLUE-EYED RORSCHACH WHEEEEEEEEEE.
The opening credits sequence is a stunning kickoff. Set to Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin'", it covers the history of the Minutemen and includes flashbacks for specific characters (holy crap, kid Rorschach!); one hell of a collage, beautifully composed, covering small but important events not included within the whole of the film itself.
As for the film itself.... I was left with an overwhelming sense of ambivalence during the end credits. Don't get me wrong: I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it a lot, especially getting to see it with Aurora and Grace. As far as the film goes, I will form my final opinions after the director's cut is released (apparently in theatres!).
Understand, however, that I spent Saturday rereading the graphic novel (yup, the whole book), and I now have a stronger appreciation for what the theatrical cut is compared to its source masterpiece.
The source is far more complex. The source has more to digest. The source is vastly better. But Watchmen the film is still one hell of a movie-going experience, and despite inevitable alterations to dialogue, chronology, which characters are portrayed and how much screen time they receive, how characters interact, and the inclusion of some awkward pieces of music for scenes meant to be dead serious (as well as for scenes that are straight up hilarious), I can say I am pleased with the outcome. I very much look forward to seeing it again over spring break.
Let's just be thankful we've got this cast rather than casts tentatively assembled in the past.
Overall, Snyder's cast is wonderful. Each character is given believable depth, believable faults. Each of them impressed me to some degree, but the two that stood out for me most were Dr. Manhattan and (you knew this one was coming from ten miles away) Rorschach. I do agree with Aurora that Billy Crudup's passive voice seems a bit odd coming from such a godlike Dr. Manhattan (because he is meant to be godlike), but the flatness in his tone of voice, the estrangement from humanity, the intelligent use of CGI to bring him to life.... Brilliant.
Jackie Earle Haley's Rorschach? Fucking phenomenal. I knew Haley would deliver after watching Little Children. The guy can genuinely act with his expressions, even just his eyes, to such an extent that you're blown away by how devoted he is to his portrayal. Add to this prowess his age, height, build, and adopted posture, and he simply IS Rorschach. I was completely entranced whenever Rorschach was on screen. And goddamnit, I think Jackie Earle Haley is gorgeous. <3
Patrick Wilson is perfect as nerdy, lovelorn Nite Owl. Jeffrey Dean Morgan's turn as The Comedian truly showcases the character's brutality while still arousing some sympathy for his plight. Matthew Goode's Ozymandias is Again, the entire cast is commendable.
Tyler Bates' score is lovely and evocative. The soundtrack songs, on the other hand.... Why the hell does "The Ride of the Valkyries" play while Dr. Manhattan is destroying the Vietcong? Just... WHY? Why hadn't only the sounds of warfare been used in that scene? If the song was to be included in the film, it should only have played during Hollis Mason's Under the Hood account of Moe Vernon discovering that his wife had cheated on him, all the while standing awestruck in the door to his office, wearing a pair of foam breasts. Of course, none of Hollis Mason's Under the Hood is in the theatrical cut: that'll most likely be in the DVD for Tales of the Black Freighter. Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence" was a bit too - playful for The Comedian's funeral. Not a cheerful song, of course, but not particularly fitting, in my opinion.
It's late. Need to go to bed. Will continue Watchmen thoughts later. Hurm.
Just know that I am happily and unavoidably re-obsessed with Rorschach. YAY!
GAAAH THOSE EYES! BLUE-EYED RORSCHACH WHEEEEEEEEEE.
