Watchmen (2009)

Director:

Zack Snyder

Writers (WGA):

David Hayter (screenplay) and
Alex Tse (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

6 March 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

This city is afraid of me. I've seen its true face.

Plot:

In an alternate 1985 where former superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach into his own sprawling investigation, uncovering something that could completely change the course of history as we know it.

Plot Keywords:

1985 | Vigilante | Conspiracy | Murder | Investigation

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Malin Akerman	...	Laurie Jupiter / Silk Spectre II
Billy Crudup	...	Dr. Manhattan / Jon Osterman
Matthew Goode	...	Adrian Veidt / Ozymandias
Jackie Earle Haley	...	Walter Kovacs / Rorschach
Jeffrey Dean Morgan	...	Edward Blake / The Comedian
Patrick Wilson	...	Dan Dreiberg / Nite Owl II
Carla Gugino	...	Sally Jupiter / Silk Spectre
Matt Frewer	...	Edgar Jacobi / Moloch the Mystic
Stephen McHattie	...	Hollis Mason / Nite Owl
Laura Mennell	...	Janey Slater
Rob LaBelle	...	Wally Weaver
Gary Houston	...	John McLaughlin
James M. Connor	...	Pat Buchanan (as James Michael Connor)
Mary Ann Burger	...	Eleanor Clift
John Shaw	...	Doug Roth

Also Known As:

Watchmen: The IMAX Experience (USA) (IMAX version)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language. (also director's cut and ultimate edition)

Runtime:

162 min | 186 min (director's cut) | 215 min (ultimate cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #44894) | Czech Republic:15 | Australia:MA | South Korea:18 | UK:18 | Netherlands:16 | Ireland:18 (original rating) | Finland:K-15 | Singapore:R21 | Singapore:M18 (edited for re-rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Ireland:16 (re-rating on appeal) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Germany:16 | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Portugal:M/16 (Qualidade) | Japan:R-15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Brazil:18 | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Norway:15 | Spain:18 | Portugal:M/16 | France:-12 | Iceland:16 | Hong Kong:IIB (cut version) | Hong Kong:III (IMAX DMR version) | Italy:VM14 | Sweden:15 | Argentina:16 | Peru:18 | Mexico:C | USA:R (director's cut) (certificate #45165) | USA:R (Ultimate edition) (certificate #45166) | Denmark:15 | Austria:16 | South Africa:16LV | Chile:18 (original rating) | Chile:Y7 (re-rating)

Filming Locations:

Bloedel Floral Conservatory, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

Early in the movie, as US-USSR tensions escalate, the 1983 song "99 Luftballons" plays. This song by German singer Nena originates from one of her concerts in Berlin, when her guitarist noticed a mass of balloons being released. He wondered if the balloons drifted over the Berlin Wall to the Soviet (East German) side, whether something so innocent could trigger nuclear war. Both the German and English version "99 Red Balloons" were massive hits. The song is now one of the most famous "one hit wonders" in music history as most of Nena's later recordings were only modestly successful.

Goofs:

Factual errors: While fighting SWAT at Moloch's door, Rorschach ignites a policeman with the flammable spray, which really can ignite only light, flammable fabrics, not fire-retardant tactical vests or even ordinary jeans. Rorschach also drags a book of safety matches on the floor to light them, yet these are only combusted and lit when struck on the special striking surface that contains chemicals such as red phosphorus.

Quotes:

Man on Moon: Good luck, Mister Gorsky.

Movie Connections:

Featured in 81st Annual Academy Awards (2009) (TV)

Soundtrack:

The Times They Are A-Changin'

Stays True to the "Big Joke," But This May Confuse Some.

Before anyone sees this film, Zach Snyder should be given a pat on the back. He did what a dozen directors struggled to do for twenty years: he made a Watchmen movie. It seems unthinkable that anyone could properly put the greatest graphic novel of all time on the screen. But Snyder has done pretty much that.

While it is not Alan Moore's Watchmen, it is the closest thing that anyone else could have put on the screen. Snyder approached the material with enough reverence that fans of the comic will appreciate the film. As Snyder has openly declared, the final act does include significant changes, but the alterations that take place fit better on the big screen than the original ending would have. It works because it cuts down on a lot of the necessary back story which Snyder could not include.

Even though many pages of the book were not included, Snyder did take the time to try and preserve other information by including short "historical" sequences in the fantastic opening title sequence. By this point, viewers will also have had a chance to appreciate the stellar, and time appropriate, soundtrack. Unlike the hard rock recordings the Snyder chose for the background of 300, Watchmen's background fits the tone and mood of most of the scenes. The only questionable choice was the selection of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," not because of the recording, but rather its awkward placement. Some may also question Snyder's inclusion of gore not present in the book. While the comic does include it's share of violence, Snyder did overtly change several scenes to be more violent. These changes, while flashy on film, may disturb squeamish moviegoers. However, changes aside, Snyder has captured the essence of the book and packaged it in a beautiful 2 hour and 40 minute delight. Overall, it is a satisfying film experience for someone familiar with the source material.

But this might be a different experience for anyone who does not know the book. There is a lot to digest, and the overwhelming visuals may distract some moviegoers from the bigger picture. The interaction of these unique characters remains an integral point to understanding this film, and when the book was pared down for the movie, the relationships of the masked adventures became a bit more forced. The best part of the comic was the glimpse of what is "beneath the hood," and we have less of that in Snyder's adaptation. Additionally, the ending, while simplified, is still a bit convoluted.

Fans and those previously unfamiliar with Watchmen should go in with an open mind. Snyder has performed what Doctor Manhattan might deem a miracle, so it may take more than one viewing to truly appreciate this unique adaptation.