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Watchmen
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Photos (see all 235 | slideshow) Videos (see all 33)
Watchmen (2009) -- When an ex-superhero is murdered, a vigilante named Rorshach begins an investigation into the murder, which begins to lead to a much more terrifying conclusion.
Watchmen (2009) -- Nite Owl and Comedian face the crowd.
Watchmen (2009) -- Here's the 12th video journal for Zack Snyder's Watchmen.
Watchmen (2009) -- Director Zack Snyder offers his thanks as production on Watchmen begins.
Watchmen (2009) -- This is a Watchmen trailer that was shown during the 2008 Scream Awards.

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   76,570 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 60% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Zack Snyder
Writers (WGA):
David Hayter (screenplay) and
Alex Tse (screenplay) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Watchmen on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
6 March 2009 (USA) more
Tagline:
This city is afraid of me. I've seen its true face. more
Plot:
When an ex-superhero is murdered, a vigilante named Rorschach begins an investigation into the murder, which begins to lead to a much more terrifying conclusion. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
User Comments:
Stays True to the "Big Joke," But This May Confuse Some. more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Watchmen: The IMAX Experience (USA) (IMAX version)
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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)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
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

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Carla Gugino and Malin Akerman play mother and daughter in this film. They have both also played love interests of Ben Stiller. Gugino played Rebecca Hutman in Night at the Museum (2006) and Akerman played Lila in The Heartbreak Kid (2007). more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: While fighting SWAT at Moloch's door, Rorschach sets one of the policemen on fire with the flammable spray. In reality, such a device will ignite only light, flammable fabrics, not fire-retardant tactical vests or even ordinary jeans. more
Quotes:
Adrian Veidt: [Nixon finishes his speech on Veidt's TVs] Do you see? It's your super powers retreating from war. I've saved the Earth from hell. We both have. This is as much your victory as it is mine. Now we can return. Do what we were meant to.
Rorschach: We were meant to exact justice! Everyone's gonna know what you've done...
Adrian Veidt: Will they? By exposing me, you would sacrifice the peace so many died for today.
Dan Dreiberg: Peace based on a lie.
Adrian Veidt: But peace! Nonetheless.
Jon Osterman: ...He's right. Exposing Adrian would only doom the world to Nuclear destruction again.
Laurie Juspeczyk: No... we can't do this.
Jon Osterman: On Mars, you taught me the value of life. If we hope to preserve it here, we must remain silent.
Rorschach: Keep your own secrets...
[the others look as Rorscach leaves, then Jon and Adrian make eye contact]
[...]
more
Movie Connections:
Features Mad Max (1979) more
Soundtrack:
First We Take Manhattan more

FAQ

Why are there two Nite Owls and two Silk Spectres?
Why does Laurie press the flamethrower button on the owlship in Dan's basement?
What is the symbol on Dr. Manhattan's forehead?
more
438 out of 592 people found the following comment useful:-
Stays True to the "Big Joke," But This May Confuse Some., 3 March 2009
8/10
Author: thebryandavis from New Orleans, Louisiana

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.

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Anyone think The Comedian got what he deserved? WhoopsieThree-D
Do you think that this movie is overrated?..because I do aduftin
Coolest voice on the planet... jaakko-8
The whole Silhouette thing was stupid. friskyporcupine
3-Hour 'DC' Crammed on 1 Disc!? urpick18
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