Customer Reviews

Watchmen - Director's Cut (2-Disc) [Blu-ray] [2009]

5 star:		(138)
4 star:		(60)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(29)
1 star:		(47)

 

 

There are a lot of very mixed and very long reviews on this one, so I'll keep mine short.
If you like movies, superhero movies, comics or the Watchmen graphic novel itself, BUY THIS DVD.

There's a digital copy, it's a separate disc, the packaging/marketing says 'DIGITAL COPY' all over the place ... but ... in tiny little writing on the back of the case (the really small stuff that nobody ever reads) it has an expiration date! So I finally buy an iPod, excitedly grab my digital copy ... and nothing, I'm too late, nothing I can do ... except write this review of course ;)

This may be the finest Sci Fi / Fantasy film ever made.

It is an utterly breathtaking rendiion of the book, with perhaps a slightly better concept for the ending. Fantastic effects throughout.
While few of the cast are exactly household names, they carry their roles brilliantly, and the extra sequences in this version are worth their inclusion.
Yes, it is hard-edged, but no more than the book, and thankfully it got the 18 rating it deserved.
There are sequences and events that literally take your breath away.
Never have we seen such flawed and therefore honest superheroes.
People have done much less than Jackie Earle Haley's Rorschach and won Oscars.
And in any version of the film, the credits and music are stunning; great to see who really shot JFK.
And yet you may not like it.

What a movie, I saw this in the Cinema when it first come out and this directors cut edition add that little bit more i was looking for. At over 3 hours this film is brilliant, not the regular Superhero film.

Recommended for those who want that little bit more from a film of this genre.

Stylish and exquisite, gritty and brutal is the best way I can describe this movie.

5 Stars for sure!

Watchmen (2-Disc) Special Edition [DVD] [2009] ISBN: B001NGO880 includes

Mind-blowing Special Features:
- The Phenomenon: The Comic That Changed Comics: The Original Graphic Novel's Groundbreaking Impact,
- Immerse Yourself in All 11 Watchmen Video Journals
- My Chemical romance 'Desolation Row' Music Video

I have never read the comic and I am pleased with this as the movie completely blew me away. To be honest, before watching the film version of 'Watchmen' I didnt know what to expect. I had heard some bad reviews, some good reviews and as many indifferent reviews that had me intreagued as to what I would make of it. What I found is that I almost completely forgot that this was a super-hero story. Its very dark with few light-hearted moments, its story is deep and will require a second viewing to completely understand. It's never too predictable and this whole alternate universe sucked me in on many levels. It is also a very interesting story with many characters both complex and flawed. The line between good and evil is certainly blurred and the heroes sometimes seem every bit as bad as the villians.

I wont go into the story but I am aware that this film will not be everybodies 'cup of tea'. Some people will think its is too dark with too many characters and a story-line too complex. However, if your like me and like a story dark with plot-line and characters being deep and thoughtfull; then you should like this a lot. IF however you prefer light-hearted, easy viewing escapism; then maybe you should give this a pass.

For me; this film is easily one of the best 3 comic-to-film adaptations yet, along with Batman Begins and Batman Dark Knight. Its also a better film than any of Frank Millers adaptations to date. Be warned though; this may be a film about super heroe's but in no way is it a childrens film. This is a super hero film for adults only; there is sex, nudity and brutal violence ..... for me, all this is great but its not a film i'd show to a youngster.

A truely excellent film and one of the best I have seen in 2009.

Watchmen was simply perfect,there are those who can be too picky concerning what was not used,how characters/situations were developed in the movie in not the same as the comic,but FORGET ALL THAT!!!.The whole Black Freighter tale had to go(and is coming out on its own DVD anyway)I will not ofcourse spoil the ending but readers of the comic will know it differs from what ends up on the big screen,but again this works perfectly.I cannot fault anything.Brilliant acting,amazing effects,and a script that does credit to its source.Snyder has taken what has been considered unfilmable for three decades and created something very rare in Hollywood,a Loyal, passionate and beautifully crafted Comicbook adaptation.

In a time of political warfare between Russia and The United States, an ex-superhero is murdered which encourages vigilante Rorschach (Haley) to investigate and get back into his superhero ways.

July 2008 and the eagerly anticipated The Dark Knight is released, predictably smashing box office records. Taking the comic book genius and turning it into an enthralling fantasy thriller with sweeping direction and an impressive Oscar winning performance by Heath Ledger. So had we seen the greatest comic book adaptation? Yes, until now.

Superhero films are usually made for family viewing to gain high profits and to be seen by viewers of any age and so we see realism in a constricted context. Sex scenes, violence, blood and drug uses are all limited but Watchmen is brilliant. It is one of very few films in the genre to throw caution to the wind and do what is right in the plot's context. The direction by Snyder does not shy away from anything and has all the right elements to reflect the time of the plot and therefore you feel rewarded for the film's honesty to portray it as it is.

Watchmen, adapted from Alan Moore's graphic novels, hits all the right buttons. Great characters, stunning visuals and a cool collection of action sequences and sophisticated direction. But this is so much more than a superhero flick. It has real life issues and agendas and though the Spider-Man franchise justifies this, Watchmen feels more accurate and appreciative without diving too much into a soap styled genre. For starters we open into a politically stubborn government debating over the threat of war and how it will affect the world. This 2009 picture also looks at the use of superheroes in the community and how the police forces are corrupt and enforcing a stubborn grip on the nation.

Whereas this looks at the nation with reliance on superheroes or vigilantes it does not effectively reflect how the police are affecting the system but looks more into the political agenda of the President's motives and impulses.

Zack Snyder's choices are effectively established to justify that sense of action and crime and when needing to, that intense feeling of a thriller, none more so than a great opening scene with the Comedian.

Sam Raimi and Christopher Nolan have made names for themselves as established directors in the superhero category with Spider-Man and Batman and Snyder uses a fast paced style in comparison but adds a spicy sense of energy through some effective slow down motions that rival the Matrix and in conclusion, makes Snyder a hero for creating arguably the most riveting and surprising superhero film to date.

9/10

Great movie unfortunatly stifled buy the typical screwing we get in blighty.
Wheres the DC guys, this is BlueRay for heavens sake. Why on earth would anyone even bother with this when the US version has an extra 24 minutes of fottage.
I for one will be giving this a miss and getting the US release.
So in short, great film screwed by a poor release.

Recently I have been thinking "god, they don't make classic films anymore". Of course there are exceptions such as 'The Dark Knight' but there are too many brainless blockbusters nowadays to think straight. This is the greatest film I have seen in years. It was like watching 'The Godfather' for the first time: it just had everything! A complete masterwork. The plot seems simple yet isn't. You really have to just the watch the Watchmen (sorry, I couldn't resist haha) to appreciate it.

All the negative reviews are down to this:

A) they didn't understand it
or
B) they didn't read the Graphic Novel
or
C) they prefer the Graphic Novel
or
D) they were expecting your run of the mill crappy Action film

Please give the film a chance. It is very close to the novel but obviously a more cinematic and exciting experience than the novel (but still a good adaption). Amazing, amazing film.