The Watchmen Movie Review

The Watchmen storyline is based on an "alternate look" of the future in which superheroes have changed the course of history due to their involvement in such events as the Vietnam War and the assassination of President Kennedy.

The story begins by showing you the original superhero/vigilante group called The Minutemen, which was established in the 30's & 40's. In the mid 80's The Watchmen were created based on the same principle, to fight crime and injustice.

At this time, Richard Nixon is going on his third term in office (the 2 term limit for Presidency is now abolished) and vigilantism is against the law. The "Doomsday Clock" (which measures the tension between the United States and the Soviet Union) is set at 5 minutes to midnight, which suggests that nuclear war is imminent.

When The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is murdered, Rorschach, (remarkably played by Jackie Earle Haley) who unlawfully remains a vigilante, believes there is a conspiracy to eradicate all Watchmen. He is determined to uncover this murderous plot and asks for help from his remaining crime-fighting friends, Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), Ozymandias (Matthew Goode), Silk Spectre II (Malin Ackerman) and Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson).

When they finally realize who's behind not only the murder but also the initiation of destruction of the world's major cities, the Watchmen are shaken to the core.

The film is directed by Zack Snyder (director of another graphic novel movie, "300"). The special effects and set designs are amazing. The storyline is quite unique. There is however a gratuitous sex scene I could have done without, and did we really need to see Dr. Manhattan's private parts throughout the movie?

I was told by a "comic book expert" that this movie is pretty comparable to the graphic novel it's based upon.

Overall, the movie definitely stirred my interests and made me wonder what the world would be like if The Watchmen really did exist...