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[yodandy]

Just got back from this after knowing barely anything about it (just that it was a graphic novel by the 300 guy, and uh, same director right?, and that it was about kinda superheroes)

so yea, total watchmen noob, but

LOVED IT, really liked the CG (except for the cat thing), characters (Rorschach is so badass (

Spoiler

cant believe he died

), and story. Could have done with less blue peen though, and more Malin Akerman bewbs.

Will be reading the graphic novel after my roomate is done with it.

 

[JayDubya]

Just that it was a graphic novel by the 300 guy, and uh, same director right?

Heh, no.

Alan Moore is decidedly not Frank Miller.

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

i don't think Alan Moore ever gave a shit about how much money it was going to make. I don't think his problem with the movie was ever "Don't make it cause it won't make money!"

Yeah, he just doesn't want any of his work turned into any other media, blockbuster or not, so in that affect the closest thing to praise you'll ever get out of him was that he thought the screenplay is the closest he imagined anyone would get to Watchmen.

 

[yodandy]

Heh, no.

Alan Moore is decidedly not Frank Miller.

Ahh sorry, I was a bit fuzzy, same director, yet still both graphic novel to movie adaptations. Gotcha.

 

[Shao Kahn Brewing a Stew]

Watched it today with different group of friends. They all made fun of me of being such a Watchmen fan. When they were done watching the movie, they were all blown away. Everyone had a question to ask. I answered all the questions as best as I could and they want to borrow my copy of the GN now. So many people to lend, so little time

 

[Flynn]

i don't think Alan Moore ever gave a shit about how much money it was going to make. I don't think his problem with the movie was ever "Don't make it cause it won't make money!"

His beef with DC is about money in a way. He's always butted heads with them regarding creator's rights and ownership. He believes that they've bilked him out of the rights to many of the characters and stories he helped create.

There's a history of this practice in comics all the way back to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

 

[LCfiner]

Not sure if this has been reported (can't really look back a few pages since my PC is running slow due to uploading files to a FTP server) but the film made an estimate $55 million this weekend. Projections had it in the $70 million range from analysts... . Sad to see that the massive marketing campaign didn't work out as great as they wanted it to.

Analysts project Race to Witch Mountain to overtake it next week with Watchmen losing half its audience next week.

If I am to assume that it won't have long legs, then DC Comics won't be making its money back with its theatre run and Alan Moore will be saying "I told you so" all day long.

Devin on CHUD talked about this and I happen to agree.

What kind of analyst thinks a 3 hour long, R rated movie with a small built-in audience and very little mainstream appeal is gonna hit 70 million opening weekend? those predictions were insanely optimistic and not grounded in reality.

Batman Begins didn't hit 70 mil on the opening weekend, for heavens sake.

I think it's amazing a movie this long and R rated made over 50 in the first place.

 

[White Man]

Wrote the screenplay-- not the same thing at all.

His screenplay was also extensively rewritten by Kubrick. There's allegedly not much of the Nabokov script left in the film, iirc. I love the book and the movie. They're both great in their own ways.

 

[Xeke]

Wow that was the longest most poorly explained movie I've ever seen. The pacing was awful and those were some terribly choreographed fights.

 

[Sharp]

Devin on CHUD talked about this and I happen to agree.

What kind of analyst thinks a 3 hour long, R rated movie with a small built-in audience and very little mainstream appeal is gonna hit 70 million opening weekend? those predictions were insanely optimistic and not grounded in reality.

Batman Begins didn't hit 70 mil on the opening weekend, for heavens sake.

I think it's amazing a movie this long and R rated made over 50 in the first place.

It definitely doesn't have great word of mouth, though. Dropoff this week is going to be steep as fuck.

 

[LCfiner]

It definitely doesn't have great word of mouth, though. Dropoff this week is going to be steep as fuck.

Most flicks drop off around 50% for the second weekend, I believe. I think they'd be freaked out if it drops more than 60%.

I'm not predicting anything, btw. I have no idea what's gonna happen next week.

 

[Hellion]

http://thehq.tv/watchmen-opening-title-sequence/

Hard to find

 

[MilesWebber]

Never read the GN and saw it last week.

I liked the story but what I liked MORE was the alternate timeline of Nixon being in office for, what, like 8 terms? It's like the world never left the 70s. Also the social commentary is important for people in their early/mid 20s (like myself) who really never lived through the cold war and whatnot. At least it gave me perspective. anyone else?

 

[zaccheus]

1. sex scene sucked
2. it didn't feel like the eighties
3. other than that, awesome.

 

[SCULLIBUNDO]

I hope the director's cut has Hayter's alternate version of Manhattan's breakdown as it was originally scripted:

DR. MANHATTAN
I don't wish to answer any questions.

RANDOM NEWSMEN
You see the future! Did you know in advance --

LIAISON
The Doctor will not answer your questions. Now STEP
ASIDE!!

The LIAISON and his boys form a wedge in front of DR. MANHATTAN, but
the mass of bodies and microphones is all but impenetrable.

RANDOM NEWSMEN
How long have you known -- why is the government concealing this
information --

DR. MANHATTAN
Please get out of my way.

DR. MANHATTAN spots Dreiberg enter the studio - Laurie right behind him. Manhattan disappears and re-materialises above everybody, standing atop the studio light scafold on the ceiling.

DREIBERG
Jon! Don't do it!

DR. MANHATTAN
And you can tell Hollis Mason that my last words were... I'm on drugs.

The audience erupts in cheers as BILLY CRUDUP dives into the sea of people.

 

[Flynn]

2. it didn't feel like the eighties

That's a really interesting point.

Also: What the fuck is this crap?

 

[legend166]

I'd never even heard of Watchmen until about July last year, and I just saw it. I didn't really like it at all. Here are some thoughts:

Spoiler

- There's really only one enjoyable character, and he ends up being killed.

- Other than Roarshach, I didn't care for any of the characters. They gave me no reason to. It was supposed to be some big emotional reveal that The Comedian was what's-her-faces father, but I didn't care. He's an evil wanker, and she's just an annoying whore.

- Night Owl is an annoying pussy.

- Dr. Manhattan, oh man. What were his motivations in this entire film? He apparently has no connection to humans and sees himself as above them, but spends 20 years trying to stop war? I didn't buy the fact that he couldn't stop all the nukes in the first place. He seems to be able to replicate himself whenever he wanted, grow to any size, but he couldn't stop the nukes?

- That's another thing, the whole threat of nuclear war never felt real. And since that was the entire basis for the plot, there never felt like there was any weight to the characters decisions.

- The sex scene was obviously horrible. I mean, really, really horrible.

Also, someone said earlier in this thread that Manhattan was the only one who actually had powers. WTF? Is that right or was he insane?

 

[Dabanton]

Why are people, usually teenage boys so affronted by Dr. Manhattan penis?

The amount of mentions of it are bizzare.

 

[starchild excalibur]

I'd never even heard of Watchmen until about July last year, and I just saw it. I didn't really like it at all. Here are some thoughts:

Spoiler

- There's really only one enjoyable character, and he ends up being killed.

- Other than Roarshach, I didn't care for any of the characters. They gave me no reason to. It was supposed to be some big emotional reveal that The Comedian was what's-her-faces father, but I didn't care. He's an evil wanker, and she's just an annoying whore.

- Night Owl is an annoying pussy.

- Dr. Manhattan, oh man. What were his motivations in this entire film? He apparently has no connection to humans and sees himself as above them, but spends 20 years trying to stop war? I didn't buy the fact that he couldn't stop all the nukes in the first place. He seems to be able to replicate himself whenever he wanted, grow to any size, but he couldn't stop the nukes?

- That's another thing, the whole threat of nuclear war never felt real. And since that was the entire basis for the plot, there never felt like there was any weight to the characters decisions.

- The sex scene was obviously horrible. I mean, really, really horrible.

Also, someone said earlier in this thread that Manhattan was the only one who actually had powers. WTF? Is that right or was he insane?

You should really read the graphic novel. It's impossible to cram all the information and insanely difficult to achieve the entire mood of the book even in an almost 3 hour film. If you flesh out the thread of nuclear war then something equally important gets cut if you want to keep it within a certain running time.

Spoiler

Just because dr. manhattan can replicate doesn't necessarily mean he can replicate an infinite number of times. And if we're talking about 20 nukes being launched simultaneously, is it so unbelievable that one gets past his defenses?

Dr. Manhattan is still human in a way. Despite the fact that his mind and body have changed doesn't mean that he feels devoid of any emotion or connection to his past. It's not unbelievable to help people out because you know it's right even if you may not be entirely able to feel that it is. It's also not unbelievable that he stayed with the peers and friends he grew up having feelings for in an attempt to reclaim some of the humanity that was lost in the accident and feel attached to something. Hell, that's why he stayed with Laurel for as long as he did and was drawn to her even after undergoing the change.

I agree that the sex scene was dumb. Snyder seems to be a fan of goofing them up (in Watchmen and in 300)

I'm not saying that reading the GN will change your opinion of the film, but it'll definitely key you into more of the characters motivations that weren't fully fleshed out in the film either due to a lack of directorial talent, allotted running time or a combination of both.

 

[Phaethon0017]

Why are people, usually teenage boys so affronted by Dr. Manhattan penis?

The amount of mentions of it are bizzare.

Seriously. First thing my friend did when he saw it opening night was rant about how much "blue floppy c*ck" he saw. Made it seem like a huge deal, but if you aren't looking for it I don't see how you can notice it. Must've been sitting in the front row of the IMAX. Thank God for his sake it wasn't in 3D :lol.

 

[Prime crotch]

Why are people, usually teenage boys so affronted by Dr. Manhattan penis?

The amount of mentions of it are bizzare.

Well, it is sad that the only piece of nudity we see in a R-rated movie with two sex scenes is a CGI dick.

 

[Aegus]

Well, it is sad that the only piece of nudity we see in a R-rated movie with two sex scenes is a CGI dick.

I saw breasts...

 

[Prime crotch]

I saw breasts...

Where? A side boob maybe, if I recall.

 

[Flynn]

You poor youngsters. In the olden days an R-Rating mean that titties were damn-near guaranteed.

 

[Buckethead]

That's a really interesting point.

Also: What the fuck is this crap?

Yeah.

When I was at the movie before the previews started they showed ads for Watchmen themed popcorn, hotdogs, etc.

I thought: "nothing says moral commentary and social relativism more than a Watchmen themed combo meal!".

 

[Prime crotch]

You poor youngsters. In the olden days an R-Rating mean that titties were damn-near guaranteed.

The American T&A comedy genre is a dying breed, a sad state of affairs when all we get are countless straight-to-dvd American Pie sequels.

 

[fistfulofmetal]

Maybe your theater screen was a little dark because I got a clear view of Malin Akerman's Swedish breasts.

 

[Flynn]

The American T&A comedy genre is a dying breed, a sad state of affairs when all we get are countless straight-to-dvd American Pie sequels.

You forget that every action movie stopped by a strip bar. At least once.

Hell, even if the picture was dead serious at least one scene would start with the protagonist in bed, post shag.

No wonder cock trips these kids up. The only place they see skin is in porn.

 

[Buckethead]

The American T&A comedy genre is a dying breed, a sad state of affairs when all we get are countless straight-to-dvd American Pie sequels.

Except the original American Pie movies were actually funny and had a decent amount of traditional morality thrown in for good measure in each three.

Bad movies are bad movies. Hollywood just quit trying.

Edit: Also what Flynn said.

 

[Uncle]

Where? A side boob maybe, if I recall.

In the sex scene. Also on the video wall. And on the street when the prostitute approaches Rorschach.

 

[YYZ]

So did Ebert read the GN or is his review based on the movie alone? I have no problems with it, I'm just curious. Wondering what kind of mindset he had going into the movie.

 

[Kipe]

So did Ebert read the GN or is his review based on the movie alone? I have no problems with it, I'm just curious. Wondering what kind of mindset he had going into the movie.

No, but I think he's planning on reading Watchmen after people kept pestering him about it on his blog.

 

[fallengorn]

That's a really interesting point.

Also: What the fuck is this crap?

The set photographer is good friends with Snyder and co-owns an organic coffee company.

 

[JayDubya]

So did Ebert read the GN or is his review based on the movie alone? I have no problems with it, I'm just curious. Wondering what kind of mindset he had going into the movie.

I don't believe he had any familiarity with it; based on his review, I'd surmise that the four star rating is due to adoring the Dr. Manhattan content.

 

[Battersea Power Station]

What was wrong with the sex scene?

 

[Prime crotch]

You forget that every action movie stopped by a strip bar. At least once.

Hell, even if the picture was dead serious at least one scene would start with the protagonist in bed, post shag.

No wonder cock trips these kids up. The only place they see skin is in porn.

True, even Beverlie Hills Cop had a tittie bar, and that was hardly an action movie.
I think Wrestler is the only recent big name movie that I recall having a tittie bar with actual titties shown, none of this "I don't do nudity because it says so on my contract".

Except the original American Pie movies were actually funny and had a decent amount of traditional morality thrown in for good measure in each three.

Bad movies are bad movies. Hollywood just quit trying.

Edit: Also what Flynn said.

eh? I wasn't saying anything about the American Pie originals, which were hilarious back in the day, but about the crappy new sequels with Stiffler's cousin, and just about any Stiffler's relative they can come up with

 

[Keylime]

What was wrong with the sex scene?

Some people don't like seeing male ass thrusting.

Some people don't like the Hallelujah song playing during it.

I thought it was fine, but would potentially change the music a bit. The music made it more comical than I think it should have been, but perhaps that scene was always meant to be a bit light hearted.

...I mean a guy is no longer impotent because he gets to wear his superhero outfit. Pretty ridiculous :lol

 

[Flynn]

What was wrong with the sex scene?

Not sexy.

 

[SpeedingUptoStop]

I'm not sure the film got across that Manhattan slowly became more detached over time since he got his powers. The flashback sort of tried, but not really.

 

[Keylime]

I'm not sure the film got across that Manhattan slowly became more detached over time since he got his powers. The flashback sort of tried, but not really.

I think it does, but not as clearly as the GN.

The incident with the blue-man almost-orgy starts it, but his monologue on Mars solidifies it fairly well, I thought.

 

[Meier]

I went on Friday night and it lived up to all my expectations. I felt like the squid/bomb change was the right move for a film audience. I think it probably could have been trimmed length-wise another 15-20 mins or so, but if they'd removed much more then they would risk losing the purists. I think Snyder did an excellent job and my friend who originally lent me the book loved it as well.

 

[SpeedingUptoStop]

I think it does, but not as clearly as the GN.

The incident with the blue-man almost-orgy starts it, but his monologue on Mars solidifies it fairly well, I thought.

I gotta say, the way Manhattan and Spectre were making out on the roof in that flash back was some kind of weird "God meets girl" high school drama camera angle.:lol Manhattan looked like a dork, man.

 

[Keylime]

I gotta say, the way Manhattan and Spectre were making out on the roof in that flash back was some kind of weird "God meets girl" high school drama camera angle.:lol Manhattan looked like a dork, man.

It's weird, but now that you mention it that kind of accurately describes how I felt when I saw it :lol

 

[Dabanton]

I gotta say, the way Manhattan and Spectre were making out on the roof in that flash back was some kind of weird "God meets girl" high school drama camera angle.:lol Manhattan looked like a dork, man.

I quite liked that shot,Malin looked smoking

 

[Ignatz Mouse]

Local redio reviewer liked it a lot, clearly unfamiliar with the source.

For all the fuss that's been made about "purist fanboys" or peoplr unfamiliar with the book being lost, it seems that the reviews are split not by familiarity, but rather along the lines of people who found it thought provoking vs people looking at the overall craft.

 

[Conrad Link]

I dunno anything about the GN, I do enjoy the world they created though. I wish to read it now after seeing the movie.

The only thing I don't understand, plan seems a bit flawed, maybe I don't really 'get it'.

Spoiler

So he kills millions of people, millions, to make the world be happy and work together and not launch nukes.... that seems a terribly hefty price to pay for something that is pretty much bound to last couple of months tops. :lol

The smartest man in the world couldn't figure that? He should know humans are the worst, be back fighting in no time, some power hungry, money wanting greedy people will want something and invade someone else soon enough and it all starts over again.

Then what? Kill millions more again after they just rebuilt everything? :/

Now it was a long movie and a lot to take in, so like I said, am I just not getting it?

 

[Father_Brain]

I think it's amazing a movie this long and R rated made over 50 in the first place.

A $50 million+ opening weekend, while not guaranteed, really is not that hard to achieve if the film in question has a massive and effective marketing campaign (check) and opens on 3000+ screens (check).

The second and third weekends are far better indicators of how audiences are actually receiving a film, rather than just responding to hype. And on that, I doubt it'll fare that well.

 

[Keylime]

I dunno anything about the GN, I do enjoy the world they created though. I wish to read it now after seeing the movie.

The only thing I don't understand, plan seems a bit flawed, maybe I don't really 'get it'.

Spoiler

So he kills millions of people, millions, to make the world be happy and work together and not launch nukes.... that seems a terribly hefty price to pay for something that is pretty much bound to last couple of months tops. :lol

The smartest man in the world couldn't figure that? He should know humans are the worst, be back fighting in no time, some power hungry, money wanting greedy people will want something and invade someone else soon enough and it all starts over again.

Then what? Kill millions more again after they just rebuilt everything? :/

Now it was a long movie and a lot to take in, so like I said, am I just not getting it?

Nah, you got it, but when you consider that the world more or less would have ended or been massively transformed by the actions that were about to take place, you have to do something if you're in Ozy's place.

 

[Conrad Link]

I have to agree also, they did a terrible job of making it feel like the 80s, didn't feel like that at all. I know its 'alternate' 80s, but still I pretty much never remembered it was the 80s the whole time watching, even after they would say what the date is.

Like I said though, really did love the world they created, I knew nothing about the series AT ALL and immediately got into it. It made me think of The Incredible but with some R rated stuff. :lol That is very cool.

 

[YYZ]

I dunno anything about the GN, I do enjoy the world they created though. I wish to read it now after seeing the movie.

The only thing I don't understand, plan seems a bit flawed, maybe I don't really 'get it'.

Spoiler

So he kills millions of people, millions, to make the world be happy and work together and not launch nukes.... that seems a terribly hefty price to pay for something that is pretty much bound to last couple of months tops. :lol

The smartest man in the world couldn't figure that? He should know humans are the worst, be back fighting in no time, some power hungry, money wanting greedy people will want something and invade someone else soon enough and it all starts over again.

Then what? Kill millions more again after they just rebuilt everything? :/

Now it was a long movie and a lot to take in, so like I said, am I just not getting it?

Well,

Spoiler

Ozy still has the machine to use if things get out of hand and he needs to put people back in their place. Though someone's bound to discover his anarctic retreat someday.