Set in an alternate universe, during the year of 1985, Watchmen revolves around an unstable world where nuclear war is imminent between America and Russia. Superheroes, once a powerful mainstay in society, have been forced into retirement thanks to the government's Keene Act.
This act, invoked to help protect innocent civilians, has torn the superhero world apart. As a result, many have been forced to adapt to normal, unadventurous lives. However, when The Comedian is brutally murdered, a new interest in the superhero becomes evident; most notably in one of the country's most notorious lawman, Rorschach.
Played by Jackie Earle Haley, Rorschach quickly becomes the film's most interesting character, and as a result, its leading protagonist. And while he is surrounded by a heap of brilliant talent, all of which acceptable performances, it is Haley that takes the nearly three hour film on his back, keeping it interesting and alive during the long, drawn out stretches of character and story development.
Still, those stretches were noticeable, and the film hurts as a result. But more than the film's boring stretches, other factors make it a hard one to suggest. For starters, very few superhero films can survive a running time of just under three hours. Secondly, the film contains a hard R-rating, a rarity for the genre. And third, Watchmen is over-committed to the original comic books, alienating many fans during certain parts, ultimately leaving them to fend for themselves.
Thankfully, director Zack Snyder, most known for his amazing visionary work with 300, brings forth a film full of stellar visuals and crisp adrenaline-filled action. The fight sequences, fast paced and intense, are presented with a ruthless, almost inhumane approach. The nudity, a regular occurrence throughout the film, is done with unnecessary beauty, often taking away from the film's overall effects, becoming a focus in and of itself. And one cannot forget the character portfolios that are presented and then dissected throughout the rest of the film. Their inner emotions are toyed with, leading up to an expected, though highly entertaining and intellectually stimulating concluding sequence.
Regretfully, the film drags on for two or three minutes more, leading one to believe that if this film is successful, as it rightfully should be, there will undoubtedly be a sequel. And while I was not a fan of the comic book series, nor was I highly anticipating or overly pleased with the final product, I would go see another flick - for in the world of superheroes, three hours is simply not enough.
