Watchmen DVD: Review By Paolo Sardinas

Most of the fun that comes out of a graphic novel is usually due to the fact that it's a movie with more details. Those brightly colored, magnificent pages are things to love and enjoy. You almost can't help yourself. Of course this is where most movies based off of graphic novels fall apart. You see just because they may feel or even look like a movie, it doesn't mean they should become one. In fact it usually means they should be locked away somewhere in a secret vault where no one can find them and they will always be sacred. Unfortunately we live in a world in which we have run out of ideas we can't help but have to adapt every single book or TV show there is.

"Watchmen" is one of those graphic novels which should of stayed sacred, but of course money makes the world go round. The original graphic novel was released back in the mid 80's. Of coure it wouldn't be long until somebody just had to make a movie out of it. Well luckily enough, that person just so happened to be Zack Snyder. The "visionary director" who's currently enjoying fame, fortune and glory for his 2007, also a graphic novel, adaptation of "300". I'm pretty sure you've heard of it. Now the lucky part about this is that Snyder is a fellow geek of graphic novels. Of course it takes a geek to make a movie based off of what is practically considered the geek bible.

The film follows around a group of ex superheroes who've been outlawed by the US of A government. Of course once one of their fellow counterparts is gruesomely murdered, the mysterious and terrifcly well played Rorschach belives it's all one plan to kill off all of the costume heroes. What he eventually uncovers is something far more worse then what they had thought. Not the the part of course refers to more than one person seeing as how it's a group of superheroes. These heroes don't obtain any real powers, except for one, just their madding wit and charm.

This incredible "band of brothers" and one sister is made up of some very intriguing characters which at times you just want to hate; other times you just gotta love them. Let's start with the one that's dead. Edward Blake a.k.a The Comedian is the one who puts it all in motion. His death starts this whole conspiracy theory and is actually the most entertaining of these rogue superheroes. The Comedian(Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is an "old timer" whose built like a lion backer. Besides the fact that he doesn't look his age he's definitely been through allot. He also happens to be everyone's favorite sociopath who takees life as one big joke.

The other sociopath is Rorschach(Jackie Earl Haley). The on with the troubled past, hooker mother, and is just an all round bad ass. His wit and cunning ability makes him on the best superheroes of all time. Even though he's more of a vigilante. The only real member with superpowers is Dr. Manhattan played Billy Crudup. Yes the giant blue guy with the giant blue penis. The smartest thing on the planet has a hard time balancing together his love life and his need to be "God". His lover is Silk Spectre/Laurie Juspeczyk played by the gorgeous Malin Akerman. Our final member is the Nite Owl played by Patrick Wilson. He's basically that guy you see at your High School reunion who used to be so great an terrific and is now stuffing his face with little weenies.

All the actors do a truly tremendous job becoming their flawed superheroes which actually are real people. What makes the Watchmen superheroes so different from all the others is the fact that they feel more real and relate able than all the rest of those tired down fake heroes we still love. Their real flawed people who make true mistakes. And no spidey sense or disguises can change that.

Zack Snyder's true adaptation may feel a bit lengthy at times. It almost too noticeable that he tried to cram in so many things into one almost three hour long movie. Theres just too much material for one film. Still he does the best he can. He managed to create a move which, as dragged along as it may feel, still manages to be both fun and entertaining. It's one of the better comic book adaptations to date. Where Watchmen really shines is in the visual effects department. Creating a giant blue man isn't easy but they make it look easy.

While most people who haven't read the book may feel a bit lost in the movie with it's heavy concepts and hidden themes of morality,fan boys have their prayers answered. Sure the movie wasn't 100% spectacular but at least it was fun and entertaining. One of the better adaptations to date, and definitely a great comic book movie. All the actors do a terrific job and so does director Zack Snyder. Finally a real movie which doesn't make the comic book genre look like a bunch of idiotic miss adaptations. Of course we will get future adaptations of our favorite books or TV shows. But hey in the eyes of the movie companies they make money. And that's really all that matters. Right? Grade: B