Watchmen

Posted by Blakeborough on Aug 30, 2008 in Blockbuster, Features, Film | 8 comments

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4blSrZvPhU

I’m talking trailers this time, rather than the source material.

I was a little scared when I heard they were going to be filming Watchmen, as it has always been deemed ‘unfilmable’ by author Alan Moore; such is its challenging themes, complexity and violence. Then I heard that Zack Snyder (300) was directing and my mood changed. Could this be a faithful and downright awesome adaptation? Would Moore’s original characters transfer to the big screen?

Now, ‘Adaptation’ (in all its guises) is a particular passion of mine and I’m a book and comic geek, so I usually find something to pick at about films made from textual reference. The Shining, Lost World…I sometimes lie awake about The Cat In The Hat…the list could go on forever depending on my level of grump that day.

This time though, something is different. This is a…good…trailer? Very good in fact. And for those wondering, the song is Smashing Pumpkins’ The Beginning is the End is the Beginning, first widely heard in the dreadful Batman and Robin.

Dr Manhattan (big blue naked guy) was a character I wasn’t sure they would be able to film well but they seem to have created something far better than I could have ever expected. Nite Owl and Silk Spectre look perfect, and as for Rorschach, well, he was always my favourite.

I genuinely think this looks like an amazing film and so far I have no complaints. My knowledge of the graphic novel only adds ‘wow’ factor to this for me, and if this film brings Moore’s genius to a larger audience then great. My only concern, and it is a small one at this stage, is that the violence and claustrophobic atmosphere of the text will be toned down too much for cinema. I sincerely hope that Watchmen receives an 18 rating, as any less will surely mean the loss of some of the more important sections of the novel. The prison break? Rorschach’s origins? Flashbacks to The Comedian and the orignal Silk Spectre? None of this can really be filmed properly without totally going for it, no holds barred.

We’ll see in 2009 I suppose. For now, I’m excited to see some more sneak peeks.

Also, if you have any interest in the film at all, check out the website. Very nicely put together.

Dylan

Do you think that in 50 years time people will talk about the comic/fantasy/adventure genre in the same way we talk about westerns today? Of course I’ll watch this but could someone please come up with something new, eventually they’ll run out of comics and have to start remaking the adapted comic book films of the last 10 years.

Maybe I’d be more excited if I’d read watchmen but from the eyes of someone who doesn’t know the back story, yeah the graphics etc look amazing but they all do.

Sorry for being quite so negative but it’s early in the morning.
Blackett

I dont get why Mr Moore claimed that this was un filmable as it is rather cinematic well as long as they take out the pirate comic I dont think that would translate too well.

I hope that they do aim for an 18 but knowing Holywood we can expect a 15 and then a directors cut.

Dr Manhattan is by far the coolest.

What is your favourite book to film adaptation Miss Blakeborough?
Blakeborough

Book to film adaptation? Hmmm.

Rozema’s Mansfield Park (the book is dire, but the film is a very interesting take on the period drama genre)
Jurassic Park. Crichton adapted his own novel for the screenplay.
Stardust. Looked beautiful, faithful to the text.

I have lots and lots that I love for different reasons. Sometimes I love it when a director takes more of an auteur role and completely takes a novel and runs with it. Clueless is a great example of this. It only loosely references the source material but brings the story into a different century and a different genre. Love it.

I’m going to be thinking of loads more all day long now.

Does anyone have any more?
Blackett

Simple dimple, Cruel Intentions (or was that a play)
Andy

‘Do you think that in 50 years time people will talk about the comic/fantasy/adventure genre in the same way we talk about westerns today? Of course I’ll watch this but could someone please come up with something new, eventually they’ll run out of comics and have to start remaking the adapted comic book films of the last 10 years.’

Comic isn’t a genre, it’s a medium. Fantasy has thrived for centuries, and adventure likewise is going absolutely nowhere. Also, there are plenty of novels, comics, and films still produced under the western genre.

You haven’t read Watchmen, so I can understand your assuming that this is in any way comparable to other works involving big men in spandex swinging punches. It isn’t. It’s as far removed from the likes of Batman and Superman as Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls is from Apocalypse Now.

Although the visual style seems to match up, and many shots are straight copies of the defining panels in the source material, I remember reading that the Cold War themes have been changed because modern audiences can’t relate. On what planet does that make sense?
Blakeborough

Nope, you are correct Blackett. Adapted from Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
Andy

Joseph Conrad’s Heart Of Darkness and Apocalypse Now
http://donnablack.org donna black

looks like gonna be awesome film , shall be borrowing the comic’s soon also.

Tags

Related Posts

Share This

Watchmen