Full Version: Watchmen: What can you tell me?

From: Jon [#1]
16 Mar 2009
To: ALL

I've never really been into graphic novels, so I hadn't heard of Watchmen before I heard of the film version being made, but, it seems that this is "my kind of shit".

I didn't realise that Alan Moore was also responsible for V for Vendetta (which I haven't read the graphic novel of either, but loved the film). Nor did I realise that Zack Snyder had directed 300 (which I thought was pretty good; entertaining and stylistically satisfying). I know Moore divources himself from all the film versions of his graphic novels, but the fact that it is based on his work alone seems like a good thing.

Then there's the general tone of the story (whether film or GN version). The fact it's R-rated here (18 in the UK I believe)* immidiately tells you it's not your average "comic book" (yes, graphic novel readers, feel free to shoot me now) adaptation/take on superheroes. I had also seen the interview with Billy Crudup on the daily show where he talks about the adult nature of the imagery. Then there's the quote from the BBC article I just read "Snyder has forgone a sizeable teenage audience by featuring graphic scenes of violence, rape and erectile dysfunction" (emphasis added).

I know some people had expressed significant concern before the movie was released that it would be a disservice to the graphic novel, but, in part, the "controversy" helped pique my interest and make me pay attention when I heard something about the film. I had not originally intended to read the graphic novel and had assumed I'd probably watch the film when it was available on DVD.

The more I find out about the film though (don't really want to know any more about the plot than I do now) the more I want to see it. Jo and I are considering going to the cinema for the first time since Revenge of the Sith, (so almost 4 years), to see it, possibly even in IMAX.

However, before the Christopher O'Riley concert last week, I stopped by a downtown bookstore to pick up a copy of Embracing the Wide Sky. I noticed the graphic novel of Watchmen on sale (pimped all over the store, of course) and, for once, the "advertising" must have had some effect on me, because I'm really tempted to read the graphic novel.

So, to the point of my post: to anyone who has seen/read both the film and the graphic novel, which would you recommend I absorb first?

I would have thought watching the film, then reading the GN would be better, because, normally, the original (non-film) version of something is the deeper, more complete version and the film inevitably lacks something, even if it is great and, hence I could probably still enjoy the GN after watching the film. But, I wouldn't be asking if I wasn't interested in hearing what others thought... pontificate away!

*nice to think one might be able to go see a movie featuring "super heroes" without it being made for and therefore not attracting, crowds of insessantly irritating 12-year-olds, more interested in chatting to their friends than actually paying attention or letting others enjoy the film. In fact I would have thought a 12-year-old would find it pretty hard to get into this one.

EDITED: 16 Mar 2009 by JON

From: Spanjab [#2]
16 Mar 2009
To: Jon [#1] 16 Mar 2009

I've read the graphic novel a couple of times and saw the film at the IMAX in Waterloo yesterday. Really enjoyed it actually! There are a couple of issues in the adaptation but generally it is on the money and the film was very entertaining.

It's nowhere near as easy to watch as Dark Knight was though, I didn't take the missus and I am sure she wouldn't like some of the violent bits in it. It's also a very wordy and lacking in action story so be prepared for a long slow film! (although I still felt it flew by!)

It's well worth watching imo, probably more than once but I really think it won't be what you expect! :-)

From: jimR (ZWISS) [#3]
16 Mar 2009
To: Jon [#1] 16 Mar 2009

As far as I understand it, Watchmen the film makes little sense to people who have not read the comic. I've not seen it yet, but I don't expect the film can pull of the impact of some of Moore's writing - particularly the explanation of Rorchach's moral stand.

The Watchmen comic is unmitigated genius, and one of the top ten graphic works ever.

EDITED: 16 Mar 2009 by ZWISS

From: Jon [#4]
16 Mar 2009
To: Spanjab [#2] 16 Mar 2009

Jo's not particularly squeamish, etc. In fact she and I sort of smile because her sisters (one in particular) has said she doesn't like watching 24 because of the scenes of torture, etc. Whereas we just think "it's a TV show innit?"

I'm also find with long, wordy films with bits of cool action. That's what I loved most about V for Vendetta. Not a /lot/ of action, but a lot of philosophy and, when the action does take place, it's A++ cool.

If anything, I was saying to Jo just this morning that, although I enjoyed The Dark Knight and it's about the "grittiest" adaptation of a graphic novel/comic that I've seen, it still isn't nearly gritty enough for my tastes.

From: Jon [#5]
16 Mar 2009
To: jimR (ZWISS) [#3] 16 Mar 2009

Hmm, this makes me think what I should do is - watch the film, get confused, read the graphic novel, love that, then watch the film again, maybe on DVD/Blu-Ray and enjoy it again. Hopefully!

I'm not one to watch films or read books more than once, unless doing so gives a different perspective a second time around. Iain M. Banks Use of Weapons is one I have to read again. Sounds like Watchmen might be a story like that too.

Anyway, right now I have to clean up a lizard shite (man, those things fucking stink!) then head over to Futureshop on the bike to pick up a wi-fi capable alarm-clock and, possibly a very reasonably priced 22" TV for the bedroom.

From: roBurky [#6]
16 Mar 2009
To: Jon [#1] 16 Mar 2009

I picked up Watchmen the graphic novel after picking up V for Vendetta the graphic novel after seeing V for Vendetta the film.

The Watchmen film is strange. It's about as faithful an adaptation as you can imagine, except for some reason it thinks the Watchmen actually /are/ superheroes instead of a group of strange people playing dressing up. It thinks the Watchmen are cool, and it thinks violence is cool, and thinks that adding more violence and blood to the story makes it even cooler. Even the few characters that are meant to be fairly relatable are made into remorseless killers.

My Dad came to see it, having not read the novel. While he doesn't have the aversion to graphic violence that I do, he left feeling very confused about it. I think a lot of that comes from the strange pacing it has on film. The graphic novel is a series of issues/chapters, each one with its own style of storytelling, and the film copies that exactly. Which makes a kind of weird progression when shown in one seamless chunk, and where it splices together two scenes each with a lot going on.

If it hadn't been for the added violence, I think I would have really enjoyed it. As it is, I don't really want to see it again.

From: Spanjab [#7]
16 Mar 2009
To: roBurky [#6] 16 Mar 2009

I always read the graphic novel as being very violent.

I actually felt that the film showed the 'heroes' largely how I expected. I felt that some actually ended up more understandable in the film. I had never really felt for Ozymandius in the novel but in the film I felt he made more sense. Rorschach is a difficult character to convey but once again they did well although I felt he was a little less ambiguous in the film than he was on the page. The only character I really didn't think worked on screen was Silk Spectre II, she looks amazing but something was wrong.

From: Jon [#8]
16 Mar 2009
To: roBurky [#6] 16 Mar 2009

Your comments also make me suspect I'll enjoy the film more if I see it before reading the graphic novel - I don't think I'll have any issue at all with the high levels of graphic violence and I think I can "understand" why it might be seem exaggerated even when compared with the clearly still violent GN. I think films, inevitably, because they are so damn expensive to make (at least I'm sure one like this was/is) end up having to make some concessions to "glossiness" for marketing purposes, whereas graphic novels will always be somewhat less intensely costly to make and are intended, so to speak, for a smaller audience and can therefore, perhaps, afford to be a little more sober in their approach.

What do I know, though, I've already admitted I haven't really read many GNs. One way or another though, I'm looking forward to getting to know the Watchmen story from the different perspectives available.

Oh and I edited the thread title so it doesn't say "Watchment". In my first post, I had to do the same several times - my brain seems to want to put a T at the end of the word, for no obvious reason!

From: Jamie (M_PIQUET) [#9]
16 Mar 2009
To: Jon [#1] 16 Mar 2009

Watchmen is comic literature. It's one of those novels that rewards every time you read it. The level of detail in the prose and in the art is astonishing.

From: arqueturus (ANDREW) [#10]
16 Mar 2009
To: ALL

I saw it last wednesday and I rate it very highly. It's been a long time coming to get a decently paced superhero movie.

I didn't think the violence was was over the top. I agree with roB that the protaganists were a little more on the super side.

I'll be getting it on Blu-Ray when it's released.

From: Jon [#11]
16 Mar 2009
To: ALL

Jamie caught me briefly when I logged into Eve and convinced me I should read the GN first. So, now to try and do that, along with all the other stuff I want to get done in my life right now and do it before the film is no longer available in cinemas :)

I'm already expecting this to be enjoyable and I'm not one to deliberately build up my expectations - it seems like I will be very surprised if it's not at least fairly reasonable and intellectually fun (the whole concept, however the story is told).

From: Spanjab [#12]
17 Mar 2009
To: arqueturus (ANDREW) [#10] 17 Mar 2009

Hmmm, I always saw the 'heroes' as being tougher than most people anyway, or they wouldn't do it, or at least they would have died by now at the hands of random thugs!

One thing the movie almost missed (apart from one background shot) was that Ozymandius was a world class athlete. Without that he does appear a bit tough at times! :-)

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Full Version: Watchmen: What can you tell me?

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