A dreary assault
Added 11/24/2009
It's strange that such well-crafted CGI effects, costumes, set design, cinematography and acting could be so unappealing and depressing. I know part of the point is that these are anti-heroes, but that doesn't mean this film couldn't be more entertaining. It was visually stunning and edited decently, but watching a fight where the only characters you could be rooting for are bored and annoyed by their burden is a pretty good example of how to dull narrative. There is nothing at stake here, and it's pretty unpleasant and depressing. Not to say depressing is a bad thing, either. Bergman, to cite a cliched example, is somewhat depressing, but there is still the redeeming value of his insights into what it means to be human and there's catharsis in that. This film, taken as a whole, is overwrought and convoluted. The many well-crafted components do not make up for the fact that the narrative arc droops after awhile because there is no tension, no suspense, nothing at stake. I mean - it shows major issues: the fate of the world is at state - but I think it's hard for the audience to feel any concern. At least for me it was. (Maybe this is more about why go to a movie like this when you can read the newspaper). But, I do think this film shows interesting themes in an analystical, detached way. It's one thing for the characters to be analytical and introspective. It's another for the film to be only this way. This film should be exciting. but instead, it's schematic and slow. I know there is a ton of action, but there's nothing to ground it. Without a compelling, clear narrative and characters that I care about, it feels arbitrary. I know this is, of course, just an opinion, but if you want a good story that you will care about - read the book. For me, the movie was a kind of dreary assault, lacking pace and excitement. But, still 3 stars. It's not terrible. If you rent it, maybe just watch it in small doses.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Was not IN TACT!
Added 11/22/2009
When I ordered the package I expected it to be in tact including the case, but when I opened it parts of the bottom of the case fell out showing broken pieces of plastic which secured the CDs. Luckily the Blu rays still worked but I expect ALL parts to be welltaken care of ESPECIALLY the case.
0 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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The Watchmen
Added 11/21/2009
This movie was a drag. It literally dragged on forever and ever with no real story line, no interesting characters either. I finally just quit watching it, it was so boring.
1 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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alt. reality.....
Added 11/19/2009
nixons 5th term tht sez it all 4 me engrossing luv it disc qual. is exc so far bt yess i had a good time chkn this 1 out.....
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Who Watches the Watchmen
Added 11/16/2009
"Who watches the watchmen" is one of the most memorable lines smeared across the buildings and lips of citizens in the graphic novel Watchmen. The graphic novel that went far beyond its time thanks to writer Alan Moore, it has since been turned into a popular movie phenomenon by director Zack Snyder, who managed to capture the pure essence of the novel straight to the core, leaving out what some believe are important components in the novel, yet still maintaining the overall message. Watchmen presents the story of a group of masked heroes who live in an era where the world is on the brink of nuclear war. The six masked heroes Dr. Manhattan, Nite Owl, Rorschach,The Comedian, Silk Spectre and Ozymandias each represent the six ways to view the world in the radical time period it is set in. What ties this movie into a cultural phenomenon is the way in which it presents the solution and struggles of the Cold War era. The line "who watches the watchmen" is a sort of an irony that can be seen at the end of the movie. The masked hero, also portrayed as the smartest man in the world, Ozmandias, plans to save the human race, and unite the nations against a common enemy, by faking an alien invasion that ultimately killed half of the population in NY, yet no one knows of this secret conspiracy. Although this ending was cut from the film, and substituted with a giant explosion, it still presented the same message, that chaos that endangers the lives of friend and enemy alike, will result in union against this common enemy.
Although many skeptical fans believed that Snyder would not be able to capture the comic book in all of its glory, the outcome however begged to differ. Watchmen came out as an incredible watching experience, full of violence, drama, love and conspiracy. Each characters development is brought into focus on camera, what they discover about themselves and the world around them makes for an explosive emotional movie that captures young and old audiences alike.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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A dreary assault
Added 11/24/2009
It's strange that such well-crafted CGI effects, costumes, set design, cinematography and acting could be so unappealing and depressing. I know part of the point is that these are anti-heroes, but that doesn't mean this film couldn't be more entertaining. It was visually stunning and edited decently, but watching a fight where the only characters you could be rooting for are bored and annoyed by their burden is a pretty good example of how to dull narrative. There is nothing at stake here, and it's pretty unpleasant and depressing. Not to say depressing is a bad thing, either. Bergman, to cite a cliched example, is somewhat depressing, but there is still the redeeming value of his insights into what it means to be human and there's catharsis in that. This film, taken as a whole, is overwrought and convoluted. The many well-crafted components do not make up for the fact that the narrative arc droops after awhile because there is no tension, no suspense, nothing at stake. I mean - it shows major issues: the fate of the world is at state - but I think it's hard for the audience to feel any concern. At least for me it was. (Maybe this is more about why go to a movie like this when you can read the newspaper). But, I do think this film shows interesting themes in an analystical, detached way. It's one thing for the characters to be analytical and introspective. It's another for the film to be only this way. This film should be exciting. but instead, it's schematic and slow. I know there is a ton of action, but there's nothing to ground it. Without a compelling, clear narrative and characters that I care about, it feels arbitrary. I know this is, of course, just an opinion, but if you want a good story that you will care about - read the book. For me, the movie was a kind of dreary assault, lacking pace and excitement. But, still 3 stars. It's not terrible. If you rent it, maybe just watch it in small doses.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Was not IN TACT!
Added 11/22/2009
When I ordered the package I expected it to be in tact including the case, but when I opened it parts of the bottom of the case fell out showing broken pieces of plastic which secured the CDs. Luckily the Blu rays still worked but I expect ALL parts to be welltaken care of ESPECIALLY the case.
0 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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The Watchmen
Added 11/21/2009
This movie was a drag. It literally dragged on forever and ever with no real story line, no interesting characters either. I finally just quit watching it, it was so boring.
1 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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