Mon Avis: Movie Review: WATCHMEN - Thematically realistic, occasionally brilliant!

Not being a fan of graphic novels sometimes helps! It did here! I certainly dint know what to expect from this one and hence it came out just fine! It was able to tell a story and did it reasonably well. This movie is thematic and holds together a bigger picture in itself, just like its director Snyder's last epic 300! Though I wouldn't genuflect as a die-hard aficionado, I would certainly not give it a thumbs down. Save for its length, it is a nice watch - despite limited release in India!

Set in alternate-1985 US where the world around is on the brink of Cold war and Nixon's fifth term (fiction) has a grievous standoff with Russia risking a nuclear wipe-out. The country has been watched over by a group of masked super-hero vigilantes. But by 1985 most of these vigilantes have either retired or have been cracked down by the government. The story then takes us to a savage murder of a superhero called The Comedian (played byJefferry Dean of Grey's Anatomy fame). A quirky superhero Rorshach, who still continues his watch over act without government sanction, decides to gang together a group of retired vigilantes to go deep into the mystery of this killing.  Then there is a CGI-ed portrayal of  a physicist Dr. Manhattan (Billy Kruddup) who turns into a blue radiating figure after a freak accident and now works for government and is a so-called nuclear deterrent due to his supernatural powers of bending matter.  Adding to the cast are Malin Akerman as a dishy Silk Spectre and Patrick Wilson as Nite Owl   who play a part in the gang act.

Ups:

• Storyline/storyboard - The movie ain't a typical superhero flick - it has much the same darker side setting as did TDN and adding to that is its realistic grounding! It is one super-hero flick based in realistic times (though as old as 1980s cold war). I have been told by the comic book addicts that the story boards stick to the 12-part series graphic novel.
• Scripting , cinematography and music - all the three support each other brilliantly - Though you may find scenes to be little disjointed yet, they are backed by handsome editing and direction. Complimenting the flow is a nice retro score most of it borrowed from folk rock. You get to listen to Dylan (opening credits), Jimi Hendrix, Cohen amongst others.  Mainly, the concept at the end is the significant 'it' of the movie - a play at the psychological phenomenon of common fear uniting the worst of enemies is especially likable. Though, again, you may accuse the movie of taking itself too seriously but that what I think its makers intended.

Downs:

• Long 163 minutes sometime become a little too dreary, though once you get engrossed , there is much to leave you glued!
• Aberrations - Though most of the CGI is well done most of Dr. M's frontal exposure is too distracting and also that ridiculous love-making scene on the space ship Archie which is totally misplaced with Cohen playing Hallelujiah in the background. Certainly lends no sensual benefits. 

For the lack of any non-pulpy cinemas in the theatre, it is certainly not a bad watch - if you are prepared to sit for two and a half hours.