by David Hauser

Created on: September 19, 2009

Can a 25-Year-Old Story Still be Too Progressive to be Fully Understood?

I'm blown away...

This movie... this story.

I had only heard of "Watchmen" before the movie came out and was unprepared for what was to unfold visually... not to mention conceptually.

Based on Alan Moore's graphic novel, Zach Snyder creates a film that pushes the boundaries of what the average person wants to accept about human nature.

Heroes with an agenda...

Heroes who bite those who they are sought to protect...

Heroes defiling other heroes...

Heroes murdering millions of innocent people... framing a "God" in order to unite a planet

If Warner Brothers has any foresight... their executives will have teams of people working with Alan Moore (dumping cash in his bank account to get him to cooperate) in order to create multitudes of storylines, books and movies alike based on each "hero" individually...

The Comedian.

Ozymandias.

Dr. Manhattan.

Rorshach.

These are all characters who can carry their own storyline.

Even the arch-enemy of the Watchmen over the years... Moloch, a villain who actually lives and gets old.

Back to the movie... I can't get over how good it is.

I bought the graphic novel the evening I saw the movie and read it over the next week on my work breaks and spare time at home. It's amazes me how close the movie is to the book. And what's more... it turns out better.

Don't get me wrong... the book is a masterpiece. But Zach Snyder twists it...

He changes the ending and is almost apologetic as he explains in the director's cut that it was necessary in order to save the movie 20 minutes of explanation.

This change... ascends the movie beyond the book in that the world unites against "God" in the form of Dr. Manhattan... instead of an alien invasion.

The perceived threat against humanity... is God incarnate.

So good...

In a day where Jesusland dominated our government for the last 8 years... A film is made where "God" turns his back on humanity in its darkest hour and returns after the largest attack upon mankind has already taken place... an attack that simultaneously destroys every major populated city across the world... and then allows himself to be the blame as a perceived threat against the human population, and exiles... accepting that he can never return if the world is to remain at peace. A direction that he not just accepts... but is grateful for.

Dr. Manhattan is the embodiment of human nature with god-like powers. In fact, he is revered and feared as one would God, or a god. However, he is still human in mind and displays more of humanity's imperfections than any other character... He's overwhelmed by his powers. Overwhelmed by the responsibility thrust upon him. Succumbs to temptation and runs away during an emotional crisis...

And then there's Ozymandias... The smartest man on the planet who commits an act of terrorism so great that millions of people are killed and achieves world peace.

He is Superman and easily my favorite character... complex... multi-faceted... calculating... compassionate. A level of power and intellect without bounds...

Even his name is perfect (although I confess I hated the name until I googled it a few minutes ago :)).

Dammit, I want back stories!

Prequels!

Sequels!

Singular Plots!

Mulitple Plots!

Stories that work their way back to the novel!

Stories that work way outside the novel!

Dammit, it's so good... I don't want it to end. :)

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