Film Review(ish): "Watchmen"

[beeinmybonnet]

So, I have now watched Watchmen and am, as per usual, years late to the party.

My verdict: Meh.

I suppose indifference is not the most common reaction to this film – it seems very much like a hate-it-or-love- it kind of flick – but that’s what I feel. There was far too much gorn, and the tone was too dark for me. I did not really like the characters, more because I found them uninteresting rather than unsympathetic. It’s too long, and it feels a bit dead towards the latter third part.
On the other hand, I really liked how they didn’t go the usual route with the heroes saving the day. And the presence of homosexual superheroes was a big plus. So yeah, the final outcome is an indifferent shrug.

Although I did like HeWhoHasAnUnspellableName Adrian “Ozymandias” Veidt. Because I have Thing for ice-cold blonds oozing homoeroticism. Or because Matthew Goode with blond hair made my brain hurt.
What I especially liked about him was that he was allowed to be a Magnificent Bastard and not being converted to The Light Side by the heroes’ “school boy heroics”, and that he actually won, despite blowing up all the major cities in the world. (Not because I’m for genocide, but because I’m for villains who don’t do a heel-face turn at the end.) Also, he had clearly read the Evil Overlord List – how can you not like a villain who does that? (“I did it thirty-five minutes ago” was the second and last time I laughed during the entire film. The first time was the dropped-him-down-an-elevator-shaft thing.)

So, in short: meh. I like my superhero movies cracky and shiny, kthxbye.

Comments

[ladylovelace.livejournal.com]

I should point out first that I really did like Watchmen except for the bullshit romance plot in the middle. But then I like dark things and I like horror, so it was just about tailor-made for me. And it had a giant blue person so that was pretty cool too.

Additionally: Fucking YES Ozymandias. I love my insane, narcissistic geniuses and no-one will ever pry them away from me. Actually on that note - snap - because I was going to send you Adrian Veidt/Tony Stark porn the other day but it was crap so I didn't bother. I feel it needs to be mentioned, though.

[beeinmybonnet.livejournal.com]

You thought the romance was a bit clunky as well? Though I don't like Malin Åkerman, so that might be part of it. (And what was up with Dan/NightNite Owl II? Is he a hybristophile, so he can't get it up unless he's just witnessed a crime?)
I actually found Dr Manhattan rather boring, is interesting theory. But I prefer my almost-humans as snarky AIs, thnx.

Ozymandias. ♥ I've been rather "*boo* *hiss*" when it comes to Matthew Goode, because of the new Brideshead Revisited adaptation, but he's actually not that bad at all. And he's clearly taken flamboyance lessons of Jeremy Brett. Darling, you don't sashay around in a purple suit, crane your neck elegantly and don't so much as glance at your presumebly-hot blonde assistant if you don't want people to wonder. And neither do you keep a map labelled "BOYS" on your computer~.
(Ooooooh. Did you write it? Because in that case I don't care what you say about the quality, I want to read it.)

[ladylovelace.livejournal.com]

Aww, Nite Owl II is adorable *smishes him*. But it is just possible that you're right about that :/

IIRC, Ozymandias is canon-gay. Or nearly-canon-gay. One of those. He does a good line in it, anyway.

(I did not write it. I just at the time though "oooh, double supergeniuses". Batman also made an appearance for a few moments. I am insulted *sniff*, I do not write bad porn. ;P)

[beeinmybonnet.livejournal.com]

To quote the loving words of my father, "He was a wimp." But yeah, he's sympathetic. I still haven't figured out why he hangs out with Rorschach, though. (I really liked the "YOU ARE SUCH AN ARSE"/"OH THANK YOU, MY FRIEND" exchange, because it was so lovely and awkward and surreal. Me likey. ♥)

"Possible homosexual: must remember to investigate." I've heard it was much more subtle in the comic, but then, it's not hard to be less subtle than the movie. OH HAI, I'M STANDING BY THE VILLAGE PEOPLE AND AM BEING FELT UP BY DAVID BOWIE. I'M TOTALLY STRAIGHT.

(Aw, dammit! :/ It was worth a shot. Oh, ma petite chou, I know you don't write bad porn, but your far to hard on yourself, so you never know. [Shocking secret: I've always, ever since I was a child, been rather "meh" about Batman. Preferred Spiderman and his snarky quips over Wayne's Brooding.])

[ladylovelace.livejournal.com]

OH HAI, I'M STANDING BY THE VILLAGE PEOPLE AND AM BEING FELT UP BY DAVID BOWIE. I'M TOTALLY STRAIGHT.

brb, dying of laughter. :D

Yeah. Subtlety was perhaps not the strong point of the piece.