First of all, before I start with this review I have to say I'm sorry about posting this up late, since in my last entry I mentioned I was going to post it up in the next day. I just didn't have the time to, and I am really sorry for keeping some of you waiting for my review. Second, this director's cut doesn't have the Black Freighter short film woven into this. That will be a different director's cut release this December called the "Ultimate Edition".
Third, this review might contain spoilers to those who hasn't seen the movie or read the book yet. If you haven't done any of those, then what are you waiting for?! Do that first and then come back here, but make sure you read the book first before watching the movie. Anyways, let's begin.
Now what can I say about this new version of the movie? Well, it's better then the theatrical cut is one good point, and the pacing seemed much more faster then the original cut. I wish this was the original theatrical cut for the movie, but that's what happens in Hollywood. Anyways, there's 24 minutes added into this film, and some of the new shots you really don't notice are new. But I noticed enough that keeps my interest and faithful for this movie. Zack Snyder really outdone himself again with this cut. Although it's 3 hours and 6 minutes, it doesn't really seem that long. Actually, it's good enough for the story of this film. I have to admit, I didn't have a problem with the original cut, but this director's cut improves it 10 times more. You get to understand and feel for the characters...well, except for one, which still disappoints me when I saw the movie in theater for the first time.
Yes, I think some of you know who I'm talking about...Ozymandias. He was still undeveloped in this film, and that really...well, I don't care for it. I was going to say it makes me angry, but right now I don't feel like I should be angry at that. But by all means, I don't think it was necessary or a good idea to keep in Bubastis, Ozymandias' pet lynx. Really, that creature has nothing to do with the plot, or shows how much Ozymandias cared for it when he later kills her while attempting to kill Dr. Manhattan at the same time with that entrinsic field machine thing. If it was me directing this film, I would've left Bubastis out. But oh well.
Now another problem I had with this, and don't think "Oh, why do you hate this movie, it rocks!" And I know it does, but as a "guy who read the graphic novel and sort of is a fan of the book" I feel neglected to say what I didn't like about this film. After all, my friends do call me a "film critic". So the scene when Rorschach is in Edward Blake's apartment, and when he attacks the cop and the other cop sees him on the edge of the broken window and shoots at him point-blank range and didn't hit him at all. Also, when he mysteriously disappear after that. What is up with that? I know it was setting up Rorschach as an outlaw vigilante, but so what? Honesty, I don't really like that scene, but...it works...somehow it works (Let's just say, as a fan, I don't feel the need to complain about any scenes that involve Rorschach).
Also, let me point out that I felt the ending was rushed. Although I didn't have this feeling when I went to see the movie the first time, and nothing is different in this one. But now I'm beginning to notice that the scene on Mars of Dr. Manhattan and Laurie, and Nite Owl and Rorschach in Veidt's lair in the Antarctic, and the "big explosion" in New York, were a bit rushed. I think the scene on Mars with Manhattan and Laurie could've been done a lot better. I wanted to see more of Laurie's flashbacks, and nothing was changed. And when she finds out that her actual dad is the Comedian, it should've been more slow and...well I can't find the word for it. Let's just say it should've have the same dramatic feeling like the book did when I was reading it. Everything else I mentioned, they're OK. Nothing there to complain about, but like I said I wanted to point those things out.
Here are scenes I do like in the director's cut. Hollis Mason's death, which I really missed in the theatrical cut, made it to this cut and this isn't a disappointment. And how Nite Owl reacted to his death when he found out is a good part too. All the new Rorschach scenes are freakin' awesome in this cut. Rorschach is more of a bad-ass the way we remembered him being. Jackie Earle Haley is truly RORSCHACH! And Laurie is much more developed then she was in the theatrical cut. Now you see what she has to put up through, and you sort of feel for what she's feeling. New Dan Dreiberg scenes in his basement where he talks about how he became the second Nite Owl was a good scene added in too, even though it was 1 minute short, but it's a great improvement on the film. There are other scenes I like in this new cut, but you just have to see it for yourself. Mainly, this is a great improvement of the film for fans.
Although there wasn't much dialogue about how seriously the characters were taken the whole "End of the World" thing. And I hope the "Ultimate Edition" will show some of that when they bring in the two 'Bernies'. As the audience, they should be aware that the end of the world is coming for these characters and in this world, because that's part of the story, it should be noticed. It creates more drama and suspense for the final act. I like that Old Bernie was talking to Walter Kovacs next to the newsstand. That's good enough until the "Ultimate Edition" comes out.
Over all, I don't have a really, really, really big problem with this film (unlike the "Transformers" movies, a.k.a. "Bayformers"). But as a fan, you will never get tired of watching this film over and over again. It's truly good and keeps the spirit of the graphic novel very well, like I said in my other
review.
The music was top-notch, the visiuals & special effects is eye-candy, and the action was sweet. This film doesn't disappoint, and it will truly satisfy you no matter what. Zack Snyder really did great job bringing "Watchmen" to life. This probably has to be one of the best comic book adaptation film next to "The Dark Knight". This film is surely a treat for us all. And basically Zack made this edition for us fans and to complete the way he intended the movie to be like. And really, he didn't failed. He succeeded.
Before I end this review, I would like to say thank you Zack Snyder and every one from the cast & crew. You did a great job on this film and I couldn't be any more happier with it. Thanks to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Without them, there wouldn't be a "Watchmen".
Rating: 10 out of 10 blood-stained smiley-face badges