Lowbrow Literati: Who Will Watch the Watchmen?

Considering how terrible ‘300’ was, I don’t have much hope for anything Snyder will do with ‘Watchmen.’ His favorite film technique seems to be shots of characters striding along in slow-motion with wind dramatically whipping their hair and clothes about while the heavy strains of some nu-metal breakdown play in the background.

Comment by Ryan Paul from Tucson AZ — June 6, 2007 @ 11:36 am

“His favorite film technique seems to be shots of characters striding along in slow-motion with wind dramatically whipping their hair and clothes about while the heavy strains of some nu-metal breakdown play in the background.”

Well, if he went that route with Rorschach, at least it’d be a funny movie, albeit unintentionally so…

Comment by Monte Williams from Geek Creek — June 7, 2007 @ 3:13 pm

I think most people who have read “Watchmen” would agree that it is the best superhero book ever written. It’s also amazing how controlled it is (the adherence to a uniform panel design, the refusal to use “Meanwhile back at the ranch” captions, etc.) while still being vital, fluid and unrushed.

However, there has yet to be a movie adaptation of one of Moore’s books that comes even close to capturing the complexity and amazing art of his work. If anything, the movies have done nothing but completely destroy what Moore created.

I don’t think “Watchmen” will be any different, and I won’t be seeing the movie. Stephen King is the only author I can think of offhand who’s work has been treated as poorly as Moore’s, but there have actually been a couple of very good adaptations of his novels. The same can’t be said of Alan Moore’s work, and I seriously doubt “Watchmen” will be the exception, unfortunately. :-(

Comment by Tommy Marx from Portland OR — June 7, 2007 @ 6:01 pm

As usual, I haven’t read the story you’re covering, but you’ve made me want to.

I didn’t know Snyder was heading the film.  If that’s all you had mentioned, I would’ve known it was a big fat “no” for me.  Unfortunately, the success of 300 will only reinforce his idea that he’s a good director, so we’ll probably get the same lame macho man cliches we saw in that film.  Painful.

Comment by Kelly Wells — June 8, 2007 @ 4:01 pm

Actually, Blake did NOT rape Sally.  He was assaulting her for that purpose when Hooded Justice came in and beat the crap out of him.

Watchmen is the sort of book you have to read a dozen or more times to peel all the layers.  The characters are not stereotypes although they are based on stereotypes.  To judge Sally harshly as she kisses Blake’s photo is miss entirely the complexity of her character.

Comment by Vynson from Cleveland, OH — September 25, 2007 @ 1:48 am