Comments on: WATCHMEN wows

By: Ralph Mathieu

Ralph Mathieu — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:45:04 +0000

Torsten, thanks for the info about Ozymandis, Glass, and Nova Express – I’d forgotten abou that (guess I need to read the book again, damn)!

By: Brian Spence

Brian Spence — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:52:49 +0000

I tried to explain what Watchmen was to my girlfriend just before we saw the trailer, and she said, “that looks nothing like what you just described!”

This thing is going to be hard to market. I think it’s kind of up to people like us to build buzz for this flick, which means it really better be a good movie!!

By: Torsten Adair

Torsten Adair — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:02:49 +0000

Watchmen might be comics’ 2001, the movie that elevates the genre above the stereotypes and expectations of the general populace.
According to the Nova Express interview, Philip Glass is a favorite of Ozymandis. And Dylan is quoted in the graphic novel, but not that song?
Sitting in Imax, waiting for The Dark Knight…

By: Xenos

Xenos — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:13:04 +0000

Really need to see this new extended red band trailer. In particular, I have to see the Dan and Laurie dream scene where they kiss and the bomb goes off. I love that scene.

By: spike

spike — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:35:36 +0000

I suspect Moore will remain opposed to any future adaptation of any work with a Ditkoesque steadfastness, which is his right. It’s good to see Gibbons reaping the benefits of the movie, though.

I’m skeptically optimistic about the film. If there are any comic adaptations where it’s vital to capture the themes and characterization of the source material, it’s of Alan Moore’s works. Given the density of WATCHMEN, it’s going to require some skillful pruning on Synder’s part, and I’m still not convinced he has the artistic maturity to pull it off. Telling a compelling story on film requires more than just slavishly swiping images or words, although I’m grateful they’re not taking outrageous liberties with the script, as earlier drafts seem to have done.

In my head, any movie that approaches a Moore book with sensibilities used to film a Dennis Potter script would be golden.

By: Mike Everleth

Mike Everleth — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 14:54:49 +0000

timothycat: I don’t know Moore, but based on what the writer has said there is no way in Hell that he’ll have anything to do with the movie no matter how good or bad it is. He’s opposed to the whole concept of adaptations of his work, not just about quality.

Heidi: Nice point about the dialogue. I think the trailer looks great and retains Gibbons’ visuals, but I wonder how much the script will adhere to Moore’s words, which will be crucial. I finally watched 300 the other day and man was that thing goofy as hell, especially the dialogue, which I don’t know how faithful that was to Miller’s words, since I never read the GN.

By: brett

brett — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:55:38 +0000

I think the movie is going to be excellent and will far exceed anyone’s expectations. Why? a) because no one felt it could do the GN justice and had low expectations and b) Because it just looks great, feels great and people were going nuts when the trailer appeared in front of Dark Knight.

That said, its too bad Moore won’t be joining the party but to each his own. Glad Gibbons is all psyched because he’s great and he deserves this. Can’t wait for his new hardcover book coming out in a couple of months too, Watching Watchmen or something like that.

That should be great too!

By: ed

ed — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:15:54 +0000

Yeah, that had to have been Glass, something from the -qatsi films. As for the expanded trailer— WOW! All those scenes straight from Gibbons’s
panels up on the screen: like that Night Owl scene mentioned above, Rorshach’s discovery of the Comedian’s closet, that atomic-blast kiss between Dan and Laurie, Manhattan’s hand crashing through Adrian’s compound, and that shot of the Comedian’s fall from grace… March ‘09 can’t come fast enough!

And, nice detail of playing Dylan’s “Times They Are A-Changin’” as the assembled cast came out to the Hall H audience…

By: ralph mathieu

ralph mathieu — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:45:41 +0000

The music that was used for the new footage at today’s panel was incredible. I’d swear it was Philip Glass (and I hope he’s being used for the film’s music) – can anyone confirm this?

By: timothycat

timothycat — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:21:19 +0000

I’m curious, do those who know Moore think there is any chance that Moore might give the film a chance if it turns out to be a decent adaptation? That said, I fully understand his scepticism given previous adaptations of his work.

By: Mark Coale

Mark Coale — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:53:42 +0000

I’m surprised the Watchmen panel didn’t crash Twitter, with all the posts made by Whitney and the ladies from the Washington Post.