Watchmen (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray Steelbook]

This is one of those rare films that comes along in a time when most fantasy films are just demo reels for stuntmen and effects men. This film is thoughtful, dark, extremely cynical, and totally thought provoking. It's one of those films that may have you disagreeing with its outcome or it's characters' motives, but you will be interested in them nonetheless. This is like a comic book movie done through the lense of the brilliant auteur filmmakers of the late 60's and throughout the 70's. I a high mark for filmmaking. A high mark for adapting a previously published work. A high mark of impactful visuals. A high mark for actors, mostly unknown, making the unbelievable and fantastic real and relatable. A high mark for art. A high mark for writing. It's that good, I swear. And you don't have to be a Watchmen fan-boy to like it. You just have to be an adult. An intelligent, and always thinking pre-teen to teen. Someone who loves what films can do for our mind and our eyes. Someone who misses the days when films were made for more than the simple vegatation. A time when every film wasn't polled and geared and marketed for 13 year olds. Us adults do like some fantasy in our life, whether it be dark or not.***No plot synopsis here. My bad folks***Lets start with the adaption. It's been a while since I've seen something adapted so seamlessly to the screen. I first picked up the Watchmen in graphic novel form back in the early 90's, I was about 12 years old. I'd always heard that this film project was brewing for years. I'd also heard that it was unfilmmable material. Alan Moore himself, I believe, said it was unfilmmable. I never understood this. I read the thing at 12 and was imagining it as a film. Hell, if you look at the panels and the way the book is structured, it's already very film-like. Is it marketable, and does it hold mass appeal for the price tag it would cost, may have been the real question. For about the first two hours the film is a direct adaption of the book. Hell, even some of the visuals, and intercutting is taken from the novel. The only thing I noticed omitted early on was the whole comic-within-the comic The Black Freighter. That was one thing I guessed would be removed. Where would it go, and how would it work in the context of a film narrative? Well, guess what? It was only omitted for the initial theatrical release. Zach Snyder felt the Watchmen is incomplete without The Black Freighter, and he will be editing animated footage of the short story back into the film for a director's cut. Can't wait to see how it plays out in the film form. The third act is where things really start to change in adaption.****SPOILERS****Sorry, can't avoid them when talking about this and how much it helps the film version. We lose the subplot involving the prison psychiatrist. This I don't mind. With the story itself, and the Black Freighter, I felt the novel was hammering its point home a little too hard with the inclusion of what the psychiatrist was going through when examing the imprisoned Rorshach. Good omission. Finally, the big change in plot has the same outcome but takes a short cut to get there. In the novel the 'villain' cooks up a scheme involving a fake alien invasion that leads to New York's destruction. The whole world unites to fight a common evil, forgets about their differences. In the film the plot is less convoluted. The 'Villain' no longer cooks up an alien invasion, but instead uses an already available resource in the body of Dr. Manhattan to derail nuclear destruction. It makes the story tighter and further implicates one of the main characters into the action, makes him very important to the plot's outcome, and makes him less of a philosphical figure. Sure, he's still expousing the meaning of life, but now he plays a part in it's course. I never thought the idea of artists, scientists, and filmmakers being tricked into creating a genetic creature from scratch was that important. It's interesting and wild, but way too convoluted in a story that's already fairly convoluted. The film's solution to this problem is clever and simple.***SPOILERS END***The acting is all on spot on. The relationship between the second Nite Owl and Silk Spectre II is done much better in the film. It comes off more natural and believable here. It's done with more visuals and less bloated exchanges. Jackie Earle Haley(best known for his part in the original Bad News Bears, and his Oscar nominated performance in Little Children) lives and breaths Rorshach, arguably the most popular right wing vigilante this side of Rush Limbaugh. He brings an already lively character to true life. His performance is complex, playing a man who may be a lone nut, but never compromises his beliefs and suffers no one who doesn't fit into his own moral code. Special attention must also be given to Billy Crudup and the special effects technicians behind Dr. Manhattan. Crupdup's voice gives hints of a longing, a lost humanity trying to resurface. Plus, the animation is subtle and effective on this character, to the degree of Gollum. Sure, it's not as broadly animated, but it would be wrong for the character if he was. Carla Gugino also stands out as Silk Spectre I. Her performance and character is very complicated and not easily understood, especially by those who like to morally grandstand and brow beat others. She brings a longing and tragedy to her small part. Plus, is it just me, or does anyone else have the hugest crush on this actress? She has that rare characteristic of combing cute and comfortable with totally hot and sexy. Sorry, can't help, but after Sin City she gives me much joy-joy feelings.Like I mentioned before, some of the visuals are directly taken from the comic, and all are fairly breathtaking. It reminds me of Blade Runner. The visuals are striking but don't overpower the narrative, and they don't feel like effects for effects sake. Though, I do tire of the slow to fast ramping of speed in action sequences. I think this effect stopped awing me right after The Matrix came out. Zach Snyder has outdone himself with this one. He has finally made a film that he will be expected to top in every future project. I heard of him, directing music videos and commercials, as a contender for the remake of Dawn of the Dead. I didn't feel that film should be remade, it's a horror classic, and his resume just made me guess for the worst. Low and behold, the film worked. Sure, it was more a straigh action piece, but the characters, visuals and acting was all top notch. It was a fun, fast paced piece of fluff of the highest caliber. Then came 300. Wasn't as enthralled with this one as much as everyone else was. I found it striking and mostly entertaing. I didn't really care about any human body in that film. They all just seemed like cyphers. They fought and killed and died, and I didn't really care outside the visuals. I found it to be an example of something that jumped off the page but sunk on the screen. He has 100% redeemed himself with Watchmen. It's fast paced, despite its almost three hour running time, spritely, and visually beautiful and horrifying all in one stroke.This flick is almost fan-boy proof. Sure, there will always be that small purist contigent that take Alan Moore's word as gospel, and they will openly loathe the film whether they secretly like it or not. Moore himself should be open to this film and take a load off. Hollywood did right by him for once. Though, after League of Extraodinary Gentlemen, I understand where the dude is coming from.PEOPLE WHO SHOULD STAY AWAY FROM THIS FILM:1. If graphic violence bothers you, even though it's brief and not often, just stay away. Nobody wants to hear your empty tiatribes about how violent films are and how they are destroying the fabric of America, a country itself which is considered one of the most violent in the West.2. Purist, uncompromising fan-boys. Save it. Nobody is interested in whether you're a bigger fan of Watchmen, or a more devoted deciple. We get it. You read it. You loved it. You paste the faces of your favorite Watchmen character on the bodies of silicon enhanced Playboy Bunnies in your room. Move on...please.3. Action junkies aka vegatables use films as something to pass the time between the next video game. This film has action, and excitement but it's besides the point and not the reason for its existance. I hear the Rock just released a remake of Escape to Wich Mountain. Check that out instead. Instantly satisfying. Hyperactive. Speical effects and star personality driven. Instantly forgettable and undemanding.4.Folks who can't remove their politics from their movie going experiences. People who actually believe Hollywood is involved in some mass conspiracy to warp your children's morals, and to turn them into extreme lefty socialists. Please, stop. Just stay home. It's just a fantasy parable about super heroes, and what their existance would do to our past history in the 20th century. Nixon sucked. It's a fact. There will never be a 6 dollar bill with Reagans face on it, and he certainly won't get a spot on Mount Rushmore. You guys had your shot. The extreme religous disease that invaded your party has corrupted your principles and core ideals. Deal with them, and let the rest of us risk our brains with this piece of thoughtful pulp fiction.5. Finally, all those who fear change, or the fact taht writers like to transcend and disect material as Americana as apple pie. This is not a kid's movie. It's rated accordingly. The definitions of right and wrong, and what makes a hero is turned on its head and hypothesised in situations that most super hero fims don't dare venture into. It's not Superman. It's not Spider-Man. It's not just visceral pop entertainment, even though it's that too, it's got ideas. It will make you think. It might make you angry. It might make you feel justified. The bottom line is it will make you think and maybe even start some involved discussions. Ones that moves beyond how 'Kewl' the special effects were. Then, you'll stop and say, "Hey, are we really talking in this much depth about a flick involving rubber clad super heroes, and a glowing blue guy who chills on Mars?" Yup, you are.See it. Don't see it. Like Blade Runner and other films of this type, it won't matter how much dough the flick makes or how much everyone and their grandma likes it. This will live on while films like Spider-Man 3 and Iron-Man just end up being time filler on TNT.2-DISC DIRECTOR'S CUT DVD UPDATE 7/12/2009Well, any internet Watchment fanboy could tell you, but this isn't quite the director's cut released next week. It's got an additional 24 minutes of footage that adds some more texture and reinstates Hollis' death scene and Night Owl's bloody revenge. Plus, some of the action scenes have been beefed up, especially the jail break scene. It's basically the entire novel minus the Black Freighter. Fret not, this version will be released again on Dec. 9th, 2009 with the Black Freighter animated short woven into the film just like the novel in a five disc Ultimate Edition set. The Ultimate set will have a new commentary by the director on the first two discs, the entire partially animated graphic novel on the next two discs, and on the fifth will be all new unreleased behind the scenes stuff including the mockumentary Under the Hood, which was previously released on the Black Freighter dvd. Hell, this month's release comes with a ten dollar rebate towards the Ultimate Edition. I'm most certainly going to be going in for the 'ol double dip.This director's cut has a second disc with some special features on it, even a couple more on the Blu-Ray, three to be exact, four if you include the useless digital copy. We get a My Chemical Romance music video that is in step with the film's tone but will most likely only be viewed once. We also get a half hour doc concerning the novel's creation and genesis that goes all the way up to the film's creation. Oddly, the film's screenwriters aren't interviewed regarding the novel's adaption. There are extenssive interviews with the filmmakers, DC artists and publishers, and Dave Gibbons, of course. Then you get several short but informative webisodes regarding the costumes, vehicles, design, story, and costumes. The webisodes go more into the hows and less into the why's, but they are quite satisfying. And that's it.A bunch of folks are going to piss and moan regarding the double dip, a double dip that has been old news since the film's original theatrical release, but not me. I'm happy to have a version with the Black Freighter and one without. I'm also happy to have the Black Freighter seperately. Sure, I already bought the moving comic, but I think I know some folks who can take it off my hands happily. I can't wait to hear director Zack Snyder's commentary in December. The only thing I can live without is the theatrical cut, and I don't have to have it this way. Listen, gripey fanboys, don't buy this version or do. Just rent it if you don't want to double dip. Buy it and ask for the Ultimate Edition for a Christmas present. See? I just solved all the major problems in your life. Thank me.PS: Yes, that's a man's penis! Grow up. No, these aren't your mom and pops' super heroes. No, there still isn't a giant alien squid thingy. THERE WILL NEVER BE A GIANT ALIEN SQUID! Deal. The movie is better for this change from the novel. Trust me. And finally, the soundtrack and source music placement is PERFECTION! Especially, "Unforgettable" for the opening scene and "99 Red Balloons" for Night Owl's and Silk Spectre's reunion date. Stop being so narrow and simple. Think about the whys and the placemnt and it will all become clear and way more fun. Try thinking in a more gutteral manner, how the songs feel and not their literal meaning. Again, trust me, they work. If not, and you still don't see it or agree, well, um, then well........ then keep being boring????

And that, in a nutshell, is what is great and not so great about "Watchmen". I must apologize for being esoteric, but if I explain it I would be guilty of spoilers. It should suffice to say that said "Archie" scene was both a defining moment of this films wonderful human elements and gratuitous to the point of being tedious. That said, one scene, or 6 or 7 for that matter, were not enough to spoil my enjoyment of a film by a guy who has made one of my least favorite films (300). If you haven't realized by now, this is never an easy film, yet I was surprisingly up to the challenge. Before I really start to ramble on, I'd better chop this up a little.REDEMPTION FOR ZACK SNYDER?It sure sounds like I'm picking a fight (who, ME?) but I have my reasons. For better or worse, Zack has made a name for himself by bringing comic books to life on screen (excuse me, "Graphic Novels" puh-lease!). His first big hit "Sin City" was pretty successful and highly regarded. I'll be damned if I'll ever get to see it. It's been on my list for years. Yet, I'll take the word of those who liked it. Next was "300". What can I say that my "300" review didn't; it was a silly cartoon based on one of the greatest last stands in human history. Though faithful to the equally goofy comic... ...excuse me; GRAPHIC NOVEL (yeesh!) I thought it was highly overrated and translated poorly to the cinema. So, knowing he directed "Watchmen" was not working as an endorsement for me. In fact, I had great trepidation that this would be another nutty "300" with cartoon violence and gratuitous sex. I was right.I'M NOT A FAN OF NOIR COMIC BOOKS (or "Graphic Novels")I almost bought this book. But as I leafed through it at the book store, I decided I would pass on its meager 1940's style graphics and tiny word bubbles. This was all done for a great purpose that the comic geeks could tell you about, but it wasn't pulling me in. I'm not a big fan of the trend towards dark comics with dystopian alternate realities either. I don't mind troubled characters but I want them to succeed on some level and at least live in a normal, screwed up world. A world on the brink of self destruction is a bit too heavy for me. Besides, I don't like clouding my judgment of a film by reading the book first. I work in reverse order. This book has all the things I don't want in a comic and the film followed suit.GRATUITOUS IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH A WORDThere was a point in this movie when I leaned over to my friend (yes, I have a couple) and whispered; "is this what they mean by "blue movie"?". My friend chuckled. You see, the god-like Dr. Manhattan, who always glows in a blue light, was getting it on with the "Silk Specter". So, they were having sex in blue light. Ok, it's not so funny when you read it, but I thought it was a good one. Anyway, like 300, sex scenes seem to be sprinkled in just for kicks. Now I'm not against sex in general, but as the saying goes; been there, done that. Though sex actually does enhance some moments of the film (the "Archie" scene I alluded to earlier) it really does nothing to move the plot along. In fact the "Archie" scene was more of a comedic moment than the steamy hot moment it was depicted to be. I guess super heroes with ED require different cures. It's funny what can float your boat (you'll just have to see it). Regardless, this might have been the only time in the film where I got a little bored (crazy, I know). This doesn't sound so bad until you see Dr. Manhattan getting all up in your face with his schlong for extended periods. I'm not particularly prudish about full frontal nudity when handled properly, but this was a bit much. This blue god-man was every man's worst locker room nightmare; the naked guy who acts like he's dressed. You know the one. He walks around without a towel and insists on carrying on conversations with his wanker hanging in your face. You can tolerate this for a minute or two, but he insists on walking around like this for 20 minutes or so. That's how Dr. Manhattan comes across in this movie. I don't want to get into his god-like mindset (what god needs cloths?), I just don't need to see him, or a woman for that matter, standing there naked ALL THE TIME! I'm a big believer in sexual teasing in films. There's nothing more arousing than that. I haven't even touched on the violence in this film. Unlike "300" with its CG blood spraying everywhere, "Watchmen" holds back a little more. Yet there is no shortage of dismemberment, face-smashing, bone-popping brutality. Though the action is limited, I thought it was well staged and not nearly as posed as in "300". I kind of enjoyed that part of it. So, in review; Sex and nudity is too much. Bone crushing brutal violence is OK. As twisted as that sounds it was all gratuitous to the nth degree.IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CHARACTERSI wouldn't say "Watchmen" has a particularly great or original story. What makes it original are its characters. You've got a guy who's a lot like Batman on the surface, yet nothing like Batman in demeanor. You've got a hero who is only a hero based on which side he's on. Some call these types "anti-heroes". I call them A-holes. You've got slutty vulnerable women heroes who kick butt; very cool. You've got a guy who is nothing like Batman on the surface, but has an even deeper, demented lack of compromise when it comes to justice. You've got the genius hero trying to save humanity with big swings and you've got the Goddish Dr. Manhattan who muddies the waters with his fading touch with humanity. What you end up with is a bunch of gifted people with all their warts and flaws trying, for the most part, to do the right things even if it kills us. As far as superheroes go, they mostly appear to be highly skilled fighters with mysterious enhanced strength or agility. Even though you never truly understand how most of the characters came by there special abilities, it never really is that important to know with the exception of Dr. Manhattan. The biggest bummer of them all is that my favorite character bites the big one in the end. The great thing is I cared.WHO'S WATCHING THE WATCHMEN? I AM!!It's no big surprise then that I loved this movie. Despite never having read the book, despite my disdain for the genre and Zack Snyder, despite what I felt was overwrought sexuality (crazy, I know) and despite a story that wasn't great, I loved this movie. I was entertained for almost the entire 3+ hours. For this I can thank the perfectly cast actors (check IMDB for details) portraying incredible characters that drip with humanity (Dr. Manhattan not withstanding). The story serves well enough as a scaffold for these character to interact and react in. I also have to give proper respect to Zack Snyder for actually not overdoing MOST of this film. In fact, most of it was just plain stunning to look at. I don't care if the book's author was cheesed off about this production. I don't care if it was true to source material or not (as I haven't read it). As a Superhero movie "Watchmen" just bumped down a bunch of other Super-movies on my list, including "Dark Knight". Highly recommended for those seeking great, original characters presented in an entertaining way.Action......4 starsActing/Characters......6 StarsVisuals......4.5 starsGratuities....3.5 starsAverage......4.5 stars

Für mich gehört Watchmen zu den bisher besten Comicverfilmungen überhaupt. Die intelligente Story, die faszinierende Optik, die hervorragenden Effekte und die tollen Darsteller packen den Zuschauer regelrecht.Umso erstaunlicher war es, dass im Erscheinungsjahr 2009, der Film bei uns nur in der Kinofassung, aber nicht im wesentlich besseren Director's Cut veröffentlicht wurde.Zum Glück konnte ich damals während eines USA/Kanada-Urlaubs die kanadische Blu-ray mit dem Director's Cut kaufen. Dieser erweitert die Kinofassung durch eine Vielzahl neuer Szenen erheblich. Später erschien dann noch der Ultimate Cut, der den Film um seine Vorgeschichte durch die Integration des Kurzfilms "Tales of the Black Freighter" erweitert.Dieser Ultimate Cut erscheint nun, nach rund 10 Jahren, endlich auch bei uns.Sehr zur Freude, ist nun auch die Heimkinoauswertung auf 4K-Disc endlich der Güte des Films würdig. Die Bildqualität ist dank der Unterstützung von Dolby Vision gut gelungen. Es gibt kein Rauschen, jedoch (wahrscheinlich beabsichtigten) Filmkorn, dafür aber eine gute Schärfe, leuchte Farben und ein im Vergleich zur normalen Blu-ray besseres Kontrastverhältnis. Dieser 10-Jahre-alte Film sieht aus, wie viele aktuelle Produktionen.Auch das Tonerlebnis ist super. Die Geräuschkulisse ist ausgesprochen großzügig und wird durch kräftigen Basseinsatz unterstützt. Toll ist auch die atmosphärische Filmmusik. Der Englische Ton ist gegenüber der deutschen DD 5.1-Tonspur jedoch klar dynamischer.Leider, haben es - wohl technisch bedingt - die vielen Extras der US-Blu-ray nicht auf diese Fassung geschafft, aber dennoch kann ich sagen, dass man nun endlich die beste Fassung des Films erhält.

I love this film anyway and have wanted to see the ultimate cut for a while now, problem is you simply cannot find the Blu ray in the UK unless you want to pay silly money. So when I saw this I tried to find a UK version which apparently does not exist. So I bought this as a bit of a gamble and wow did it pay off! To start there a disc full of extras and then a Blu ray directors cut which plays in my Xbox One X ( apparently as its the US version it shouldn't) but then to top it off the Watchmen finally in glorious 4k....It looks phenomenal, seriously the detail is brilliant and I have watched the Blu ray recently in order to compare and yes it looks so much more lifelike and fuller somehow. The Ultimate cut itself mixes the Directors cut with the cartoons from Black freighter to give you the complete comic book story feel and at 3 and a half hours it does just that believe me .Maybe the cut is not for everyone but this pack gives you a great cut in Blu ray and then brings this amazing movie up to the 4k definition it deserves.

Von Zack Snyders Verfilmung der düsteren Graphic Novel von Alan Moore aus dem Jahre 2009 gibt es insgesamt 3 Versionen. Die Kinoversion mit 163 Minuten, der Directors Cut mit 187 Minuten und ein Ultimate Cut, der auf stolze 215 Minuten kommt.Auf den Inhalt des Films werde ich nicht weiter eingehen, da bitte andere Rezis anchecken. Ich stelle hier nur die Frage, ob sich en Update auf den Ultimate Cut lohnt, falls man schon die anderen Versionen hat. Ich persönliche hatte bislang nur die Kinoversion auf DVD und habe mir das Update auf BluRay gegönnt.Im Gegensatz zur Kinoversion bietet der Directors Cut etwa 25 Minuten mehr an Filmmaterial und dies im wesentlichen kleinere Ergänzungen und erweiterte Einstellungen bereits vorhandener Szenen. Es wird also nichts wesentlich neues hinzugefügt. Musste man bei der Kinoversion schon genauer aufpassen, um den einen oder anderen Zusammenhang zu sehen und das komplizierte Figurengeflecht und ihre Vergangenheit zu verstehen, so wird es dem Zuschauer im Directors Cut einfacher gemacht, da viele Dinge eben einen erklärenden Charakter haben.Meiner Meinung nach machen diese Szenen den Film weder besser noch schlechter. Wer den Film wie ich schon in der ursprünglichen Version mochte, der wird sich über die Zusätze freuen, aber das grundlegende Filmerlebnis bleibt das Selbe,Im Ultimate Cut kommen ergänzend dann noch einmal knapp 30 Minuten hinzu. Allerdings handelt es sich hierbei zu 95% um die Parallelgeschichte eines Schiffskapitäns, die komplett als Zeichentrick Sequenzen umgesetzt sind. Um diese in den Grundfilm einzuweben gibt es ein paar kurze Szenen über einen Kiosk Betreiber, sowie einen jungen Mann, der diese Geschichte in Form eines Comic liest. Diese Geschichte nennt sich Tales of the Black Freighter und wurde bereits schon einmal separat veröffentlicht. Dieses Anime hatte auch eine FSK 18 und genau aus diesem Grund hat jetzt auch der Gesamtfilm eine FSK 18, anstatt wie vorher eine FSK 16.Man verpasst also praktisch nichts, wenn man den Directors Cut schon hat.Insgesamt hat mir der Film auch mit seinen 215 Minuten dann sehr viel Vergnügen bereitet, auch wenn ich hier sagen muss, dass er dann vom Pacing her schon anders rüberkommt und eben nicht mehr so schwungvoll ist, wie noch in der Kinoversion. Aber das ist Jammern von hohem Niveau. Schön ist jedenfalls, dass der Ultimate Cut es auch endlich nach Deutschland geschafft hat. Das hier nachträglich noch synchronisiert werden musste merkt man dem Ganzen nicht an. Hier wurde auf der Tonspur gute arbeitet geleistet, um alles gut zu integrieren,Insgesamt vergebe ich auch für diese Version gerne 5 Sterne. Kaufempfehlung.

I wasn't to sure what to expect from the movie but having read the comic book I can say the best option is to just read that.A big chunk of the movie is word for word dialogue from the book so all it serves to do is to do what Alan Moore didn't want which is to translate to film. The bits which heavily deviate are long, flowing, fight sequences which goes against the original book, and more heavy involvement from president Nixon which seems utterly pointless and doesn't add value.The acting overall is poor and unconvincing and it just ends up quote cheesy rather than dark and gritty and deep like the comic book.

Disappointed with this German UHD release. The movie is great but at that extended length it would have been better spread over two UHD discs rather than including a blu-ray copy with no extra features. Sound and vision aren't a huge improvement on the standard blu-ray despite the Dolby Vision (I have a player and TV that support this format).