Watchmen Special Edition
What?
Watchmen is set in a fictitious 1980s where Richard Nixon is still President and America has won the Vietnam War. In 1977 the Keene Act was introduced to outlaw all acts of masked vigilantism, forcing most superheroes into hiding. When Edward Blake, aka The Comedian, is brutally murdered in his own apartment one night however, Rorschach, a masked avenger, senses trouble and investigates further. Fearing someone is out to rid the world of his kind he calls on fellow superheroes, Nite Owl, Ozymandias, Silk Spectre and the only superhero with genuine super powers, Doctor Manhattan.
Adapted from the hugely popular and critically acclaimed graphic novel of the same name, Watchmen is unlike any other so called superhero film. One thing that sets it apart from the norm is the ultra dark tone and graphic violence, with an eighteen certificate it stands pretty much alone. This is a film for the fans, not the suits counting the takings. Think Sin City rather than Spider-Man. Having not read the novel but knowing a little about it, I kind of knew what to expect from the film in terms of content but it was the style that shocked me. In a good way. The film is absolutely stunning to look at; the set pieces jump off the screen, the production design unique. Every frame has been put together meticulously, every element thought through. By all accounts, Zack Snyder’s Watchmen sticks very close to the original source material right down to actual moments from the novel appearing in the film frame for frame. It’s this type of attention to detail and respect for the graphic novel that has contributed to Snyder winning a lot of friends and fans. I’m eagerly anticipating his next project I can tell you that. Having sung the film’s praises thus far it is only fair to point out that Watchmen will not be everybody’s cup of tea. The film is long – if you are lucky enough to own the US director’s cut it’s even longer. Sections do drag and anyone expecting one action set piece after another will be sorely disappointed. The violence is graphic and fairly frequent. If you don’t have the stomach for limbs being broken, bullets ripping through flesh and people, well, exploding, then I think its best you move on right now. Personally, the length was a minor issue, I actually enjoyed the characters back stories and sub plots. And the violence? Bring it on. Watchmen is different from the norm and that makes it even more exciting to me. Beautiful to look at, put together with skill, and featuring some terrific performances, this is one that must be seen.
Optics:
For a film that is such eye candy I am so pleased to report that the Blu-ray transfer is reference quality. The print is absolutely pristine with no faults to report whatsoever. Fine detail can be seen during facial close ups, the varying textures throughout the film are a joy to look at whether Rorschach’s sack like mask is on screen or Nite Owl’s plastic, rubber suit. Much of the film is set at night and blacks couldn’t be stronger, while contrast levels are as good as any I’ve seen on the format. And as dark as the film is at times, many sequences feature bright, eye popping colours that really zing. Dr Manhattan’s blue glow, the eye shattering blue jets of Nite Owl’s ship, The Comedian’s yellow badge – wow. Blu-ray doesn’t get much better than this.
Sonics:
During the first ten minutes I had already written down: "one of the best Dolby TrueHD tracks I’ve ever heard". And I stand by that statement. The opening sequence – the murder of The Comedian – is mind blowing, featuring some of the finest sound design I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing. Fists crunch, bones crack, bullets whoosh. This lossless track deals with anything and everything that is thrown at it including Nite Owl’s ship which just sounds incredible thanks to some of the smoothest, controlled, yet lowest bass I’ve heard in a long, long time. I love this soundtrack! It is worth noting that the US director’s cut comes equipped with a DTS-HD soundtrack, and although I often prefer the DTS option, I cannot see how this could be improved. I’d like to hear it though…..
Extras:
Including the feature film, we have three discs here, but in reality, the amount of extras falls some way short of a genuine special edition and of the aforementioned US director’s cut. Four featurettes, the longest of which is just shy of thirty minutes, eleven webisodes, a music video and a digital copy is your lot. No Maximum Movie Mode interactive feature which has been receiving a fair amount of praise across the internet. Shame.
Well?
On the face of it, what we have here is a pure no brainer. A superbly made, unique film, on a disc that delivers reference quality audio and visuals. The thing is this US release. The director’s cut features some twenty four minutes of extra footage, the disc includes the Maximum Movie Mode feature plus a DTS-HD soundtrack. Oh and there’s an Ultimate Collector’s Edition due in the US in December. One thing’s for sure, you need to own Watchmen on Blu-ray, the question is, which one do you go for? I’m afraid that’s your call…..
Tom Day
Watchmen is set in a fictitious 1980s where Richard Nixon is still President and America has won the Vietnam War. In 1977 the Keene Act was introduced to outlaw all acts of masked vigilantism, forcing most superheroes into hiding. When Edward Blake, aka The Comedian, is brutally murdered in his own apartment one night however, Rorschach, a masked avenger, senses trouble and investigates further. Fearing someone is out to rid the world of his kind he calls on fellow superheroes, Nite Owl, Ozymandias, Silk Spectre and the only superhero with genuine super powers, Doctor Manhattan.
Adapted from the hugely popular and critically acclaimed graphic novel of the same name, Watchmen is unlike any other so called superhero film. One thing that sets it apart from the norm is the ultra dark tone and graphic violence, with an eighteen certificate it stands pretty much alone. This is a film for the fans, not the suits counting the takings. Think Sin City rather than Spider-Man. Having not read the novel but knowing a little about it, I kind of knew what to expect from the film in terms of content but it was the style that shocked me. In a good way. The film is absolutely stunning to look at; the set pieces jump off the screen, the production design unique. Every frame has been put together meticulously, every element thought through. By all accounts, Zack Snyder’s Watchmen sticks very close to the original source material right down to actual moments from the novel appearing in the film frame for frame. It’s this type of attention to detail and respect for the graphic novel that has contributed to Snyder winning a lot of friends and fans. I’m eagerly anticipating his next project I can tell you that. Having sung the film’s praises thus far it is only fair to point out that Watchmen will not be everybody’s cup of tea. The film is long – if you are lucky enough to own the US director’s cut it’s even longer. Sections do drag and anyone expecting one action set piece after another will be sorely disappointed. The violence is graphic and fairly frequent. If you don’t have the stomach for limbs being broken, bullets ripping through flesh and people, well, exploding, then I think its best you move on right now. Personally, the length was a minor issue, I actually enjoyed the characters back stories and sub plots. And the violence? Bring it on. Watchmen is different from the norm and that makes it even more exciting to me. Beautiful to look at, put together with skill, and featuring some terrific performances, this is one that must be seen.
Optics:
For a film that is such eye candy I am so pleased to report that the Blu-ray transfer is reference quality. The print is absolutely pristine with no faults to report whatsoever. Fine detail can be seen during facial close ups, the varying textures throughout the film are a joy to look at whether Rorschach’s sack like mask is on screen or Nite Owl’s plastic, rubber suit. Much of the film is set at night and blacks couldn’t be stronger, while contrast levels are as good as any I’ve seen on the format. And as dark as the film is at times, many sequences feature bright, eye popping colours that really zing. Dr Manhattan’s blue glow, the eye shattering blue jets of Nite Owl’s ship, The Comedian’s yellow badge – wow. Blu-ray doesn’t get much better than this.
Sonics:
During the first ten minutes I had already written down: "one of the best Dolby TrueHD tracks I’ve ever heard". And I stand by that statement. The opening sequence – the murder of The Comedian – is mind blowing, featuring some of the finest sound design I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing. Fists crunch, bones crack, bullets whoosh. This lossless track deals with anything and everything that is thrown at it including Nite Owl’s ship which just sounds incredible thanks to some of the smoothest, controlled, yet lowest bass I’ve heard in a long, long time. I love this soundtrack! It is worth noting that the US director’s cut comes equipped with a DTS-HD soundtrack, and although I often prefer the DTS option, I cannot see how this could be improved. I’d like to hear it though…..
Extras:
Including the feature film, we have three discs here, but in reality, the amount of extras falls some way short of a genuine special edition and of the aforementioned US director’s cut. Four featurettes, the longest of which is just shy of thirty minutes, eleven webisodes, a music video and a digital copy is your lot. No Maximum Movie Mode interactive feature which has been receiving a fair amount of praise across the internet. Shame.
Well?
On the face of it, what we have here is a pure no brainer. A superbly made, unique film, on a disc that delivers reference quality audio and visuals. The thing is this US release. The director’s cut features some twenty four minutes of extra footage, the disc includes the Maximum Movie Mode feature plus a DTS-HD soundtrack. Oh and there’s an Ultimate Collector’s Edition due in the US in December. One thing’s for sure, you need to own Watchmen on Blu-ray, the question is, which one do you go for? I’m afraid that’s your call…..
Tom Day
Director:
Zack Snyder
Starring:
Malin Akerman
Billy Crudup
Matthew Goode
Jackie Earle Haley
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Patrick Wilson
Best line:
"Maybe someone's picking off costumed heroes?"
Tagline:
"This city is afraid of me. I've seen its true face."
Description:
Paramount
UK
Region free
Rated 18
2Hrs 35 Mins
2.35:1
Dolby TrueHD 5.1
(English)
Subttles: English, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portugese, Spanish, Swedish
'The Phenomenon: The Comic That Changed Comics'
'Real Superheroes, Real Vigilantes'
Video Journals (Webisodes)
10 Years Of Dr. Manhattan (1970: NBS Special News Report)
The Keene Act & You (1977: US Public Service Announcement)
Who Watches The Watchmen? (1983: Celebrity News Feature)
World In Focus (1985: British Late Night Discussion Programme)
Music video
Ratings: (Out of 10)
Film 9.0
Optics 10.0
Sonics 10.0
Extras 5.0
Overall 9.0
