Watchmen review
In the interest of full disclosure, I have never read graphic novel, Watchmen. I went to see this movie last night. As a film, Watchmen was very good. The acting was great. The CGI effects are wonderful. The story was a fascinating character story, dramatic and at times brutal. The music was perfect. I never thought Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah would be right up there with Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get it On, but it worked so well in this particular scene. Having not read Watchmen, I cannot speak for the adaptability to the screen. My husband has read the graphic novel, so I will bow to his opinion and say that it stuck fairly closely to the graphic novel.
Having said all that, I was fairly bored for most of film. I do not normally enjoy dramas or character studies, so that would probably explain why I was so bored. There were few action scenes, but the ones there were, were very reminiscent in style and cinematography to 300 (a movie I adore). These gory scenes did not bother me at all in 300, but in Watchmen, I just could not handle it. I gave up trying to watch it and just started covering my eyes and waiting for the gore to pass. There were no characters in this film for me to identify with or even like. I felt more like a spectator than a part of the experience. I feel like this movie would appeal to the fans of the graphic novel and people who enjoy high drama films. For the rest of us, or at least for me I do not believe I will want to watch it again.
Incredible Hulk
We went to see Incredible Hulk this weekend and let me just say, it made me totally forget all about the first Hulk. The movie was perfectly casted from Edward Norton as Bruce Banner to the General. I love that Marvel is making their movies exist in the same universe now just like the comic books; it makes crossovers all the more possible. I wasn’t even annoyed by the Liv Tyler’s Betty. Edward Norton did a wonderful job with Bruce. The chemistry between the two characters was electrifying. I did not feel that chemistry in Hulk between Jennifer Connelly and Eric Bana.
I liked that the Hulk was much more proportionate to the Hulk in the comic versus the Ang Lee version where Hulk was a giant. The action sequences were impressive. I found myself grinning like a fool and clapping joyously as Hulk smashes through soldiers and various and sundry weaponry. This version was a lot closer to the original TV show and the comic book, especially some of the current story lines before Planet Hulk.
His roar of rage was mightily impressive and the Hulk’s expressions! They were priceless. There are moments when he is fighting Abomination are just wonderful. It’s difficult to explain, but you almost see Bruce Banner underneath the Hulk persona.
One issue in the Bruce Jones run of comic book, particularly one frame that my husband showed me, has Bruce calling forth the power of the Hulk without transforming into the Hulk. His eyes glowed green, just before he beat up a group of jerks at a bar. **MINOR SPOILER ALERT** The movie ends with that idea firmly in place.
I give this movie a solid 4 1/2 stars out 5. (The 1/2 star missing is for future improvement and because Samuel Sterns character was annoying.)
