For a Cold War, a Blue Superhero (and Friends)

NYT-Weekend Arts, C1
Friday, March 7, 2009
By: A.O. Scott

This movie review is very funny. Scott says the movie was really good, full of action, but it would have been better to watch it in 1985 when the movie takes place, and when the movie would have made more sense. He also uses the stereotype of an ‘80’s, nerdy freshmen or sophomore in college who still has his comic book collection full of dust and is excited to finally see one of his favorite comics “The Watchmen” come out in theaters.

Scott continues using this stereotype by writing about the female costumes and how the nerd would really enjoy seeing actresses Carla Gugino and Malin Akerman who accessorize with shoulder-padded spandex leotards, belts, and high heeled boots.

Scott’s “but” statement is right in the middle of the review: “Mr. Moore--whose work has been poorly served by movies like ‘V for Vendetta,’ ‘From Hell’ and ‘The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen’--has declared that ‘Watchmen’ is impossible to film. Perhaps he meant to say redundant, wince there are times that the filmmakers seem to have used his book less as an inspiration than as a storyboard. The inevitable omission of some stuff-a pirate-themed comic-within-the-comic; a mysterious gathering of artists and writers; a giant squid-may rankle die-hard cultists, but the tome of world-weary, self-justifying rage has been faithfully preserved, which may be a problem for everyone else.”

While commenting on the horrible sex that occurs with characters Silk Spectre and Nite Owl II in his airship, the song “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen is playing during the scene, which Scott questions what is it with this song playing in movies so often. “Yes, I too have heard there was a secret chord that David played, and blah blah blah, but I don‘t want to hear it again. Do you?” He then gives another “but:” “The sex may be laughable, but the violence is another matter.” He talks about the action that occurs and how well the actors and actresses perform it.

The review ends with a comment on the film’s dramatic conflict, which he feels is immature. “Perhaps there is some pleasure to be found in regressing into this belligerent, adolescent state of mind. But maybe it‘s better to grow up.”