Watchmen (2009)

DVD COVER/SIDE

MPPA Certifcate Number: 44894

Length of film: 162 minutes (Director’s Cut: 186 Minutes) (Ultimate Cut: 215 Minutes)

Rated: R

Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery

Staring: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, Carlo Gugino

Director: Zack Snyder  

IMDB Rank: 7.6/10

Part 1 Time:  92 Minutes (Director’s Cut: 107 Minutes) (Ultimate Cut: 120 Minutes)

Part 2 Time:  70 Minutes (Director’s Cut: 79 Minutes) (Ultimate Cut: 95 Minutes)

Where does the first part end?  Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) is taunted in the prison cafeteria an altercation with the other inmates ensues.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “I’m not locked up in here with you, YOU’RE LOCKED UP IN HERE WITH ME!” shouts Rorschach.

First line of dialogue on the second part:  No dialogue- Laurie (Malin Akerman) snoops around the basement of Daniel’s (Patrick Wilson) building where she finds the Night Owl’s lab and his flying machine.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, at this point in the film the Earth continues to edge closer toward nuclear war as the tension between the Soviet Union and the United States intensifies. Rorschach is in prison and is no longer able to investigate who is behind the conspiracy plot to discredit and murder all past and present superheroes. Meanwhile, Mr. Manhattan has decided to leave Earth, teleporting to Mars. Will Earth’s remaining superhero’s be able to save Earth from nuclear catastrophe?

Which part is better?  Part one details each character’s current and past situations, including the history of the Watchman group and their mandated disbandment from the United States government. In part two, the current nuclear situation and murder conspiracy are brought into focus. Both parts are equally well done, but part two is given an edge due to the climax conclusion of the film.

Academy Awards: None