I have never read the graphic novel, but I did study the story line prior to going to see it at the theater. I find that I enjoy a film more if I do a little research ahead of time, especially if the story line is complex.
I took my son, Thomas, and a few of his friends. They sat in the eyesore, neck stretch section and I wanted a more enjoyable movie experience. I sat, by myself, in the geographical center of the auditorium with my basic movie props. Bottled Water, Twizzlers, Watch, Creative Zen Micro, Ebook reader.
The Scorebord
Watch Glances (my indicator of boredom) - 0
Zen Listens (dialogue drowner) - 0
Lines of ebook read (Visual distractor) - 0
In all, I give it an A.
It highlights all of the tension of the arms race of the 1980's, while the narrator (Rorschach) investigates the death of another superhero. Will Collier's review highlights the following:
Not only does Snyder's film fail to even remotely acknowledge how thoroughly wrong Moore's by-the-numbers leftism turned out to be, he lards on additional political cheap shots to go with Moore's 80's-era Reagan Derangement Syndrome, to the point of lauding an American-Soviet alliance at the end of the movie.
The by-the-numbers leftism really is Reagan Derangement Syndrome - the arms buildup is caused by already having strength (in the form of the Dr Manhattan) and the Soviets respond by growing their nuclear arsenal to unheard of proportions. Something has to be done.
Again, "I want to see it again" therefore A.
The real irony is, that the Soviets DID spend a phenomenal amount of money on an arms buildup (countering Star Wars) and then they collapsed.
In the light of the current US Government perchant to bailouts I would like to point out what happens when a Government spends money it doesn't have. The Soviet Union is a perfect example of a superpower collapsing due to bankruptcy.
