Still not sure what I think of the film. I haven't read the graphic novel, but I get a sense some of the stuff that didn't feel right was trying to stay 'true' to the book instead of adapting the book to work better on film. Transitions were not smooth and whenever it switched back to Rorschach, it felt like a sudden change into noir genre.
I watched it yesterday. I've read the book and agree with the bolded above. There's more to making a "faithful adaptation" than repeating a book's dialogue. Good adaptations capture the essence of their source material; things might be changed around here or there, but ultimately, staying true to the spirit of the work is more important. That's why LOTR works so well imo. If Jackson had taken the Synder approach it would be unwatchable; imagine sitting through a verbatim account of the Council of Elrond.
Nerds often leave theaters disappointed that the adaption was nothing like the source material. Synder seems more obsessed with ensuring that doesn't happen as compared to making a good movie. Now imo, it's not horrible. But the script just sounds so fucking bad. Maybe it's the wooden, emotionless delivery of lines, but I doubt Marlon Brando could make "whatever happened to the American dream?" sound believable. Often there are no pauses or dramatic...anything in the delivery. It's just "so yea...I heard he was working for the government.." yawn. Clearly more time was put into framing shots (which often look great) than working with the actors.
There are some cringe worthy bad scenes here though. Like the part after Rorschach warns Manhattan/Laurie. Laurie wants to go meet Night Owl, and Manhattan goes into this long, wooden scientific lecture about...whatever. Something that comes with the territory in a comic book. But it just sucks the fucking air out of that scene in the movie. It's the type of thing that's usually followed by a quick joke to wake the audience up or something. The movie is full of stuff like that though
Lots of the action is damn cartoony, which meshes poorly with the serious nature of everything else in the movie. In fact, the only saving grace of the movie is the beginning scene/credits scene, and Rorschach. Great character brought to life perfectly. I liked The Comedian as well, for the most part (that rape scene was cringe worthy).
edit: also I thought Manhattan's POV/origin was done very well. That ten or so minute part is great
ending spoiler:
spoiler (click to show/hide)
I couldn't help but think that the ending was odd. Maybe I'm jaded, but if a US government weapon/uber god went rogue and bombed cities around the world, wouldn't the US be held responsible? I dunno if I can buy Russia kissing and making up in that situation.
