Rated R for graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language.
Directed by Zack Snyder (300)
Starring Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley, Matthew Goode, Billy Crudup, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Malin Akerman, Carla Gugino, Stephen McHattie, and Matt Frewer
“Who’s watching the Watchmen?” Unfortunately a lot of our teenagers.
A complex, multi-layered mystery adventure, Watchmen is set in an alternate 1985 America in which costumed superheroes are part of the fabric of everyday society, and the “Doomsday Clock” – which charts the USA's tension with the Soviet Union – is permanently set at five minutes to midnight. When one of his former colleagues is murdered, the washed-up but no less determined masked vigilante, Rorschach, sets out to uncover a plot to kill and discredit all past and present superheroes. As he reconnects with his former crime-fighting legion – a ragtag group of retired superheroes, only one of whom has true powers – Rorschach glimpses a wide-ranging and disturbing conspiracy with links to their shared past and catastrophic consequences for the future. Their mission is to watch over humanity…but who is watching the watchmen?
There's a lot of hype surrounding this latest comic book film and our students are lining up to see it. I was not a fan of the 12-issue graphic novel and knew very little about the story or characters as I walked into the theater. As the movie started, I felt like I was watching it in fast-forward because there was so much information in those first few minutes. Over the next two and half hours, I experienced varying levels of understanding as each character is introduced, including detailed back stories and the history of the first set of Watchmen, known years ago as the Minutemen (including the original Silk Spectre, Mothman, Dollar Bill and Nite Owl I).
Since Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ graphic novel was first published in 1986, “Watchmen” has been called un-filmable. Most believed it was impossible to get all the content into a single movie, but director Zack Snyder has done an amazing job with the story and visually, it's amazing. The cinematography, costumes and special effects are stunning. But the adult-themed plot, over-the-top violence, disturbing gore and gratuitous sex made it an unenjoyable film. Unlike the comic book films we have seen recently, including last year's The Dark Knight, Iron Man, and The Incredible Hulk, Watchmen is sick and disturbing. Superman stood for ‘Truth, justice and the American way’; the Watchmen pursue sex, violence and personal vendettas. I walked out of the theater overwhelmed by what I had just watched.
My advice… “skip it.”
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
No. This R-rated film will certainly attract the same teen audience who enjoyed other comic book movies, but this one is clearly intended for an adult audience. Dr. Manhattan is naked through almost the entire movie and they show everything. There is also an attempted rape scene, as well as several sex scenes. The language and violence/gore are graphic and overwhelming. This superhero movie is not for kids.
Side Note:
As said above, we recommend you skip this film. But on the occasion that your teen actually has already seen it, you may want to dialogue about the film with them. These questions below may be a help to you.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
- What are some of the messages or themes you observed in this movie?
- How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
- How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
