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WATCHMEN (Running Time: 163 min; Rated: R)
Reviewed by Denise Castillón

Be prepared for vivid violence and explicit sexual content in Zack Snyders’ rousing graphic novel-based action-adventure film, WATCHMEN. To the twisted delight of a comic book loving audience, Jackie Earle Haley portrayal of the ultra-violent, but justice-driven protagonist Rorschach rivals Heath Ledgers performance as “The Joker”.

In a parallel universe, two generations of masked crime-fighters allied with Dr. Manhattan, an actual hero with atomic superpowers, come out of retirement to uncover who may be targeting them for elimination, and why?

Despite the distraction of a love triangle amongst them, they expose the mother of all conspiracies that threatens all life on earth. The conflicted team of superheroes must decide if the world is worth saving given the self-destructive nature of humankind.

The “Watchmen’” contains a spectacular journey through its re-imagined U.S. history. Starting in the 1940’s, when the band of vigilantes formed, all the way to the story’s eventual setting in 1985, during the Cold-War era and under President Nixon’s’ reign. Unfortunately, the younger set will likely overlook the historically famous references, including the music selected perfectly to embody each passing decade.

Starring Malin Akerman as Laurie Jupiter, AKA Silk Spectre II; Billy Crudup as Jon Osterman, AKA Dr. Manhattan; Matthew Goode as Adrian Veidt, AKA Ozymandias; Carla Gugino as Sally Jupiter, AKA Silk Spectre; Oscar® nominee Jackie Earle Haley (“Little Children”) as Walter Kovacs, AKA Rorschach; Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Edward Blake, AKA The Comedian; and Patrick Wilson as Dan Dreiberg, AKA Nite Owl II.

Directed by Zack Snyder (“300”). Cinematography by Larry Fong. Screenplay by David Hayter and Alex Tse, based upon the graphic novel co-created and illustrated by Dave Gibbons and published by DC Comics. Edited by William Hoy. Production designed by Alex McDowell. Costume designed by Michael Wilkinson. Music by Tyler Bates.

Produced by Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin and Deborah Snyder. Herbert W. Gains and Thomas Tull are the executive producers. Released by Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures.