Comic-Con: Watchmen Footage Wows, Rattles

[Kire]

Fri., Jul. 25, 2008 3:56 PM PDT by Luke Y. Thompson

The most buzzed-about movie at this year's San Diego Comic-Con is, without a doubt, the brainy, violent superhero flick Watchmen. So director Zack Snyder (300) brought plenty of ammo to today's panel, including his cast, some dark philosophy and very crowd-pleasing visuals.

"People are starting to realize that superhero movies don't just exist as mindless entertainment," Snyder said, mentioning The Dark Knight in particular. "They talk about stuff that's serious."

The new, effects-heavy footage played like catnip to fans at the swarming pop-culture expo—and they demanded to see it a second time. Here are the details:

Based on Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' sprawling and acclaimed graphic novel, Watchmen is set in an alternate reality where costumed heroes are common but outlawed. Like 300, it stars mostly unknowns and a ton of cutting-edge effects, including Billy Crudup as a huge, glowing-blue nuclear-fueled superbeing.

When asked about any potential rivalry with the Blue Man Group, Crudup deadpanned: "We're not on speaking terms any more."

More: http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b147936_comic-con_watchmen_footage_wows_rattles.html

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

1. Hopefully worth the wait

Hollywood's batted Watchmen about for so long. It was always interesting to hear who was pursuing it. Zach Snyder seems to have a lot of reverence for his source material (many scenes in 300 are *exactly* as they appeared in Frank Miller's original comic, published in hardcover storybook format by Dark Horse Comics).

The trailer I've seen looks like he's following the design and mood of Alan Moore's original script and Dave Gibbons' clean linework and classical design style.

I guess it remains to be seen if the message of the story will be delivered, or perceived by audiences.

[Orrex]

2. Even after all these years, I *HATE* Dave Gibbons' artwork

And that goes for his Martha Washington stuff, too.

I posted about the trailer last week in The Lounge, stating there how impressed I was by it, and that's still true. Nevertheless, fidelity to the panel doesn't necessarily translate into a good film, no matter good the source material as a whole. Even the vaunted 300 was only pretty good in my book, weighed down by the ponderous VO narrative (even if we accept that the narrative is Faramir's telling of the tale long after the fact, it's still ponderous).

But I'm hopeful that Watchmen will be as good as the trailer makes it appear to be...

[Steerpike]

3. FANTASTIC!

I saw the preview at the theatre right before Hellboy...I almost cried...this could be bigger than king kong...

[The Doctor.]

6. Me too. The previews were exact panels from the books.

Just can't wait.

[shadowknows69]

4. I think one of the keys to making any successful "comic book" movie

Is to take the philosophy of comics themselves in that there is no time/room for wasted space. Every panel must have purpose. That's why "Sin City" and "300" were great adaptations of their source material because they filmed scenes like panels, with no wasted space or unnecessary exposition. Miller's "The Spirit" is looking good too. I think Snyder may actually pull off a movie that maybe even Alan Moore might like.

[comrade snarky]

5. I am filled with hope and worry

All at the same time.

The scenes I saw in the promo were beautiful. It caught the feel of the book and some scenes were straight from the panels but will the Alan Moore curse of crappy movies continue? I was enjoying V for Vendetta right up until the end when, for no apparent reason, they lost the theme completely.

Ah well, it's not like I wont go see it for the visuals alone. Just nobody tell Alan Moore I'm going :-)