Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Watchmen (2009)
Watchmen
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDesk
Promotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

Photos (see all 235 | slideshow) Videos (see all 33)
Watchmen (2009) -- When an ex-superhero is murdered, a vigilante named Rorshach begins an investigation into the murder, which begins to lead to a much more terrifying conclusion.
Watchmen (2009) -- Nite Owl and Comedian face the crowd.
Watchmen (2009) -- Here's the 12th video journal for Zack Snyder's Watchmen.
Watchmen (2009) -- Director Zack Snyder offers his thanks as production on Watchmen begins.
Watchmen (2009) -- This is a Watchmen trailer that was shown during the 2008 Scream Awards.

Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   77,456 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 177% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Zack Snyder
Writers (WGA):
David Hayter (screenplay) and
Alex Tse (screenplay) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Watchmen on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
6 March 2009 (USA) more
Tagline:
This city is afraid of me. I've seen its true face. more
Plot:
When an ex-superhero is murdered, a vigilante named Rorschach begins an investigation into the murder, which begins to lead to a much more terrifying conclusion. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
1 nomination more
User Comments:
very good, even if you've read the book. more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Watchmen: The IMAX Experience (USA) (IMAX version)
more
MPAA:
Rated R for strong graphic violence, sexuality, nudity and language. (also director's cut and ultimate edition)
Runtime:
162 min | 186 min (director's cut)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
SDDS | DTS | Dolby Digital
Certification:
USA:R (certificate #44894) | Czech Republic:15 | Australia:MA | South Korea:18 | UK:18 | Netherlands:16 | Ireland:18 (original rating) | Finland:K-15 | Singapore:R21 | Singapore:M18 (edited for re-rating) | New Zealand:R16 | Ireland:16 (re-rating on appeal) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Germany:16 | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Portugal:M/16 (Qualidade) | Japan:R-15 | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Brazil:18 | Philippines:R-13 (MTRCB) | Norway:15 | Spain:18 | Portugal:M/16 | France:-12 | Iceland:16 | Hong Kong:IIB (cut version) | Hong Kong:III (IMAX DMR version) | Italy:VM14 | Sweden:15 | Argentina:16 | Peru:18 | Mexico:C | USA:R (director's cut) (certificate #45165) | USA:R (Ultimate edition) (certificate #45166) | Denmark:15 | Austria:16

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The picture of The Comedian shaking hands with President Nixon is based on the photograph of Richard Nixon shaking hands with Elvis Presley. more
Goofs:
Continuity: In the scene where Laurie and Dan talk inside a coffeehouse, you can see people outside through a circular window. If you pay attention to them you can see a women appearing and disappearing suddenly, along with some other people. more
Quotes:
Dan Dreiberg: So I've been thinking, I feel we have an obligation to our fraternity... I think we oughta spring Rorshach.
Laurie Juspeczyk: What?
Dan Dreiberg: Someone set him up. This whole cancer thing with Jon, it just doesn't make sense. You didn't get it.
Laurie Juspeczyk: Yeah, but breaking into a maximum security prison is a lot different than putting out a fire.
Dan Dreiberg: Yeah, you're right... it'll be more fun.
more
Movie Connections:
Features Altered States (1980) more
Soundtrack:
The Sounds of Silence more

FAQ

Why does Rorschach's mask move? How does Rorschach start crime fighting?
Is "Watchmen" based on a book?
Why are there two Nite Owls and two Silk Spectres?
more
194 out of 350 people found the following comment useful:-
very good, even if you've read the book., 1 March 2009
Author: gcj4201987 from United States

I recently saw a free (oh yes) early showing of Watchmen and have to say that it was very good. There have been few movies that I have been this excited for. Some disappointed horribly (Spiderman 3), and some far exceeded my expectations (Dark Knight). This movie falls somewhere in between, leaning closer to exceeded what I thought was going to be a hard book to turn into a movie.

The first half of the film is extremely accurate to the book and very well done. While there are some differences from the book (for example, Dan Dreiberg goes to warn Viedt about the "masked killer", not Rorschach) but almost all of them are excusable and didn't effect the flow of the movie or my ability to enjoy it. Even as far as dialog goes, the movie stays true to the book. Towards the middle, some of the differences begin to effect the film. The best example I can think of is how Dr. Manhattan acts during his live interview (I'll restrain from giving away any scenes). Not only did the course of events change from the book (which I can understand, given there must be some sort of time limit for a film), but some of what he says was pretty much copy and pasted from other scenes in the book. Nevertheless, I was able to oversee these differences and enjoy the film.

The ending of the movie was the biggest change from the book that I noticed. I think they did this for 2 reasons. 1, I had heard that they were going to include an aspect of energy and where we get it into the film, making it more topical. Secondly, I think the ending of the book would have been too out there for most viewers and would have required a lot more explaining (which the book gives) then would have been feasible for the length of the film (it was about 2 and a half hours long).

I think if you have read the book, you will enjoy the movie. You'll probably spend a lot of time making sure the movie stays true to the book (like I did), but then you'll stop and just enjoy it for being a good movie. I think if you haven't read the book, you might enjoy the movie even more. As most readers know, it is unlike any comic book and actually answers the question, what would the world be like with superheroes? We see even the ones we like have dark sides and the ones we don't have the best intentions.

On a closing note, there are some things I would have changed, had I been to art school and had a gazillion dollar budget for a movie of this magnitude. For one, I think making Dr. Manhattan appear nude, while keeping true to the book, takes away from the movie. I heard a lot of snickers whenever you could see his penis, and I even think they may have showed it more than they do in the book (if you've read the book, take note of the scene were Rorschach comes to visit him and Laurie). I think while it was done with good intentions, covering him up would have been acceptable and not have changed anything about the movie. Also, while I really enjoyed 300 and all the fight scenes in it, the style of slowing down a punch or kick and then speeding it up to real time, I felt, didn't work for this movie and sort of made it seem corny. 300 the book is written like a comic book. Watchmen isn't. The fight scenes, as gritty as they were, still felt like I as watching 300 again. Besides these small points, I thought the movie was awesome and I recommend it to reader and non- reader of Watchmen alike.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Watchmen (2009)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Anyone think The Comedian got what he deserved? WhoopsieThree-D
Fanboys suck poetbynature1785
People love to hate this movie... badyakuza
Bland adaptation of the comic cens0red
3-Hour 'DC' Crammed on 1 Disc!? urpick18
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
V for Vendetta Sin City The Dark Knight Blade Runner Chik loh go yeung
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Action section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.