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IMDbPro

Watchmen

  • 20092009
  • RR
  • 2h 42m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
547K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
459
45
Billy Crudup, Malin Akerman, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson in Watchmen (2009)
Watch Tráiler [ES]
Play trailer2:20
26 Videos
99+ Photos
ActionDramaMystery
In 1985 where former superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach into his own sprawling investigation, uncovering something that could completely change the... Read allIn 1985 where former superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach into his own sprawling investigation, uncovering something that could completely change the course of history as we know it.In 1985 where former superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach into his own sprawling investigation, uncovering something that could completely change the course of history as we know it.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
547K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
459
45
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Zack Snyder
    • Writers
      • Dave Gibbons(based on the graphic novel co-created by)
      • David Hayter(screenplay by)
      • Alex Tse(screenplay by)
    • Stars
      • Jackie Earle Haley
      • Patrick Wilson
      • Carla Gugino
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Zack Snyder
    • Writers
      • Dave Gibbons(based on the graphic novel co-created by)
      • David Hayter(screenplay by)
      • Alex Tse(screenplay by)
    • Stars
      • Jackie Earle Haley
      • Patrick Wilson
      • Carla Gugino
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.5KUser reviews
    • 475Critic reviews
    • 56Metascore
    • Awards
      • 11 wins & 24 nominations

    Videos26

    Tráiler [ES]
    Trailer 2:20
    Tráiler [ES]
    Watchmen: Trailer #2
    Trailer 2:33
    Watchmen: Trailer #2
    Watchmen: Scream Awards Trailer
    Trailer 1:49
    Watchmen: Scream Awards Trailer
    Watchmen: Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:22
    Watchmen: Trailer #1
    Watchmen: Journal #4
    Trailer 2:49
    Watchmen: Journal #4
    A Guide to the Films of Zack Snyder
    Clip 1:31
    A Guide to the Films of Zack Snyder
    The "Watchmen" Easter Eggs You Missed
    Clip 3:50
    The "Watchmen" Easter Eggs You Missed
    What We Know About "Watchmen" ... So Far
    Clip 3:19
    What We Know About "Watchmen" ... So Far
    Watchmen
    Clip 1:26
    Watchmen
    Watchmen
    Clip 0:51
    Watchmen
    Watchmen
    Clip 0:31
    Watchmen
    Watchmen
    Clip 1:07
    Watchmen

    Photos396

    Matthew Goode and Jeffrey Dean Morgan in Watchmen (2009)
    Matthew Goode in Watchmen (2009)
    Malin Akerman and Patrick Wilson in Watchmen (2009)
    Jackie Earle Haley in Watchmen (2009)
    Matthew Goode in Watchmen (2009)
    Matthew Goode and Jeffrey Dean Morgan in Watchmen (2009)
    Dave Gibbons in Watchmen (2009)
    Zack Snyder and Robert Wisden in Watchmen (2009)
    Jackie Earle Haley in Watchmen (2009)
    Malin Akerman in Watchmen (2009)
    Jackie Earle Haley in Watchmen (2009)
    Patrick Wilson and Dave Gibbons in Watchmen (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jackie Earle Haley
    Jackie Earle Haley
    • Rorschach
    Patrick Wilson
    Patrick Wilson
    • Dan Dreiberg…
    Carla Gugino
    Carla Gugino
    • Sally Jupiter…
    Malin Akerman
    Malin Akerman
    • Laurie Jupiter…
    Billy Crudup
    Billy Crudup
    • Dr. Manhattan…
    Matthew Goode
    Matthew Goode
    • Adrian Veidt…
    Jeffrey Dean Morgan
    Jeffrey Dean Morgan
    • Edward Blake…
    Matt Frewer
    Matt Frewer
    • Moloch
    Stephen McHattie
    Stephen McHattie
    • Hollis Mason
    Laura Mennell
    Laura Mennell
    • Janey Slater
    Rob LaBelle
    Rob LaBelle
    • Wally Weaver
    Gary Houston
    Gary Houston
    • John McLaughlin
    James M. Connor
    James M. Connor
    • Pat Buchanan
    • (as James Micheal Connor)
    Mary Ann Burger
    • Eleanor Clift
    John Shaw
    John Shaw
    • Doug Roth
    Robert Wisden
    Robert Wisden
    • Richard Nixon
    Jerry Wasserman
    Jerry Wasserman
    • Detective Fine
    Don Thompson
    Don Thompson
    • Detective Gallagher
    • Director
      • Zack Snyder
    • Writers
      • Dave Gibbons(based on the graphic novel co-created by)
      • David Hayter(screenplay by)
      • Alex Tse(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jackie Earle Haley was the only one of the main actors who was already familiar with the comic book. He actively campaigned for the part of Rorschach.
    • Goofs
      (at around 1h 8 mins) Doctor Manhattan describes a "circulatory system" appearing on the grounds of a government base. However what is depicted is clearly the nervous system, as it features a brain and spinal cord, but no heart or lungs. (This error is repeated from the novel.)
    • Quotes

      Rorschach: I heard joke once: Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Life seems harsh, and cruel. Says he feels all alone in threatening world. Doctor says: "Treatment is simple. The great clown - Pagliacci - is in town. Go see him. That should pick you up." Man bursts into tears. "But doctor..." he says "I am Pagliacci." Good joke. Everybody laugh. Roll on snare drum. Curtains.

    • Crazy credits
      The opening credits themselves often cast shadows in the frame that correspond with the flashes from photographer's bulbs.
    • Alternate versions
      In Thailand the genitals of Dr Manhattan are masked and where Rorschach attack with an ax the victim's head is heavily blurred.
    • Connections
      Edited from Tales of the Black Freighter (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Unforgettable
      Written by Irving Gordon

      Performed by Nat 'King' Cole (as Nat King Cole)

      Courtesy of Capitol Records

      Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

    User reviews1.5K

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Well worth watching the watchmen
    The graphic novel source material is a masterpiece, bold, uncompromising, subtle, witty, imaginative with very unique characters and an immersive world. Albeit one that is near-unfilmable, with the themes, the huge amount of content and the amount of depth needed, a three hour film sounded nowhere near enough on paper. Plus Zack Snyder is nowhere near close to being a favourite of mine, but saw 'Watchmen' anyway because of my love for the source material, that it looked fantastic and because the cast are very talented.

    'Watchmen' really is well worth your time. More the director's cut though than the theatrical release, though both versions have the exact same brilliant qualities. Of which there are many in 'Watchmen'. It is a prime example of how to transcribe a graphic novel to film, while not being as good and not having everything there, and still be near-great on its own terms. It is by far Snyder's best film in my view, as well as being his most mature and ambitious, being the only one to be above good and be more than style over substance. His other films left me mixed to indifferent.

    Is 'Watchmen' perfect? No. It does feature one of the most uncomfortable-feeling and pointless love scenes on film, and Leonard Cohen (well certainly for the song in question, it is a great song that is not well used) has never been used more awkwardly in visual media in my view (partly because in my opinion it doesn't fit with the context of the scene).

    Matthew Goode is also a bit too stiff and subdued as Ozymandias. Actually do prefer Jeremy Irons' more eccentric and all out portrayal in the recent series, despite the character being a lot less puzzling here. So it is easy to see why 'Watchmen' is a divisive film, though more for its heavy, polarising themes, the huge length (that sounds overlong on paper), that figuring out what's going on admittedly is not easy for anybody who is not familiar with the graphic novel and it seems that the ending has left people divided (the ending in the source material sparks much debate as well).

    For all of the flaws mentioned, so much works in 'Watchmen's' favour. It looks amazing for one thing. Very stylish and imaginative with some incredible special effects, there is nowhere near as much gratuitous slow-motion here than seen in some of Snyder's other work. The opening sequence is absolutely amazing in as jaw-dropping a way as you can get, what a way to start a film. The music is nostalgic and atmospheric, with mostly inspired use of great songs. Only the Cohen song in the scene in question is questionable. Snyder's direction is some of his most ambitious and doesn't try to do too much to the same extent as his other films.

    Moreover, the script compels, flows naturally and raises interesting ideas that provokes thought, managing not to trivialise its difficult content. A good deal of talk but not too exposition-heavy, even when focused on Dr Manhattan in the middle act. There is not much subtlety here, Snyder and subtlety never belonged in the same sentence, but the ironic wit translates well to film from the graphic novel as does the maturity. The length is a long one, but the source material is massive so the film really needed to be long. If anything, in terms of adapting it would be better a mini-series. The story makes the most of getting one immersed in an authentically rendered world, and thematically it is bold and executed in an unforgivably uncompromising approach as ought. The violence shocks but didn't come over as gratuitous and the action thrills. Didn't have much of a problem with the ending, but can see why others would, the climax is thrillingly staged at least.

    A good job is done with the characters, though Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias is underused and a bit underdeveloped. Night Owl and in particular Rorschach being the standouts, though The Comedian is also a difficult role to pull off. Apart from reservations with Goode, the performances are strong. Jackie Earle Haley is perfect casting as Rorschach, and have no qualms with Billy Crudup, Patrick Wilson and Jeffrey Dean Morgan either. The most difficult roles, pulled off beautifully.

    Overall, very good and nearly great, with a lot done extremely well with a couple of misgivings. The polarisation is understandable but the appeal is even more so. The recent adaptation, despite getting a lot of over the top hate very prematurely into its run is also worth seeing. It is a slow starter and ends anti-climactically but there is so much brilliant about it, and if one sticks with it if put off by the first couple of episodes it to me and others got a lot better. 8/10
    helpful•26
    11
    • TheLittleSongbird
    • Apr 28, 2020

    FAQ23

    • Is "Watchmen" based on a book?
    • Does the film retain its 1985 setting?
    • Why are there two Nite Owls and two Silk Spectres?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 6, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Watchmen: The IMAX Experience
    • Filming locations
      • Riverview Hospital, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Warner Bros.
      • Paramount Pictures
      • Legendary Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $130,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $107,509,799
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $55,214,334
      • Mar 8, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $185,382,813
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 42 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.39 : 1

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