On Friday afternoon I got extremely lucky at Wondercon, and snagged a pass to go see a preview screening that night of Watchmen. Excited shaking ensued. Later that night at midnight I found myself in the IMAX theater at the Metreon, second row center seat, watching a movie I've waited several years for pan out in front of me.

Bliss.

Upon exiting the theater at around 3 in the morning (and not getting home until after 4, since I accidentally took the scenic route), I was still in a state of shock and awe. For let me tell you, it was one hell of a movie.

This is also going to be my Movie Recommendation of the Week, so here we go:

Watchmen

Now, I'm assuming you've all read the graphic novel (what's that? You haven't? *slaps* Go read it!), but I'll still try and keep things are spoiler-free as possible. First, a super brief (and I mean brief) plot rundown: Taking place in an alternate 1985 where masked vigilantes are (or rather, were) active, a 'real' superman named Dr. Manhattan has changed history, and Nixon is president 5 times over, something is up. The Comedian, a former hero, is thrown from his apartment to the street below in what appears to be a random act of violence. Fellow 'mask' Rorschach investigates, and believes there's a conspiracy abound of someone picking off costumed heroes. This all leads up to an Earth-shattering even that- well, you'll need to see the movie (or read the book! It gets all that praise for a reason!).

Put simply, the movie is awesome. Visually it's a feast for the eyes, with every set piece and prop carefully and meticulously laid out to really create a living world. The effects look great, from the Owlship flying out of the bay to Dr. Manhattan in general (and yes, he's nude. Enjoy that blue wang). The entire film also has a generally dark feel to it (in tone, naturally, and also in colors), which matches up with the mood of the story perfectly.

Then there's the acting, and I have to say, it's one of the better ensemble casts in a while. Everyone nails their part, especially Billy Crudup as the ever-disconnected Dr. Manhattan and Jackie Earle Haley as the chilling and sociopathic Rorschach. I do wish there was more of Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Comedian, since he steals practically every scene he's in and is just dynamite to watch.

The story sticks pretty close to the graphic novel (read it yet?), on occasion shot-for-panel and line-for-line. Some things have been shuffled around (an opening montage which sets up the world also includes several bits from late in the book), and most of the minor characters have either been cut or delegated to an appearance or two. Admittedly, this was to be expected, as there's simply too much information and detail in the book to condense down to a movie, however long (though when the Director's Cut comes out and puts another 40 minutes of stuff back in, I'm sure that will make things a bit more solid). And yes, the ending has been changed, but not to worry, it still works, and still packs a punch.

Speaking of packing a punch, the movie is a rather violent one. While every fight happened in the book (in one way or another), here they are fairly drawn out, and very brutal. Every punch and slam has impact, every gunshot and bone break is bloody and painful. Limbs are dismembered, skeletons sizzle in puddles of blood... yeah, it's a tad gory movie. And in a way, it has to be; the violent impact of the original book, while shocking in the 80s, is rather tame by today's standards. They need to get through to today's jaded audiences and have some lasting memory. And believe me, they do.

I could go on and on, but you get the idea. I admit that, from what I've been gather from other who've seen it, this seems to be a movie that is either loved or hated. And I loved it. It's an excellent movie, one of the best comic book movies I've ever seen and one that I will definitely be seeing again and again. And I full recommend it to all of you, as it is a deep and engrossing (and, in all fairness, pretty realistic) tale of superheros trying to save the world. So go see it when it opens this Friday (or maybe in two weeks, depending on where you are); I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m16nZq4Pr8c