Watchmen

Reading the graphic novel isn’t necessary to enjoy the film, but it might help a lot. That’s because director Zack Snyder’s film is often extremely faithful to the novel, and the novel is far from your average comic-book story. Alan Moore, one of the novel’s creators, removed his name from the credits because of changes to his story, but I’d argue that the changes serve the premise well. In an alternate 1985 where Nixon is still president, a masked vigilante is killed, and Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley), another vigilante from a group known as The Watchmen, investigates. Haley is perfect here, as is (mostly the voice of) Billy Crudup as the blue, size-shifting Dr. Manhattan. Snyder has made a fine movie out of something originally perceived as unfilmable. It’s deep, textured, riveting and well-done. Of course, it’s turning out to be a box-office disappointment. Go figure.