Thank you Graffic Novelist...

I have watched the movie Watchmen at least four times. I have read the novel about three, come on its easier to watch than read. But I do like to stimulate my mind, that is the bonus of reading. I digress, The Watchmen: The Movie, is stellar. Is it the special effects? No. Is it the violence and sinew that is evident in periodical fist contacting extremities and faces? No. It isn't even the power of the obvious longing of the unlikely super heroism of the latest Nite Owl. The power and effect of the movie comes by way of the cinematography and story.

Thank you, Director Zack Snyder, in this non critic opinion, it has been years since an honest graphic novel to movie adaption has worked so well. Have I watched 300? Yes, but even the wonderful graphic representation of Sparta's Last Stand didn't compare to the powerful recreation of the power of print. In the novel form, sounds and subtle nuances of expression are interpreted by the readers personal compass; therefore imprinting their own prejudice or inconsistencies upon the artist's characters. Here we find characters with an individual essence unable to be 'messed with' by the audience's preconceived notions.

Thank you, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. With the start of a true blue print for what heroes really are, so many others designed their own 'Watchmen'. There is not much to say about that which is a measure by which all novels of the graphic nature are judged against. It was the story that made the Watchmen popular before the world knew it was.

One aspect of the story and the movie is often overlooked from what I've read; the humanity of one character, Dr. Manhattan. The whole store is centered and orbits not the man but what he represents for all humanity. Sure, the graphics and CGI are awesome; but what is more fundamentally reality shaking is the thought that a human infused with the essence of all of matter contained with the space time continuum would 'choose' to remain human. It gives reason for why we long not to be alone in the universe, existence for that matter; we long to be 'special'. Each and everyone of use relates to some hero or heroine.

Whether it's Peter Parker's loneliness and self denial, Silk Spectre 's (the first) desire for excitement, or Superman's hope for peace. All humanity longs for more to life than just what we have now. The fact that once given the power to do anything is given to a human and he chooses to take the form of a human, live among humans, or even relate with those of a lesser existence is mind boggling.

Given his same 'predicament' would any of us remain sane enough to be grounded to this blue cosmic marble? To believe, that physical attraction or love could hold the attention of a being that walks the space-time multiverse seems beyond my mortal mind. But then, we are given the fact that even gods long for something more. Whether it is to be worshipped by those they create or have dominion over, whether they choose to be scarified to save a species. All gods in our real mythos desires something; Dr. Manhattan desired nothing more than to experience something unexplainable. This, even when his existence after the 'accident' is such a powerful statement of unexplainable occurrences, a statement of Randomist theory. Love is powerful, true, but given his power I would have a moment of pause before saving my new proselytes.

But maybe, because I've experienced love and this movie, I would be noble enough to sacrifice myself for the existance of humanity. One can only hope for such a chance.