I wasn’t excited about “Watchmen”. I thought it would be a farce. I was wrong.

“Watchmen” is grandiose, no doubt. It’s quite a beautiful film (so to speak). Blood pours out of every cavity in the human body. There are naked women throughout the film. There is the nude blue man (i.e. Dr. Manhattan). Oh, and the movie is about as bleak and septic as “The Dark Knight” (which is perhaps the greatest film I’ve ever seen). If you are sickened easily, perhaps “Watchmen” isn’t for you.

Yet “Watchmen” is thought-provoking. Due to the film’s marketing, I thought that the Watchmen were shallow nihilists. The funny thing is that while I was watching the film, I empathized with the Watchmen. There are two scenes that stand out. One is the televised interview with Dr. Manhattan. The other is when Rorschach retells a story during his early crime-fighting days. I’m reminded of Camus’ “The Plague”.

I love the characters, especially Rorschach. Rorschach is the uncompromising moral-agent. He is also the most fascinating Watchman. His mask and his voice are so…awesome. Now, Dr. M, Silk Spectre II, Night Owl, and the Comedian are also fascinating characters as well. I was very pleased to hear that Patrick Wilson (Night Owl) was in “Watchmen”. He portrays his rather humble and reserved character quite well.

I love “Watchmen”. The plot is a bit befuddled at times, and it is not a movie for children. Repeat: it is not a movie for children! Oh, and it is not a movie for people who are naive either. I’m not. I’ve seen some of the ugliness the Watchmen themselves have seen. You have to. And you yourself may ask the fundamental question: why save us?