Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut [Blu-ray]

Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut [Blu-ray]
by Zack Snyder

Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut [Blu-ray]

Our Price: $193.95
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $120.00 (click here)
Category: Blu-ray
See more Blu-ray details

Buy this Blu-ray movie at online store in your country
Canada

Blu-ray details

Director: Zack Snyder
Brand: Warner Brothers
Blu-ray: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Color, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 215 minutes
Blu-ray Release Date: 2009-11-10
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Warner Home Video

Blu-ray Reviews of Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut [Blu-ray]

Blu-ray Review: Fans of the comic, no need to worry about a disappointment!
Summary: 5 Stars

The thing about Watchmen is that it's a book about costumed heroes (the only "superhero" of the lot is Dr. Manhattan) and some may rule it off as "just another comic book." But it should be given some merit for the single fact that Time magazine named it one of the 100 best novels (not graphic or comics, just novels) of all time. Most were worried that such an intense story was unfilmable. A lot of directors and studio execs had tried to bring it to the screen but their efforts fell short before production even began. Then came director Zach Snyder (fresh off just adapting Frank Miller's graphic novel 300: The Complete Experience (Blu-ray Book + Digital Copy and BD-Live) [Blu-ray]), and all fell into place. Now, the movie is out and I can't rave enough about it!

A quick synopsis of the story, by legendary writer Alan Moore and artist
Dave Gibbons, is that, in an alternate 1985 where Richard M. Nixon is
still President of the U.S. and when masked heroes have been outlawed,
a long-time costumed hero/government agent, Edward Blake, is murdered
and another costumed hero/vigilante, Rorschach, suspects that there is
a serial killer picking off costumed heroes. Through the overall plot,
each main character's backstory is explored (think TV's Lost: The Complete Seasons 1-5 [Blu-ray], which co-creators Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse admit to Watchmen being a major influence) as five major ex-costumed heroes try to bring the killer to justice. The story isn't just full of action, violence, nudity and cussing -- although, it's got that. But it's also about the deep psychology and philosophy rooted in superhero mythology; i.e., separation from one's own humanity and dealing with all the drama and mess that comes with life; living an impotent life when not doing what you feel destined to do; being an uncompromising force in a world that needs compromise; giving in to a lie that you believe will help billions of others; and not facing up to a past of lies that you swore your life by. Each character confronts their own inner demons (most of which made them get into the costumed hero business in the first place), while trying to solve the overall mystery of the killer's motive.

I'm a fan of the graphic novel (albeit not one of those diehard fans) and thoroughly enjoyed the film adaptation. I wouldn't compare it to The Dark Knight (+ Digital Copy and BD Live) [Blu-ray] per se because the two movies are different in the sense that "Knight" portrays a character that has many stories to choose from, while "Watchmen" is a compacted story with a beginning and an ending. Whereas Batman is allowed to have a sequel because there are several stories to tell, "Watchmen" has one single story and it's told in all its brilliance. And the movie perfectly captures it all. BTW, just the thought of a sequel to "Watchmen" makes me shudder in disgust.

I had heard that some content would be cut from the film, but what was cut was small and didn't make a major difference to the quality of the film. And the ending that Snyder and co. did change made the film better IMHO. One of my favorite aspects ofthe film is that it shows in many ways how screwed up in the head that masked heroes would have to be to do what they do. One of the best scenes is a small scene where Dan/Nite Owl II and Laurie/Silk Spectre II are talking at dinner about an old foe of theirs who dressed up and did crime just so he could be beaten for sexual gratification. When asking what happened to the foe, Dan tells Laurie that he tried it with tough guy Rorschach and the vigilante dropped him down an elevator shaft. After hearing the news, Laurie abrupts in hysterical laughter to which Dan shortly follows suit (in the book, they laugh a lot harder); and I think that the fact that they find it funny proves how twisted they are. A well-played and well-written scene among many.

I won't lie that there is extreme violence in the film and it's not for
the faint of heart, but the overall story is magnificent, nonetheless.
The use of music was brilliant and the fact that Snyder used classic
songs (Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are-A Changing," Nat King Cole's
"Unforgettable," Simon and Garfunkel's "Sounds of Silence," Leonard
Cohen's "Hallelujah," just to name a few) was compellingly appropriate
seeing how they accompany a comic adaptation that many consider the
classic of all comic stories. Not since the use of Jimi Hendrix's "Hey
Joe" in "Forrest Gump" have songs been so perfectly matched to a scene!

I commend Snyder and company for their adaptation to a graphic novel that
everyone said was unfilmable. I thought the movie was superb! I just
can't say enough good things about it. I could go on more about this
film but then I'd have to get into talking about specific scenes that
might spoil the movie and its plot, so I'll digress. If you're a fan of
ANY superhero/costumed hero comic book movie or comic books in general,
just see the movie. Of course, it's always better to read the book. And
most diehard fans are going to notice the differences but I know that
what works in a book (as well as its length) might not always work in a
movie. If Snyder didn't put enough in, people would complain about
that. But if he puts too much in, people (critics) complain about that.
I thought he put in the perfect amount, which was nearly everything.
This will definitely be one of the best, most epic comic book movies
ever ... if not the greatest. See. This. Movie!

Write your own review

More Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut [Blu-ray] reviews:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Description of Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut [Blu-ray]

Multi-disc set. Real-world super heroes must emerge from retirement to solve a murder of one of their own, in the shadow of nuclear armageddon. Directed by Zack Snyder (300). Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut is the version never seen in theaters, integrating the animated Tales from the Black Freighter into the Director?s Cut of the film for a more in-depth experience, with 2 all-new commentaries by Zack Snyder and graphic novel Co-creator and Illustrator Dave Gibbons. Also includes over 3 hours of special features including Under the Hood, the entire Watchmen Motion Comics, and a Digital Copy of the Theatrical Version

Everybody's favorite graphic novel comes to the screen (after years of rumors and false starts), less a roaring work of adaptation than a respectful and faithful take on a radical original. Watchmen is set in the mid-1980s, a time of increased nuclear tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, as Richard Nixon is enjoying his fifth term as president and the world's superheroes have been forcibly retired. (As you can probably tell, the mix of authentic history and alternate reality is heady.) Things begin with a bang: the mysterious high-rise murder of the Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a masked hero with a checkered past, puts the rest of the retired superhero community on alert. The credits sequence, a series of tableaux that wittily catches us up on crime-fighting backstory, actually turns out to be the high point of the movie. Thereafter we meet the other caped and hooded avengers: the furious Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley), the inexplicably naked Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup, amidst much blue-skinned, genital-swinging digital work), Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman), Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson), and Ozymandias (Matthew Goode). The corkscrewing storytelling, which worked well in the comic book, gives the movie the strange sense of never quite getting in gear, even as some of the episodes are arresting. Director Zack Snyder (300) doesn't try to approximate the electric impact of the original (written by Alan Moore--who declined to be credited on the movie--and illustrated by Dave Gibbons) but retains careful fidelity to his source material. That doesn't feel right, even with the generally enjoyable roll-out of anecdotes. Even less forgivable is the blah acting, excepting Jeffrey Dean Morgan (lusty) and Patrick Wilson (mellow). Watchmen certainly fills the eyes, although less so the ears: the song choices are regrettable, especially during an embarrassing mid-air coupling between Nite Owl II and Silk Spectre II as they unite their--ah--Roman numerals. In the end it feels as though a huge work of transcription has been successfully completed, which isn't the same as making a full-blooded movie experience. --Robert Horton

Bestsellers in DVD

The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image

The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]
Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video

Wresting With God [VHS] Image

Wresting With God [VHS]
by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops: ~~$19.99~~

Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS] Image

Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]
Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops: ~~$44.00~~

Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS] Image

Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]
HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops: ~~$9.98~~

Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/Party Video [VHS] Image

Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]
HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video

Strike the Original Match [VHS]
New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops: ~~$14.95~~

Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image

Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]
JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99

Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008 Image

Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008
by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops: ~~$1,463.24~~

Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single User Image

Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single User
by Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops: ~~$1,463.24~~

Cost Accounting [VHS] Image

Cost Accounting [VHS]
by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video

Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs

Sucker Punch (Two-Disc Extended Edition) [Blu-ray]
WHV; Release date: 2011-06-28; Blu-ray
Best price: $8.97
Price in other shops: ~~$35.99~~

Dark City (Director's Cut) [Blu-ray]
NEW Line Home Video; Release date: 2008-07-29; Blu-ray
Best price: $8.54
Price in other shops: ~~$19.98~~

Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic (+ BD-Live) [Blu-ray]
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2009-03-03; Blu-ray
Best price: $6.48
Price in other shops: ~~$14.98~~

Kick-Ass (Three-Disc Blu-ray/ DVD Combo + Digital Copy)
LGF; Release date: 2010-08-03; Blu-ray
Best price: $10.96
Price in other shops: ~~$24.99~~

The Dark Knight (+ BD Live) [Blu-ray]
DC Comics; Release date: 2008-12-09; Blu-ray
Best price: $9.01
Price in other shops: ~~$19.98~~

Batman Begins [Blu-ray]
DC Comics; Release date: 2008-07-08; Blu-ray
Best price: $7.91
Price in other shops: ~~$14.98~~

Sin City (Two-Disc Theatrical & Recut, Extended, and Unrated Versions) [Blu-ray]
Lions Gate; Release date: 2011-04-26; Blu-ray
Best price: $7.99
Price in other shops: ~~$19.99~~

Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter & Under the Hood [Blu-ray]
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2009-03-24; Blu-ray
Best price: $3.75
Price in other shops: ~~$14.98~~

V for Vendetta [Blu-ray]
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2008-05-20; Blu-ray
Best price: $6.55
Price in other shops: ~~$14.98~~

300 [Blu-ray]
Warner Brothers; Release date: 2007-07-31; Blu-ray
Best price: $7.36
Price in other shops: ~~$14.98~~