Watchmen (2009) Review

Watchmen is directed by Zack Snyder, and is an adaptation of the Watchmen comics (often considered one of the greatest comics off all time.) In an alternate 1985, where America won Vietnam, Nixon is still president superheroes have been outlawed, and members of the masked community begin showing up dead. Whilst lone vigilante Rorschach tracks down old teammates, in an attempt to find the killer before more masks are killed, the threat of nuclear war looms closer and closer, and both must be stopped. 

The first time I watched Watchmen, I hadn't read the comic- and honestly, I got confused. The film's main storyline takes place in 1985, but through many extended flashbacks we gradually learn the backstories and the past experiences of the heroes. Its very much like the structure of the comic, but far more convoluted when it's crammed into 3 hours and 45 minutes. It's disjointed, it's all over the place, it's not easy viewing.

The second time I watched Watchmen, I had read the comic- and I understood the storyline (success!), but sadly I could also see a multitude of problems that I hadn't  seen before. This film is just missing something- it trades in the heart and the wit of the comic for 2 dimensional characters and hyper-stylised, unnecessary Snyder action scenes, that were nowhere to be seen in the comic. The characters are weak impersonations of their comic book counterparts, lacking any depth and complexity, with many of the actors giving halfhearted performances. This lack of character building creates a whole host of problems for the film's story. 1) It takes away all the stakes, because you really don't care who lives and dies, 2) it takes away all the enjoyment of seeing the personality clashes and dynamics amongst the characters (mainly because they have no personalities), and 3) it makes the whole story seem anti climactic, as the surprise reveal of the villain really doesn't provide any shock. Also, there's no satisfaction in the film's happy ending: two of the characters living happily ever after (no spoilers), when you really don't care about the characters in question.

 In typical Snyder style, the cinematography is muted with splashes of colour here and there. While I'm not usually a fan of Snyder's cinematography, the comic book style does work quite well here, despite not quite matching the vibrant aesthetic of the comic.

There is one bright light in this bleak, and Snyder-ish world; and that is Jackie Earle Haley's performance as Rorschach. Hayley's Rorschach is spot on. Everything about his performance is amazing- he perfectly embodies the funny, yet terrifying character from the comics, and he's the only actor in the film who really captures the spirit of the comics and doesn't feel like he's just going through the motions, as he roams the streets like a deranged Batman, narrating in fractured grammar and a gravelly voice. Oh and Jeffrey Dean Morgan's great as the comedian- but Jeffrey Dean Morgan is always great.

In an ideal world, the perfect Watchmen adaptation would be a TV series. It's the only way to fit in the slow build of the comic storyline with all the characters fully developed and any kind of depth and emotion. Or if not a tv series, perhaps a shorter film that captures the essence of Watchmen without following it page for page. Sadly the film we currently have is a disjointed halfway between the two, trying to cover as much plot as possible and ghosting over events and characters as a result, leaving them as empty, emotionless shells of their comic book counterparts. It's not enough to recreate a comic book frame for frame and line for line, if it loses all its heart.

5.5/10

 

The Edge Of Seventeen (2016) Review

The Edge Of Seventeen is directed by Kelly Fremon Craig and stars Hailee Steinfeld as Nadine, a socially awkward teenager living in the shadow of her perfect older brother. Her father died, her mother is meeting terrible men on Match.com and when her friend begins going out with her brother, she's left on her own; with only a pessimistic history teacher (Woody Harrelson) and an awkward admirer (Hayden Szeto) to keep her company as she struggles to deal with the troubles of life.

Steinfeld plays her part exceptionally, combined with excellent writing for her character. She's rude, awkward, says things that she instantly regrets and talks like a real teenager. She says things that are inappropriate and the script is unapologetic for it. It isn't watered down to show a censored representation of high school students. These teenagers are realistic, and the situations they find themselves in and the emotions they feel are so relatable. A lot of the time, teenagers in films don't feel like real people, they feel like an idealised version of themselves, but The Edge Of Seventeen doesn't try to hide what high school is really like- after all it is rated 15 (R) so chances are, if you're watching it then you're either going through it all or you've already been through it before. By all accounts, Nadine's abrasive and stubborn personality should make her an unlikable character, but the emotion that Steinfeld plays and the pure tangibility of the humiliating situations she finds herself in, make her a sympathetic and lovable person- a tribute to great screenwriting from director Kelly Fremon Craig. 

Woody Harrelson plays Nadine's teacher and most of his scenes involve her ranting about her insecurities to him while he responds with deadpan sarcasm. Their relationship is funny, incredibly well written and played perfectly by the two actors, creating some of the best scenes in the film. Another highlight of the film is Hayden Szeto as a second choice friend and very obvious admirer. His awkward adorableness is very entertaining to watch, and I'm sure that this role will be the start of a great career for him. 

When it's funny, it's funny, when it's awkward, it's unbearable (in all the best ways) and when it's emotional it really hits hard. The Edge Of Seventeen is heartfelt, relatable and probably the best teen film I've seen in a long time. 

7.5/10

Slap Shot (1977) Review- The Undisputed Greatest Hockey Movie Of All Time

Slap Shot is directed by George Roy Hill and follows Reggie Dunlop (played by Paul Newman), the coach of a minor league hockey team- The Charlestown Chiefs. With a never ending losing streak, and the imminent closure of the local factory, Dunlop knows that he needs to do something to save the team. Thrilled by the violent playing style of the new players- the childlike, glasses wearing Hanson brothers- and their talent for drawing crowds, Dunlop encourages his team to fight, much to the displeasure of teammate Ned Braden (Michael Ontkean). Meanwhile, Dunlop befriends Bradens alcoholic wife, Lily (Lindsay Crouse), and tries to maintain a relationship with his own ex wife.

Written by Nancy Dowd, the film is based on the experiences of her brother Ned Dowd, who played for the Johnstown Jets at the time: with many members of the team making appearances in major and minor roles- most notably the Carlson brothers playing their remarkably true-to-life film counterparts, the Hansons. 

Amongst the bloody play, and crude language, the heart of this film lies in its sarcastically genius script. From the sly, raunchy humour of Paul Newman to the clueless humour of the Hansons, the comedy still retains its wit years later, and the characters are all iconic, for their hilarious quotes. While the highlight of the film is the Hansons- who steal every scene they're in- the subplot involving Lily, the struggling hockey wife of Braden, is also highly entertaining. While her humour is more subtle and quiet, she is still funny none the less, and never feels like she is slowing down the main hockey action. 

The minimalist soundtrack is simple, but memorable with a few good uses of Fleetwood Mac, Elton John and Leo Sayer. The repeated use of 'Right Back Where Wre Started From' by Maxine Nightingale as an upbeat anthem to the teams travels will have you humming it on repeat, and forever associating it with the film. 

While not succeeding at first- mainly due to the NHL's objection to its focus on hockey violence- Slap Shot eventually gained momentum and became one of the most iconic sports movies of all time. 40 years later, the Carlsons still draw crowds at games, reciting lines and 'putting on the foil', and the film is regularly mentioned by commentators. A staple on NHL buses and in locker rooms, most hockey players and fans alike can quote their favourite lines (if not most of the script), word for word. The true testament to Slap Shots' brilliance is its endurance and the legacy it has left on the world of hockey and comedy filmmaking.

9/10

                                   

Iconic Quotes:

Reggie Dunlop:  "What are you guys doing?"

Steve Hanson: "Puttin' on the foil!"

Reggie Dunlop: "They brought their fuckin' TOYS with 'em!"

McGrath: "Well, I'd rather have em playin with their toys than playin with themselves." 

Reggie Dunlop: "They're too dumb to play with themselves."

Jeff Hanson: " You look like my mother, you're beautiful"

Broadcaster: "The fans are standing up to them! The security guards are standing up to them! The peanut vendors are standing up to them! And by god, if I could get down there, I'd be standing up to them!"

Jim Carr: "Oh this young man has had a very trying rookie season, with the litigation, the notoriety, his subsequent deportation to Canada and that country's refusal to accept him, well, I guess that's more than most 21-year-olds can handle."

Hansons: "Dave's a killer!"

Johnny Upton: "Dave's a mess"