Watchmen

Watchmen (2019) 

One of the most attractive comic book universes is inhabited by only occasionally interesting new characters three decades after its most fundamental story. It is narrated at a more deliberate pace, and the central themes, previously so irresistibly spread across society, merge into the much-criticized but paradoxically genre-transparent racism. I tried for so long to tune into atmosphere of the new guardians, almost until the end. Every time, I was disappointed by an unnecessary, incomprehensible insert that just raised my eyebrow instead of making me interested in what the point would be. I was also bothered by the black and white flashbacks, which could have offered countless editing or directing ideas, but essentially does not answer anything I would like to know and just boldly undermines ancient theories that have always been just theories and never truths. But even despite the audacity, it never quite reaches the level of the original or its polished film adaptation. Or rather, it comes close, in just one episode, specifically the conversation at the bar. It is during that conversation that I first and last felt that chilling sensation in my spine and the anticipation of the possible and impossible, even though I often had to put on a bitter face at the direction in which this old familiar beloved and hated character is heading. On the other hand, Jean Smart is breathtaking and brings layers to you-know-who that I didn't know were hiding in her. But what can you do, after the uninspiring and tediously long finale, it's clear that the main thing I'm left with from this event is disappointment. When a continuation is strongest is in the moments when it recalls or brings back the original characters, while the new ones most of the time distract me from what really interests me, then something is wrong. (2019.12.19)