The Watchmen are back with Chapter 2!

Watchmen

Who watches the Watchmen? Perhaps we’ll get the answer with the next installment of the animated film series!

In mere months following the release of Chapter 1, Warner Brothers brings us the sequel and finale with The Watchmen Chapter 2. The former super team has seen one of their people murdered, one in self exile and one in prison. Two have donned their costumes once again to help where they could and continuing Rorschach’s investigation. Night Owl manages to find that each of these events seem to be tied together through corporations owned by Ozymandias himself. While this is happening the world is also on the brink of a new World War.

Alan Moore has penned some of the greatest stories in comics and many have seen adaptations in film. The Watchmen was first adapted in live action film but for some reason the studio saw fit to make this into a two film animated series. Having never seen the original film or read the comic, I am unable to compare the animated films to either but from what I’ve been told, the main story points are exactly the same. The voice acting is fantastic, which is not a surprise since it includes legends like Troy Baker, Katee Sackhoff and Matthew Rhys. The animation reminds me of the art style from the many games that Telltale Games published years ago and fits the story perfectly. Overall I thought the film was wonderfully written and once again proves how brilliant of a writer Alan Moore really is. In it’s entirety the film was fantastic and I know I must watch the live action film to see if it lives up to this version of the story because if it’s only half as good then its going to be a damn great film.

Watchmen Chapter 1, and animated film review

Watchmen

Watchmen Chapter 1 is an animated retelling of the film and comics from DC Comics, Warner Brothers and Alan Moore.

Watchmen Chapter 1 is the first of a two part animated series from Warner Brothers, based on the comic by Alan Moore from DC Comics. Originally released in 1986, the story focuses on an alternative history that includes costumed heroes helping through some of the greatest conflicts of the last 100 years. I went into this film without having seen the live action film or having read the entirety of the story either. The only things I was truly aware of was the death of The Comedian, Rorschach is an absolute beast in a fight and Dr. Manhattan is beyond overpowered. When I saw the title, Watchmen Chapter 1, I was expecting some sort of prequel, not an animated adaptation of the book and live action film. Clearly I was wrong.

Chapter 1 is a direct adaptation of the comic and film. I can’t speak to differences based on my lack of experience with either of the prior properties but I suspect that is part of the reasoning behind this adaptation. As with the main story, this film begins with the murder of The Comedian but ends with Rorschach’s arrest.

The animation quality far surpasses most, if not all, of the animated properties from DC and Warner Brothers. It looks very similar to the art style of the Batman games from Telltale Games. The voice acting is great which isn’t a surprise considering some of the names attached. Without knowing the details of the story it kept me on the edge of my seat, needing to know who the killer was and why. Overall it was a fantastic film.