6 Reasons Watchmen, Not Man of Steel, is Zack Snyder’s Greatest Movie

More than a decade later, 'Watchmen; transforms from a midnight movie regret to a celebrated, audacious cinematic feat.

6 reasons watchmen, not man of steel, is zack snyder’s greatest movie

SUMMARY

  • Despite some narrative changes, Watchmen is praised for its authenticity and favorably compared to later adaptations like the HBO series.
  • The film's complex story and mature themes set a new standard for depth in the superhero genre.
  • Watchmen is noted for its complex, non-linear structure showcasing Snyder's very daring narrative approach.
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The release of Watchmen in 2009 marked a turning point in the superhero genre. Directed by Zack Snyder, who is known for his visually striking and provocative films, it brought about a revolution in the way superhero movies were perceived.

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Watchmen’s unique qualities set it apart from other superhero movies – it was a dark, gritty, and morally ambiguous epic that raised questions about the very concept of heroism. Over time, as the initial controversies surrounding the movie died down, we believe Watchmen is perhaps Snyder’s greatest masterpiece.

#1 Watchmen Pays Homage To Its Graphic Novel

Watchmen
Watchmen

Watchmen is a homage to the legendary graphic novel authored by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. It’s not often that a director adapts a source material with such high regard and accuracy.

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The film could certainly be considered as one of Snyder’s best works in his career, and it is not difficult to see why. Every frame is crafted with the accuracy of a watchmaker, fitting for a film with such a title.

While the film omits certain elements from the graphic novel, such as the “squid fall,” it is still considered a faithful adaptation that’s highly regarded even compared to the HBO series that expanded on the original material’s legacy.

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#2 Watchmen’s Narrative Complexity Is A Ticking Time Bomb

Zack Snyder's Watchmen
Zack Snyder’s Watchmen

The plot of Watchmen is an intricate movie. Director Zack Snyder didn’t create a typical superhero movie; he skillfully constructed a multi-dimensional political thriller set in a parallel universe where heroes are fallible, just like the society they protect.

Many critics regard this as Snyder’s finest superhero movie, largely due to its in-depth examination of themes such as power, corruption, and the blurred lines between good and evil. The cast, especially Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach, delivered strong performances.

Snyder’s mature content fits perfectly within the film’s tone, unrestricted by the PG-13 boundaries of his other DC films. For every fan who deems it a masterpiece, there’s another who sees it as a missed opportunity.

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#3 Zack Snyder Displays His Most Distinguished Style In Watchmen

Watchmen
Watchmen

There is no mistaking Zack Snyder’s touch – his name screams from every frame, from the operatic violence to the dense narrative. While some may criticize his methods, there’s no denying his impact on the film industry.

The director’s unique style has set a precedent in the visual storytelling of superhero movies. The movie’s opening sequence confidently introduces the complex story of a world that has rejected its superheroes, with Bob Dylan’s song setting the tone.

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Snyder skillfully weaves together various storylines, including Rorschach’s investigation, a murder conspiracy, and Doctor Manhattan’s god-like existence, into a coherent and complete film.

#4 Watchmen Challenged The Superhero Genre

Watchmen
Watchmen

Watchmen was once considered unfilmable due to its intricate plot, deep philosophical musings, and bizarre world-building, which were believed to be too outlandish for mainstream audiences.

However, Snyder not only adapted the comic but fully embraced its eccentricities, successfully bringing to life the psychedelic and surreal elements of the story. Watchmen was a groundbreaking film that challenged the superhero genre.

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It explored mature themes and brought complexity to the genre, inspiring later films such as The Dark Knight and Logan. The movie dared to question the morality of heroism, the ethics of power, and the true nature of justice in a way that few other superhero films had before.

#5 Walter Kovacs Was A Great Character In The Movie

Watchmen
Watchmen

Rorschach, a.k.a. Walter Kovacs, is a walking contradiction in the movie. He’s the kind of guy you’re unsure whether to admire or steer clear of. With a moral compass that doesn’t just point north, but is superglued there, Kovacs is the man digging through the dirt of the story, piecing together the big bad conspiracy.

Now, Zack Snyder’s take on the movie? Spot-on. He captures all the quirks and kinks of Kovacs without missing a beat. And let’s talk about Jackie Earle Haley. The man slips into Rorschach’s skin so well fans would think he was born wearing that inkblot mask.

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It’s like the cherry on top of an already twisted sundae, bringing our favorite masked vigilante off the comic book pages and onto the big screen in a way that’s nothing short of legendary.

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#6 Watchmen Had An Interesting Structure

Zack Snyder's Watchmen
Watchmen

Zack Snyder and his scripting squad, David Hayter and Alex Tse, took a gamble with Watchmen that paid off big time. They kept intact the comic’s wild, time-hopping, character-juggling, planet-hopping structure.

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This movie’s all over the place—in a good way—taking us on a ride through backstories, side plots, and different dimensions. You’d think it would all fall apart, but nope, it’s like watching a pro juggler at work.

Everything comes together in the final stretch, just like in the comics. Sure, the movie’s ambition is like a high-wire act, but the solid gold of the original story keeps it from tumbling down.

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Mabel Andrady

Written by Mabel Andrady

Articles Published: 694

Mabel, aka MJ, is a FandomWire Sr. Writer, pop-culture fanatic, and an MA in Health Demography holder. When she's not indulging in her guilty pleasure of penning everything Hollywood, Marvel & DC, she writes academic essays on COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS. With 2500+ articles published online, she brings a unique twist to entertainment writing. A jack-of-all-trades, MJ enjoys movies, writes/acts in plays, writes music, and dreams of being a successful actress. She offers a fresh perspective, making her writing a must-read for those seeking knowledge and entertainment.