Watching the Watchmen

I liked it. Far from perfect, but I liked it. I had two major complaints:

1) Dialogue intended to be read in speech-bubbles can be positively ripe when spoken aloud. This is one area in which the film's fidelity to the comic was a mistake. The thing needed a serious dialogue polish.

2) Except for Jackie Earl Haley and the "Grey's Anatomy" guy as the Comedian, the cast was awful. Even the good actors among them were mediocre, especially Mathew Goode as Ozymandias -- his line readings and diction were appalling. Seriously, Sophia Coppola was better in "Godfather III."

But that aside, the movie is brisk, ambitious, and has a lot of stuff you've never seen in a superhero film before. That's the beauty of going into a film with low expectations: sometimes you're pleasantly surprised.

By the way, I saw the film at the new theater in the Thousand Oaks mall, the Muvico 14, which has to be the worst name for a multiplex since the Regency Loud Obnoxious Teenagers 7. Bad name aside, for 21 bucks you can get huge "loveseats" in the balcony with free popcorn, almost-free drinks -- oh, and you can bring booze from the bar outside as well. Those questionable perks aside, it was by far the comfiest time I've ever had at the movies.