The Watchmen comic was authored by the famous graphic novelist, Alan Moore. His story of cold war, superheroes and flawed human nature is still loved by thousands around the world. In 2009, director Zack Snyder turned the graphic novel into a successful film featuring the anti-hero, Rorshach. Later in 2009, Snyder released The Watchmen Director's Cut, adding never-before seen footage and extending many classic moments from the original watchmen comic.
Major Changes in The Watchmen Director's Cut
There are quite a number of small changes to Zack Snyder's film, most of which do a great job in enhancing character depth and the impact of scenes. However, the biggest changes come in the form of two brand new scenes. They are the detention of Lori Jupiter by Government personnel and the death of Hollis Mason, the original Nite Owl.
The Watchmen Director's Cut really ascends to a higher level with these additions. Lori's character suddenly has a depth to it that simply didn't exist before. We bear witness to her frustration, something designed admirably by Alan Moore, but sadly missing from The Watchmen's theatrical release. This enables the viewer to really engage with the character.
Likewise, Hollis Mason's death improves the overall experience. We are shown the gang beating him up mixed in with glimpses of the "golden days" and the Nite Owl's ability to fight. He holds his own for a few moments and the viewer is rooting for him all the way through. This scene helps to underscore the mindset of the public and the danger that everyone is in, while at the same time, helping to enhance the world of The Watchmen through historical reference and additional character depth.
Violence in The Director's Cut
A great deal of the cut material in The Watchmen comes from the violence that was obviously intended to be there from the start. Alan Moore's source material is incredibly violent and hardly something that would be considered a "comic." Zack Snyder's director's cut shows far more of the violence and chaos that Moore developed in the graphic novel.
The Comedian's actions in Viet Nam are the most memorable, along with the actions of Rorschach and Nite Owl. In the Viet Nam scenes, the camera had previously stayed locked to the Comedian's face as he fought. in The Watchmen Director's Cut, we see the victims of his brutality, lost limbs and all. This really helps to enforce the Comedian as a complicated Villain.
Both Rorschach and Nite Owl get similar treatment. During Rorschach's "transformation" scene, we get to witness the aggression impacted upon the criminal, which was absent previously. Now that Hollis Mason's death is included, Nite Owl takes out his aggression on an innocent gang member, showing the lengths to which he is willing to go.
For all three characters, the higher level of violence shows more about their characters and the impact of the Director's Cut's events. Overall, most of the additions serve the same purpose. Although the film is quite a bit longer, it flows more smoothly and each character receives the time they deserve. The Watchmen Director's Cut is a film that should be a part of any Watchmen fan's entertainment library.
Sources
The Watchmen Director's Cut. Directed by Zack Snyder, 2009.
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