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First off, I’m a fan of the graphic novel. I read it before I saw the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was layered far deeper than what was able to be contained in the movie. The classic “the book was better” line applies. However, I did like Zach Snyder’s adaptation. His personal fandom kept him true to the graphic novel and I appreciated it. The “non-squid/fake alien” ending was alright with me. It worked and made sense bringing the world together out of fear that Dr. Manhattan would strike again. 

I did not like the artistic license to make the movie more graphic in terms of sex and violence. The story contained enough already and the message was strong enough without that excessive display. 

Obviously, on moral grounds, there was so much wrong in the story. It displayed “heroes” who allow the end to justify the means. This is becomes true for all vigilantes who don’t submit to the civilizations code of laws (flawed though it may be), but is really driven home in the Watchmen story. That is the message, “Who watches the watchmen?” These watchmen and our own law enforcement and armed forces are all flawed, sinful human beings. And as more power is given to them, those flaws are even more evident. Therefore the nobel cause of Justice is perverted because sinful man can’t truly dispense it. Even other superheroes who have their own personal code of crimefighting fall into this trap because the nobility of the cause of Justice is overwhelming in the face of the great need. Violence and death usually results and becomes the Comedian’s joke as he embodies cruelty with the license to end cruelty. Ironic humor. Yet, when he faces it on the scale of Ozymandias’ design, he is overwhelmed.

Where’s the redemption in a story like this. The nihilism and the corruption of man is hopeless without a Savior. Someone must redeem man from his own destruction. It is not found in the classic philosophers (ala Ozymandias) for that would lead to the murder of 15 million people–an unacceptable price for peace. It can only be found in God himself. The Just One. Yet his plan to bring peace involved self-sacrifice. And it is that display of Love that draws us back to God and allows us to be transformed from the earthly man with his corrupt desires and sinful ways to the godly man who loves his enemies; enemies who still bear the image of God despite how hidden it has become. It is only in this environment where people are transformed that hate turns to love, vengence turns to mercy, revenge turns to forgiveness, and war turns to peace.