Watchmen Chapter 2 (read our review of Watchmen Chapter 1 here) is a faithful adaptation of the final six issues in the twelve-issue Watchmen (1986 – 1987) comics series written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. Brandon Vietti directs this new adaptation written by J. Michael Straczynski.
Buy Watchmen Chapter 2 Blu-rayThere is no summary of Chapter 1 included with the disc or as part of the introductory material to the film. Instead, we learn that war is still imminent as a nuclear showdown between the United States and Russia. The Doomsday Clock is a mere minute from total annihilation. However, it is still an alternate 1985, and Rorshach (Titus Welliver), now unmasked as Walter Kovacs, has been wrongly arrested for the murder of yet another former superhero, Moloch. In prison, we learn that Kovacs is a very strong fighter. “I’m not locked up in here with you,” he tells the other prisoners, “You’re locked up in here with me.”
Nite Owl (Matthew Rhys) and Silk Spectre II (Katee Sackhoff) are not only becoming romantically interested in each other, they have also started to believe Rorshach’s stories about a sinister plan to murder superheroes. In order to investigate this plot, they rescue Rorschach from the prison during a deadly riot.
Dr. Manhattan (Michael Cerveris) has removed himself from planet Earth to settle on Mars where he believes he will keep people safe as he is under the impression he is the catalyst for the appearance of cancer in several of his long-term acquaintances. Veidt / Ozymandias (Troy Baker) is left mostly in the background as the enigmatic figure everybody would like to get a word with. His business dealings become suspect as Rorshach, Nite Owl, and Silk Spectre II begin to question Veidt’s motivations surrounding the recent murders of Comedian and Moloch.
Unfortunately, the film does devolve into talking heads explaining their motives a la Bond villains. This does not, thankfully, last for long. Even more interesting, the villain does not give away any of the plot until it is decidedly too late to salvage the situation. This is one of the great strengths of the Watchmen story: the fact that horrible actions will take place, important characters will meet a less-than-friendly ending, and the citizens of New York City will pay a cataclysmic price for a chance at world peace.
Watchmen Chapter 2 is an excellent conclusion to Watchmen Chapter 1. Together, they are in contention for the best adaptation of the Watchmen mythos to date. Those who are familiar with the story will not find any surprises here; however, the animation, voice acting, and script help propel this animated reproduction of a classic comic arc to the summit of the genre.
Special Features:
- “Dave Gibbons and Watchmen: Endgame” – Seven-minute documentary about the concluding half of Watchmen. Includes interviews with and about original Watchmen illustrator Dave Gibbons.
- “The Art of Adaptation: Building to the Final Act” – Ten-minute documentary focussed on the challenges involved when moving from comic book illustrations to modern animation with special attention paid to the second half of Watchmen.
- “Designing Watchmen” – Twenty-two minute informative documentary about the artistic/aesthetic design choices for Watchmen. Comprehensive interview with Dave Gibbons.
- Digital copy included.
