Underrated Movies

I was sat thinking the other day on the amount of films that are seriously underrated and deserve better attention than what they currently getting, which is a real shame as its these films I find are far superior than an overrated, over advertised film starring the same cast that are currently starring in every film showing on a multiplex.

With the constant remakes doing the rounds at cinemas. I want to watch something different and original - WATCHMEN is definitely one of those films.

Yeah okay, it didn't do well at the box-office, but there was a lot legal problems surrounding the production and the initial release of the film was put back five months in the UK.

Putting that aside, Watchmen is a film worth watching.

Set in an alternative 1985, when President Nixon has just been voted in for another term in office and nuclear war is inevitable between the Russians and the US. 

The Watchmen are a group of superheroes forced out of retirement after a colleague is murdered.

The film begins with the death of the Comedian. A gun-totting hero who worked secretly with the Government and had a political view on just about everything and didn't really care much for anyone other than himself. 

As Watchman vigilante Rorschach starts to piece together the clues, he begins to reveal a lot of dark secrets surrounding the Comedian and other members of the Watchmen, that make them realise its not just Comedian's name thats on the hit list.

What I loved about this film above other superhero films was that it wasn't a typical red, white and blue, God bless America film. It was gritty, dark, violent and proved heroes have their own problems to deal with and are just as human as everyone else.

With the brink of nuclear war hanging over everyone, you could feel the depression everyone was feeling and that threat of life being wiped out.

The original cinema release has a running time of just under three hours. 

Yeah its long and to be honest, don't expect constant action throughout as it doesn't happen. But when the action does kick-in, its brutal, no-hold barred graphic violence, which adds to the depressed tone of the film.

However, if you're going to watch it, then I suggest you get a copy of the ultimate version. There are three versions of the film and the ultimate cut has a running time of near three and a half hours. This cut is the directors cut with a short film called 'Tales of the Black Freighter' which is narrated by Gerard Butler, woven into the film which is also available on DVD/BlueRay as a separate film.

Overall, Watchmen is a gritty film-noir style superhero movie which is worth a watch especially if you're wanting something a little more original.