This new animated adaptation of Watchmen is notable for how faithful it is to the source material, often recreating the experience of reading the graphic novel. It has been adapted in a similar way before. There was a "motion comic" released in 2008 which took the images of the comic and added some movement along with narration and voices. This feels similar in how it brings the images to life so closely to how they were drawn originally but in a more traditional animated film. It very closely follows the story, presents the characters very similarly to how they appear in the book, and even works in the story-within-the-story The Black Freighter.
In light of that, what the film doesn't offer is anything new. Being so faithful means it doesn't add anything, including perspective. That clearly isn't the purpose. So as someone who has encountered this story many times through different mediums including having read the novel over and over, it felt faithful but like something I had seen before. I appreciate how much it recreates the story, and perhaps for someone who isn't inclined to read the original, seeing this film will be a good way to experience the story. It should also make purists happy who want to see the experience replicated from one medium to another as closely as possible.
Watchmen is a seminal and historic comic. This film captures that quite effectively. It will evoke memories of the story for those who are familiar while acting as a very competent introduction for newbies. The animation style, while capturing the feel of the original, also has its own feel. Generally I found it quite beautiful if some of it felt a bit unnatural. While it may not be my preferred means of "watching" the story, I do feel they did a good job of capturing everything that makes Watchmen was it is.
Watchmen Chapters I & II
Starring: Matthew Rhys, Katee Sackhoff, Titus Welliver, Adrienne Barbeau
Director: Brandon Vietti
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
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