LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - " Watchmen ," a costly superhero movie based on a cult comic-book series, overpowered the weekend box office in North America , selling an estimated $55.7 million in tickets in its first three days, distributor Warner Bros . Pictures said on Sunday.
The tally fell a bit short of pundits' forecasts in the $60 million-plus range, and was considerably lower than the $71 million start two years ago for "300," the previous film from "Watchmen" director Zack Snyder . The ancient battle epic holds the record for a March opening.
The film, reportedly budgeted at $120 million, was released in the United States and Canada by Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros . Pictures, which said its 161-minute running-time inevitably affected business.
"Our expectations were met," said Dan Fellman, the studio's president of domestic theatrical distribution.
Posted: 08 Mar 2009 23:49
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So I went to see the Watchmen yesterday and I thought it was really well done.
++++++++++ WARNING ++++++++++
This note contains spoilers about the movie, do not read the text in between the +'s if you haven't seen the movie. Everything else is ok.
Story: 9.5/10
The movie followed the book almost to the letter and was able to get across the whole point of the story which was what would superheroes be like in a real world scenario. It kept its serious plot with a few funny, sad, and shocking moments.
++++++++++
The only thing that didn't follow the story was how Ozy used Dr. Manhattan's power to destroy the major cities around the world. In the book, he teleported a giant alien-squid like creature which exploded as soon as it was teleported to Earth's surface. In the movie, there's just a crater, which now that I think about it, wasn't Dr. Manhattan's teleportation ability, but his overall power.
++++++++++
Effects: 10/10
Hollywood does it again; the effects were outstanding, all the way from Dr. Manhattan's origin to the fight scenes.
Music: 7/10
While some of the music really fit the story, other parts were...less than applicable. They didn't follow the seriousness of the story but at the same time didn't really get in the way of telling it.
Acting: 10/10
I'm not the best judge for acting, but to me, it seemed real therefore I thought they all did very well. Especially Jackie Earle Haley, excellent job.
Overall: 9/10
I liked the movie, it is rated R for a reason, but overall, it was fun show that really dove into the reality of human nature in the comic book universe. __________________
Warner Bros.' edgy superhero pic "Watchmen" grossed an estimated $55.7 million from 3,611 theaters in its domestic B.O. debut, coming in lower than expected but still scoring the best opening of the year and one of the best showings ever for an R-rated film.
"Watchmen" placed No. 1 in North America as well as tops overseas, where it was the first major day-and-date release of 2009. Film grossed an estimated $27.5 million from 5,097 theaters internationally for a worldwide total of $83.2 million. Paramount is distributing abroad.
Warners had hoped "Watchmen" would match, or even best, the $70.9 million domestic opening of Zack Snyder's previous film, "300," which bowed on the same weekend in 2007. Overseas the "Watchmen" debut also failed to match the "300" opening numbers.
"Watchmen" nabbed the third highest March opening of all time after "300" and "Ice Age: The Meltdown" ($68 million). Debut is also the fifth best for an R-rated film.
Posted: 10 Mar 2009 05:11
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just watched it!!!!! i have to say i was blown away by it, and i honestly think it did justice to the book! by far my favorite comic movie ever!!!!!! i'll be watching this one over and over and iv'e never gone to the theater to see the same movie twice(ever)!!!
but this is just my opinion! go see it!!!! __________________
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Posted: 10 Mar 2009 14:36
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Which character did you like the most? Was it Rorschach?
Posted: 10 Mar 2009 21:31
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Rorschach, and Night Owl,Rorschach was a real bad@$$!!! __________________
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Posted: 10 Mar 2009 22:08
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I liked it when Rorschach said in prison, "I'm not locked in here with you, you're locked in here with me." That was tough. I just wished he wasn't presented as quite so crazy. Like the whole meat hatchet scene. I think if that were Dirty Harry, Clint would have gave the bad guy a chance to fight back and then killed him. More cool that way. You know. No fun if the bad guy just sits there.
Posted: 11 Mar 2009 03:05
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yeah that line really stood out to me also, i dont know though i think its different when i comes to children crimes, in my case i would want to make sure that kinda guy was dead,Rorschach wasn't super human so wat i the guy had his houuse tricked out with traps and he captured Rorschach,than he woulda got away!!!! this way the guy is dead for sure!!!!! i woulda done the same thing!!!! also it makes it clear on what made Rorschach get that truamatized __________________
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Posted: 11 Mar 2009 16:20 Last Edited By: Tim
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I see your point, but I was thinking you know Wolverine would have wanted a fight too. Of course he has super healing powers and really sharp claws.
****Spoiler Warning*****
About the ending. I can't understand why the Manhattan would kill Rorschach and let the Smart Guy go so he can kill millions of people again whenever he thinks the world isn't playing nice again.
Posted: 13 Mar 2009 01:48
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Just seen it tonight. Great translation of the comicbook. Rorshach was spot on. It does bring back that 1985 feeling of dread.
Speaking of fearing the bomb has anyone seen When the Wind Blows animation by Ramond Briggs? Or Threads the TV movie about what would happen if a bomb when off in Sheffield England.If you watched these movies and then watched Watchmen again you'd really get a sense of where Alan Moore was coming from at that time. On a bright note(well nearly) I wonder if the DVD will have the pirate story they cut out
Didn't see those nuclear TV shows, but watched the show Jericho that was out recently, and I've seen a 80's nuclear war TV movie The Day After
Posted: 14 Mar 2009 00:08
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Here's what we in Britian was watching back in 1985 to perpare for the Big One.
Posted: 14 Mar 2009 16:02
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Spooky stuff. Surprised fall out room wasn't under the ground.
Posted: 14 Mar 2009 21:07
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Not many houses with cellars or hurricane shelters these days.
Posted: 17 Mar 2009 20:57
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Watchmen took in an estimated $18.1 million in its second weekend to place second at the box office.
The film dropped 67 percent from its opening weekend. It has a 10-day total of $86 million and figures to cross the $100 million mark in the next week.
Disney's Race to Witch Mountain topped the weekend box office with $25.0 million. The Last House on the Left, which beat Watchmen on Friday, placed third for the weekend with $14.7 million.
