Watchmen: An HBO Limited Series [SteelBook] [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray] [Only @ Best Buy]

The Watchmen series, like the movie, is subject to criticisms from fans of all sorts. Especially given the writer of the source material is a very popular voice, and one that practically loathes every aspect of adaptations - definitely don’t expect this project to be any different. And to make matters even more ambiguous, the series offered a very open and esoteric promotional campaign, leaving audience members never really knowing very much about the show’s placement in timeline, and involvement of characters. Well, what we’ve been delivered is something more of follow-up, while also taking some interesting looks backwards, though overall: this is a follow-up in terms of the overall narrative. And the zeitgeist of the setting is pretty much on par with the deconstructions of the source material. Using the original characters as a baseline to inform the audience of how we got into this world, nothing else is really depicted in the same way, offering up a completely different look at the other side of the same coin. In fact, the original characters are pretty much only in place to push this new age plot into directions that leak over to our newer character’s progression, to help back up their motives, or even to question it. All while skewering the racial socio-politicking that has been an underlying rhetoric of America for far too long - even going as far as to start us out in the middle of the Tulsa riots. None of it being too forceful in its message, but more so an informative tool to keep us tuned in with the world that is being deconstructed in the series, similar to the Cold War scares used in the source material. The effect is ultimately just as heavy on the narrative. In the end, this is a really cool and new way to continue experiencing Watchmen, especially in a contemporary setting, and for those that want more of the same without the repetitive nature of most adaptations - this is definitely a story worth it’s own judgement. Even at half measure, I think this show could’ve been a good run, but there’s a lot of passion and understanding for what came before, while paying respects in a fresh new take.

Does it start a little hard to get into? Maybe an episode to get you barrings, yes, but this is a sequel to the classic (but over hyped) graphic novel printed in 1985 by (troll under a bridge Alan Moore. Now, he doesn't have anything to do with this excellent sequel to the original novel, mainly because his ego is sooooo large, he could not bring himself to thinking anyone else in the world could write something good. Seriously. The man can write good, but he doesn't think people can write his characters after him, even though he basically copied his Watchmen characters from other comics. Anyway, this show is a piece of art, and as much as everyone thought it'd be rubbish, it turned out so very good. So guess what Alan Moore? You were wrong again. Time to admit all of Hollywood is not a bad place, just some of it. I wonder if HBO will do a League of Extraordinary Gemtleman? That'd be neat.

Somehow, they made a limited series that captured what made Watchmen great, and still put their own take on it. Not a retelling of the Watchmen comic (nor the movie, which took creative liberties to fit a 2 hour runtime film narrative), Watchmen brings us to the present day of the alternate "history" of that world. Great performances, it is has something to say about our modern times, and the same old story of hate and racism too.

There will never be anything like this again- maybe a good thing! It's fantastic, smart, and other than some both-sides-ism between the characters and cops, it does a fairly good job of using fiction to show real life racial and cultural horrors. Fascinating show especially if you are a fan of the original comics, many easter eggs and references to spot.

This continuation of the classic WATCHMEN tale is such a wild ride. It tackles some issues that we are currently living in, but not so much that it allows you to escape in the story and really enjoy the story telling. It was planned to be an ongoing series on HBO, but it has a fitting confined story that even though it is one season (and story) it leaves you satisfied with the overall season.

This show will divide people but it is thought provoking, especially with racial injustices. It helps to know the Watchmen story (graphic novel more than the movie). The show masterfully weaves the different stories until the satisfying climax. Make sure to watch all the way to the end of Episode 8. The video is very good (too bad not released on 4K UHD), but the audio was recorded very soft, forcing me to increase the volume about 10 levels on my receiver. Dock one star for that. The extras are great, providing insight 8nto the show and it's themes. Too bad the one about Regina King's stunt double was too short. Highest recommendation (with audio issue).

How do you follow up on one of the most influential and important comic books of all-time? You remix it and modernize it and humanize it even more than it already was. Damon Lindelof is one of Hollywood's greatest storytellers, and the team he assembled to tell this story succeeded on all counts.

A timely, relevant follow up to the iconic comic, Watchmen builds on the long lasting legacy of its source material to create a new world that forges new ground while also featuring echoes of what came before. The steelbook is gorgeously designed, full of content beyond the miniseries itself, which would be more than worth the price alone.