WATCHMEN CHAPTER II (2024)
4K Ultra HD
Label: Warner Bros. Discovery Entertainment
Region Code: Region-Free
Rating: R
Duration: 89 Minutes 26 Seconds
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround with Optional English Subtitles
Video: HDR10 2160p Ultra HD (2.39:1)
Director: Brandon Vietti
Cast: Matthew Rhys Katee Sackhoff, Titus Welliver, Troy Baker, Adrienne Barbeau, Corey Burton, Michael Cerveris, Grey DeLisle, Kelly Hu, John Marshall Jones, Max Koch, Phil LaMarr, Yuri Lowenthal, Geoff Pierson, Dwight Schultz, Jason Spisak, Kari Wahlgren, Rick D. Wasserman, Zehra Fazal, Phil Fondacaro, Grey Griffin, Long Nguyen
Watchmen Chapter II (2024) is the chapter of this animated adaptation of the seminal graphic novel series by writer Alan Moore and illustrator Dave Gibbons, a 12-issue run that literally redefined the superhero comics when it debuted in the mid-80s, offering an alternate Cold War era America, set in 1985, where the murder of a government sponsored superhero leads to a world-shattering discovery of a conspiracy that has worldwide implications. In this reality superheroes have been outlawed except those sanctioned by the government, one such vigilante superhero, We have the continuing story of Walter Joseph Kovacs/Rorschach (Titus Welliver, Titans),the ultra-violent sleuth who has been investigating the death of government sponsored supe The Comedian/Edward Blake (Rick D. Wasserman, Green Lantern: Beware My Power), still believing that there's someone killing supes. Meanwhile, the god-like master of molecules Dr. Jon Osterman/Doctor Manhattan (Michael Cerveris, Stake Land) is losing touch with humanity as Cold War tensions seem about to over with Workd War III seemingly on the near horizon. while his dissatisfied wife Laurie Juspeczyk, Silk Spectre (Katee Sackhoff, Battlestar Galactica) gets her groove back on with he help of the very Batman-esque Daniel Dreiberg/Nite Owl II (Matthew Rhys, TV's Perry Mason). Also in lay is the genius Superman-esque billionaire Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias (Troy Baker, Batman: The Long Halloween, Part One & Two) who has been working with Dr. Manhattan to create a new limitless fuel source.
Like the first half of this animated adaptation this is quite faithful to the graphic novel series, as was Zach Snyder's film adaptation aside from the reveal of a manufactured threat at the end. I am pleased to say that this animated adaptation stays true to the squid ending, but I won't spoil it more than to say that, and it's fucking glorious. I also love Phil Fondacaro (The Creeps) playing the pint-sized crime boss Big Figure, who features prominently into the Rorschach prison storyline. Other highlights include the tragic fate of Hollis Mason, the original Nite Owl (Geoff Pierson, Dexter), and of course the final tragic confrontation at Ozymandias's remote Antarctic base.
Watchmen is a comic that has had a couple of stellar adaptations through the years, and I am in the camp that thinks Zack Snyder's live-adaptation was pretty fucking cool, and while we didn't get the space-squid, which is restored here with this animated adaptation, it's still an epic adaptation and is easily in my top 10 live-action superhero flicks of all-time. Also cool was the Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic that is pretty much the comic book brought to life through the magic of motion-comic animation, which if you're into motion comics enthusiast, I know it's a niche thing, is also pretty cool. But here we are, and I am also pleased to see it get the full WB animation adaption here with a full voice cast as opposed to the motion comic which was entirely voiced by audio book narrator Tom Stechschulte (Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Me audiobook). I loved Chapter I a ton and and Chapter II brought to it a close proper and it's a banger. While the graphic novel is still my favorite way to enjoy the story, which is how I first discovered it, and it blew my mind, I also love that there are so many ways you can take in the story, whether it's reading the original graphic novel, the live-action Zack Snyder adaptation, the motion-comic, and now this thrilling 2-part animated treatment. It's just a testament to the lasting power of what writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons created back in 1986. I'm sure the cantankerous Alan Moore will disown this version as well, but he's a tough man to please when it come to adaptations of his own work, rightfully so, but for the rest of us, this is an east recommend.
Audio/Video: The Watchmen Chapter II arrives on region-free 4K UHD from WBDHE, presented in 2160p UHD framed in 2.39:1 widescreen with WGC HDR10 color-grading. It look terrific, the digital colors and linework look terrific, I didn;t notice any banding so we have a great looking encode, and the HDR gives primary and secondary colors a nice blush with excellent contrast and deep blacks. No Atmos audio for this one either, but we dot get a terrifically immersive English DTS-HD MA 5.1 with optional English subtitles. The sound design pulls you right into this world, the seedy cityscapes are nicely realized, dialogue from the voicecast sounds quite pleasing and the supportive score by Tim Kelly has a nice showing in the mix.
Extras include the 10-min The Art of Adaptation: Building to the Final Act; the 7-min Dave Gibbons and Watchmen: Chapters 7-12; and the 22-min Designing Watchmen. The single-disc 4K Ultra HD arrives in a black keepcase with a single-sided sleeve of art, the same art is replicated on the Slipcover; and inside there is a redemption code for a 4K Digital Copy.
Special Features:
- The Art of Adaptation: Building to the Final Act (10:05)
- Dave Gibbons and Watchmen: Chapters 7-12 (7:16)
- Designing Watchmen (22:01)
- Slipcover
- Digital Copy
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