It’s hailed as both one of the most popular graphic novels of all time and one of the most definitive superhero stories of the last century: Watchmen. Despite a decent adaptation from divisive visionary Zack Snyder 15 years ago, and an Emmy-winning sequel series from sci-fi connoisseur Damon Lindelof 5 years ago, the actual source material has never been done justice…until now.

 

Earlier this year, Warner Bros. Animation, Paramount Pictures, and DC Entertainment released a joint adaptation of the novel titled Watchmen: Chapter I. As the name implies, it only covers the first half of the story. This week, the second half titled Watchmen: Chapter II, comes out. And while both carefully adapt parts of the same book, they are also two totally different films.

 

If you’re unfamiliar with the basic plot of the graphic novel, it takes place in an alternate version of the 1980s. In this world, most superheroes are vigilantes. The main group of heroes in this world is called the Watchmen. They wield such power and influence that the government sees the need to use them to fight their wars. But when the government no longer needs the heroes, it makes vigilantism illegal. Years after their forced retirement, one of the last 6 remaining members is killed. When another member decides to investigate, he stumbles upon a conspiracy that could be connected to the start of World War III.

 

Now, to reiterate, unlike previous visits to this franchise, nothing is changed except how the story is presented. Chapter I is the origin story of our heroes, while Chapter II is a philosophical thriller. The first does a good job at drawing us into the world and its flawed characters, while the latter forces us to examine the similarity of that world to our own through the lens of each character’s psyches. With Alan Moore’s original story being so schizophrenic - tackling several monumental themes and sometimes across space and time - it’s a brilliant choice from director Brandon Vietti and writer. J. Michael Straczynski to simultaneously split and simplify the story.

 

Chapter I is important in laying the framework for the film’s existential ideas and overarching mystery. But Chapter II sees our characters forced to come to terms with their own choices in order to solve that mystery. That’s not to say that the second is better than the first; however, it is entirely more effective. Even if you’re familiar with the story, you’ll walk away from the first film still curious to see how it all plays out. It's just that invigorating. But the second film evokes a bittersweet sense of devastation and optimism, two feelings that couldn’t be any more relevant in today’s political climate.

 

One of the most prominent ideas throughout the graphic novel is that the world’s Doomsday Clock is “minutes from midnight,” with the artwork for each of the story's original 12 chapters showing us literally ticking to the end. Throughout Chapter II, and even towards the end, one thing it makes perfectly tangential is just how easy it is to want to give up. At the start of Chapter I, everyone has pretty much already given up to a degree, having resigned to their private lives for fear of persecution by the government. But in coming out of retirement and reclaiming their lives, they show us that giving up really is a choice. Even in the film’s climax, where the world our heroes knew has figuratively ended, Doctor Manhattan’s final words, “Nothing ever ends,” ring truer out loud than they ever did on the page.

 

Aside from Alan Moore’s tone, both films also do a good job capturing the gritty allure artist Dave Gibbons and colorist John Higgins put into the book too. As perfect as the characters and settings look though, the 2D animation isn’t the smoothest. That is probably the biggest con for this adaptation as a whole. And it’s wild considering that Warner Bros. Animation is not new to the game. The film’s style is probably most comparable to FX’s Archer. Not bad, but comically jarring. Sometimes it looks like you’re watching some of the novel’s pages leap to life. But other times, when you see characters start to talk, you realize that something is off. That’s not a slight at the voice acting. It’s just to point out that the lips on many of the characters throughout both films move somewhat out-of-sync with what’s being said. Whether it’s a dubbing issue or not, it is a consistent distraction. That’s saying a lot, considering how dense the overarching story is.

 

Now, it’s obviously hard to talk about both films, let alone the last one. On one hand, you can’t spoil it for those who have no clue what to expect. But you also have to provide enough substance to assure true fans that it is worth watching.

 

Distracting dubbing aside, both chapters of Watchmen are great. If you’ve never read the graphic novel, or if you’ve never watched any of the live-action versions, you are guaranteed to have your mind blown by this version because it’s still an honest telling of Alan Moore’s story. If you are a fan, both entries will help you better visualize Moore’s vision better than any live-action version ever could. Rorschach’s animated mask, Doctor Manhattan’s perception of time, and even the recurring imagery of the blood-splattered smiley face come to life in time to awaken a whole new generation of anxious minds. For a story with such a major meditation on space and time, this adaptation carries enough energy to ensure the franchise remains in the cultural conversation for the foreseeable future.