Presenting the Minutemen

[thehefner]

I fucking love it.

There are some people who will think they look ridiculous. These people miss the point entirely.

Not only does it look like one of the old Batman/Republic serials, but one commenter on the CHUD.com message boards made this observation: "The thing that truly sells the picture for me is the looks on all of their faces. The costumes look ridiculous like they should - but that's not hard. Get a decent costume designer to exactly replicate what's in the comic and it's done. The faces though, betray a lot of character and do for the the costumes what the actual cloth can't accomplish. With each face, you can see the slight embarrassment that is a subtle undertone in the book. There are (perfect) exceptions - the comedian looks like he couldn't give a shit, hooded justice just looks slumpy, un-photogenic, and uncomfortable, and night owl looks like he's dove into this thing head first and is bound to take himself seriously. I can't get over how absolutely fantastic the look on Dollar Bill's face is."

More than ever, I know that if WATCHMEN fails, it won't be for lack of honest effort and passion on Zack Snyder's part.

Comments

[kosher-jenny.livejournal.com]

That...that looks good. Really good.

Was that sound I just heard the sound of my hopes rising? NO, MUST MAINTAIN CYNICISM AT ALL TIMES. MUST KEEP MY EXPECTATIONS LOW. This could still be another V for Vendetta, but with an even shinier wrapper.

Another good thing about this picture is that when you compare it to the photos of the modern costumes it's now clearer that the latter designs are sending up the Batman Forever style movie superhero costumes.

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

So you too remain at-least-not-fully-impressed by the V movie? I thought it was a lot better than it could have been, even pretty darn good on its own merits, but it suffers so hugely in comparison to the book. And I'm not even the world's biggest fan of the book! I think it's excellent, but it doesn't strike the personal chords that, say, WATCHMEN does. Meanwhile, it bugs me that so many people love V but will likely never read the book.

I know, right? I think it's brilliant that they play off the Schumacher costumes, making commentary on superhero movies the way the book did on superhero comics.

[kosher-jenny.livejournal.com]

Yeah, when I take it as it's own movie, it's a nicely-done film. But so much of the spirit of the original and its characters (V especially, shoot pretty much all of the characters) was altered for the sake of coolness points and an awkward updated political metaphor that there's no way that I can call it anything but a poor adaptation. And normally I am very forgiving about adaptations (see icon).

And it is weird to see so many latch onto V who are probably only familiar with the movie character. Like Anonymous and the Scientology protests (although the V mask also has another meme meaning for the 4chan crowd). Though I have to say that the photos featuring tons of protesters in V masks does amuse the hell out of me.

I know, right? I think it's brilliant that they play off the Schumacher costumes, making commentary on superhero movies the way the book did on superhero comics.

Using the rubber nipples for good!

[thehefner.livejournal.com]

Much as I do enjoy Hugo Weaving's take on V, it feels rather like the softer, cuddlier version of the character, which is very much against the point. He shouldn't be all, "I'm sorry I had to do that, Evey, but don't you see, it had to be done!" No, he's "I did it, I'm right, and you'll see I'm right." Much creepier, bolder, and more challenging. But again, I speak as one who's not a particular fan of the story, just speaking on principle.

What constantly bugs me about the V movie is how it didn't go far enough, particularly because it DID go so very far! It already crossed the line into controversial-land, why did it just stop when it could easily have gone all the way without any cost to them? It's endlessly frustrating for me.