Watchmen: An HBO Limited Series (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Warner Bros. / HBO  
Release Date: June 2, 2020
Rating: TV-MA
Film: 4.5/5

Plot
Set in an alternate history where “superheroes” are treated as outlaws, Watchmen embraces the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel of the same name while attempting to break new ground of its own. Watchmen is created and executive produced by Damon Lindelof (Lost, The Leftovers) and reunites him with Academy® and Emmy® Award winning actress Regina King (The Leftovers, Southland, If Beale Street Could Talk).

My Thoughts
I was never a huge fan of the Watchmen movie nor its extended version released on UHD a few years ago, but I thought I’d give the show a chance since Damon Lindelof was the executive producer and I like what he did with Lost. Overall, I find this to be a compelling show worth watching. The acting is top notch and I really enjoyed the soundtrack that ties in nicely with the story. The writing is also crisp and edgy, although I have to admit that a few of the episodes are a bit bizarre (especially Episode 3 “She Was Killed By Space Junk”), but I can see why the show was so popular on HBO and why it has the following it does especially with its stronger episodes. The show is a slow burn and is loaded with Easter Eggs, which become apparent on a second viewing (my wife was late to the party, so I was able to rewatch the first five episodes with her). 

The audio and video are reference quality from beginning to end. The video encode features accurate colors, inky deep blacks, and plenty of depth. The studio only placed 3 episodes on each disc to ensure there was enough bits to go around. The audio is just as impressive and creates a very immersive experience.

Video 5/5 
Audio 5/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)


Special Features:

• Hooded Justice
• The Colossal King – Adrian Veidt
• Watchmen: Unmasked (New)
• 2019 New York Comic Con (New)
• Watchmen: Masked and Dangerous
• Watchmen S1: Trailer
• Character Trailer – Blond Man
• Character Trailer – Looking Glass
• Character Trailer – Sister Night
• Becoming Sister Night
• Notes from the Watchmen graphic novel artist Dave Gibbons
• Rorschach Featurette
• Watchmen: Alternate History
• It’s Raining Squids
• Squid Shelter with Tim Blake Nelson
• Andrij Parekh on Directing
• Sadiqua Bynum runs, jumps and falls for Sister Night
• Blu-ray + Digital Copy

Conclusion
The first episode has a way of drawing you in the remaining eight keep things interesting enough for you to stick around. My only disappointment is that Lindelof set out to make a 9 episode story arc and is not interested in returned for a second season—maybe someone else will pick up the baton, but at this point it doesn’t look like one is coming anytime soon. If you’re a fan of comic books be sure to check this one out. Recommended.

[AVSCraig]

I never saw the movie. This looks interesting, and dark. 

[David Vaughn]

I never saw the movie. This looks interesting, and dark.

Craig,

It's well done...a little quirky and weird, but still top notch entertainment.