Stephen and I saw Watchmen on Monday. We’d both read and thoroughly loved the graphic novel and yet, because I’d heard that the film was staunchly faithful to the book, some small part of me was reluctant. I’m not normally a squeamish person, but even I wasn’t sure if I wanted to see every bit of the book’s bloody content splashed across the big screen. Still I knew that I would forever regret not taking the chance to see the movie and, apprehension aside, I really did enjoy it. I think we may even see it in again while it’s still in theaters.

Yes, there’s violence. Actually somewhat more than I remember from the book and I had to look away a few times. And, yes, there’s sex. One particularly extended scene, in fact, during which my brother and I maintained eye contact and tried not to make goofy faces. We’re real mature, we are.

But I thought the casting was perfect and the performances spot-on. I actually found within myself a little bit more sympathy for Nite Owl, who had always struck me as a bit of a schlub, and I liked this Ozymandias, though he was portrayed somewhat differently than in the book. Maybe it was that velvety voice (you know, just sayin’…) Even Moloch had those crazy little pointy ears, and Jackie Earle Haley was amazing as Rorschach, the one character who I couldn’t imagine an actor being able to play.

This is a movie obsessed with detail, often mimicing the novel frame-for-frame. It’s so absolutely faithful to the book that it may prove to be too inaccessable to anyone not already familiar with the story. And, truthfully, the novel is far more layered and complex than the movie could ever hope to be, so as a fan, going to see the movie was less about the plot and more about ‘I am actually seeing this played out in live action.’ I’m no purist and, as I said, I wasn’t disapppointed.

While I can’t seperate my familiarity with the book from my movie-going experience, I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary for you to read the novel before seeing the film. Ideal, but not necessary. Just know what you’re getting into before you go to the theater. It’s “a parable about power, a deconstruction of superhero mythology and a multigenerational murder mystery with more than a dozen principal characters. It alludes effortlessly to Bertolt Brecht, William S. Burroughs, “Dr. Strangelove,” Greek mythology, ancient Egyptian history, Reaganism and Thatcherism. It’s funny, gory, sexy, sleazy and heartbreaking.” It’s also guaranteed to ruin an otherwise lovely date night, as I’ve heard about more than a few times this week, so consider this your warning.