Watchmen: Chapter II

The animated Watchmen movies are the epitome of "let's just get it done". They're doing Alan Moore's Watchmen -- just about.

Nothing is egregiously erroneous here (no needless modifications to the plot; no misunderstandings of the characters vis-a-vis how "cool" we're supposed to think they are; none of Snyder's blunders, basically). It's just that everything is rushed through, the voice actors just sort of read the lines, and the cel-shaded animation, while it sometimes resembles Dave Gibbons' art to a T, is so stiff that it makes me miss the presentation of the Snyder film.

And that's mainly with regard to the characters; the backgrounds are often downright terrible (more noticeably so in this film than I can recall in Chapter I). There are moments where the CGI landscapes and models look more like something from Myst than Watchmen.

The MO of these movies is encapsulated in the scene where Dan "Nite Owl II" Dreiberg learns of the original Nite Owl, Hollis Mason's death at the hands of the knot-top gang; we here expect the scene where he has a moment of weakness and beats up a random knot-top in a way that would've previously seemed more befitting of Rorschach.

But when Rorschach says the line that is meant to lead into that sequence, Dreiberg replies "We don't have time". And so the scene is skipped. If only there was a way to experience this story in a way where, much like in the eyes of the mighty Dr. Manhattan, time is no issue.

Alright, let me just say it upfront: Watchmen Chapter 2 kicks ass.

If you thought Chapter 1 set the tone, this one punches you in the face with it and then makes you ask for more. The direction? Flawless. It's dark, intense, unapologetic, and every frame feels like it's ripped right out of the comic and soaked in blood and cigarette smoke.

Let's talk about what works:

Direction - 10/10

The directors clearly know what they're doing. The mood, the pacing, the way scenes unfold-there's a sense of control here. You can feel the tension ramp up even in the quiet moments. No scene overstays its welcome, and the big moments hit hard. They didn't just adapt a comic-they translated it, with all the grit and grime intact.

Voice Acting - 10/10

Spot-on. Every voice matches the character like it's their soul speaking. Rorschach sounds exactly like he should-paranoid, broken, and dangerous. Dan's got that lovable sad sack energy. Laurie? Strong and conflicted. And Sally... yeah, we'll get to Sally. Point is: the voice team nailed the emotional beats. No wooden delivery, no cringe-just good acting.

Animation - 9.5/10

Absolutely gorgeous. This isn't Saturday morning cartoon crap-this is high-end, stylized violence and drama. The fight scenes are brutal and clean, the facial expressions are nuanced, and the lighting is pure noir porn. Every scene feels like it belongs on a giant screen in a dark room with a glass of whiskey.

Sound - 8.5/10

Solid. The score underlines the emotional weight without overdoing it, and the effects during action scenes are crisp and punchy. Sometimes the music swells a bit much, but honestly? It's forgivable.

Editing - 8/10

Clean, sharp, gets the job done. Transitions are smooth, especially when jumping between timelines or memories. Could it be tighter in a couple of scenes? Maybe. But nothing that pulls you out of the experience.

And now, Sally Jupiter...

Jesus Christ. I don't know who decided to make Sally the goddess of seduction in this one, but they deserve a raise and a bottle of champagne. She's magnetic every time she's on screen. The animators really leaned into her presence-every glance, every strut, every camera movement around her feels intentional. You can feel the room stop when she walks in. The way they framed her, especially during the flashback scenes, is pure cinema. She's not just eye candy-she's the whole damn dessert tray.

And yeah, let's be honest: the butt shots? Yeah, they're there. Tastefully framed, but not shy either. It's provocative without being sleazy. She owns her sexuality in a way that feels both empowering and thematically relevant, especially given her role in the Minutemen and her complicated legacy. Beautifully done.

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Final Thoughts:

If you're a fan of the original Watchmen or even just good adult animation, you owe it to yourself to watch this. It's raw, visually stunning, and filled with layered performances and storytelling that actually respects your intelligence. It's not just a nostalgia trip-it's a real adaptation that understands the soul of the source.

Also... more Sally, please.

8/10. Would watch again. With whiskey.

Rorschach's journey in Watchmen is a testament to unyielding heroism in a morally complex world. Despite his flaws, he embodies the purest sense of justice, standing firm against corruption and compromise until the very end. His unwavering resolve, commitment to truth, and ultimate sacrifice solidify him as the story's greatest hero.

Rorschach's heroism begins with his refusal to conform. Unlike his peers, who either retire or work within the confines of the law, he continues his vigilantism despite the Keene Act banning masked heroes. For him, justice is non-negotiable, and his actions are guided by a strict moral code. He patrols a decaying society not for fame or power but because he believes it is the right thing to do.

The murder of Edward Blake (The Comedian) sets Rorschach on a path of relentless investigation. Where others see a random crime, he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens millions. His determination to expose the truth, no matter the obstacles or dangers, highlights his greatest quality: an unshakable belief in honesty and justice. Unlike his colleagues, who grow weary or disillusioned, Rorschach never wavers.

In the climax, his moral integrity is tested. Ozymandias reveals his plan to sacrifice millions to unite the world and avert nuclear war. While others, including Dr. Manhattan, accept this as a necessary evil, Rorschach refuses. For him, the ends do not justify the means. He boldly declares, "Never compromise. Not even in the face of Armageddon." This line captures his essence: a man who would rather die than betray his principles.

Rorschach's refusal to stay silent about Ozymandias' crimes ultimately leads to his death. Confronted by Dr. Manhattan, he demands to be killed rather than live knowing the truth will be buried. His death is not a defeat but a final act of defiance, a statement that justice and truth are worth more than life itself.

Though brutal and uncompromising, Rorschach stands as the moral heart of Watchmen. In a world of moral ambiguity, he is a rare figure who holds firm to his ideals. His tragic end serves as a reminder of the cost of integrity in a corrupt world. Rorschach's legacy is not just his actions but his unwavering belief that truth and justice are worth any sacrifice.

The alterations in this variation of the Watchmen graphic novel was more extreme than in Chapter 1 & the 2009 film in some ways , taking some big liberties with the story structure & certain scenes. However it retained the basic story elements of the original source, which the film version altered notably at the end.

For me the structural changes & additions didn't improve the story at all & jarred a bit at first.

Then I began to appreciate the fact that the original source would be impossible to do justice to in such a short space of time, & the changes didn't distract from the momentum of the film.

So, maybe someone who is unfamiliar with the graphic novel may find it easier to 'work out'.

Everything about the production & design of this animation is great. The music is superb , except that it be occasionally overbearing - drowning out the actors voices a bit much for my old ears.

The animation itself is brilliant with many superb moments. Some people have complained about it, tho I imagine the same commentators wouldn't be able to watch any animation pre the CGI if their sensibilities can't appreciate the work on this. Animation is not meant to be solely 'hyper-realistic & ray traced', it is often about a 'broad stroke & impression' than seeing the texture of fabric on a CGI model. The animation should be in the service of the story, & here it does the job superbly.

It should be remembered that the graphic novels 1st animation, that told the story most faithfully to the original, was about 12 hours long , 3x longer than the combined length of these two chapter. So there is no way it could be adapted in a one-for-one manner & it would be unfair to judge it as such.

The changes in this version are noticeable, but it is also refreshing seeing how another writer (J. Michael Straczynsk -of Babylon 5 fame) would approach & handle the story without totally ruining it. Here he does a good job, that in places expands on some 'vaguer' moments in the graphic novel that are only more comprehensible after finishing the story.

First of all part one was good but nothing groundbreaking..I went into this hopeful of something slightly better and they really impressed me.

The use of sound and score is one of the best I've heard any movie use. It is excellent. There's a real sense of dread and impending doom and it's built over the 90 mins perfectly.

The animation and sets are incredible but when it's bad it really stands out. I felt there was maybe a few scenes it looked out of place or cheap but that was less than a few mins total(one example John on balcony on mars)

Voice acting can't get much better either. Titus welliver as Rorschach. Rory Baker as Ozzy. Sally and the narrator also put in top tier performances..

Great fight scenes coupled with lots of blood.and gore

Sit down and enjoy this 90 minute adaptation of a classic that I don't think anyone else has delivered.