Should I Read The Novel Before The Movie?

[Everything boy]

I said no for the reason stated before.
No matter how faithul the movie will be it can never capture the magic of the comic.

for example, I liked the V for Vendetta movie when I first saw it.
Then I read the book, and I loved that too.

Now I can't stand the movie. BUT, I least I managed to enjoy both.

I know how you feel, I read V about 5 years before the movie and when I saw that travesty I felt really bad, not because they reamed that story (hey the book is still there) but because everyone who I talked to loved it, loved V, (you make one egg for someone and suddenly you're friendly) and worst of all thought they had received an equivalent experience. The reason I chose yes is because whenever I would like to discuss V,and since the movie came out I've gotten a lot of (false) opportunities, I find that people have a hard time separating the two and end up thinking "this guys a fanboy who can't get over things, I got, albeit in a shortened way, the book this guy is talking about he's just mad they didn't include minor things from the book."

Oh god I just had the most horrible vision: Me talking with a group about the end when someone says "that's not what happens dr. Manhattan blows up a half dozen cities makes a galactic threat meant to tie in to the title, and nite-owl kills Veidt" (shudder)

 

[Wesley Dodds]

I know how you feel, I read V about 5 years before the movie and when I saw that travesty I felt really bad, not because they reamed that story (hey the book is still there) but because everyone who I talked to loved it, loved V, (you make one egg for someone and suddenly you're friendly) and worst of all thought they had received an equivalent experience. The reason I chose yes is because whenever I would like to discuss V,and since the movie came out I've gotten a lot of (false) opportunities, I find that people have a hard time separating the two and end up thinking "this guys a fanboy who can't get over things, I got, albeit in a shortened way, the book this guy is talking about he's just mad they didn't include minor things from the book."

Oh god I just had the most horrible vision: Me talking with a group about the end when someone says "that's not what happens dr. Manhattan blows up a half dozen cities makes a galactic threat meant to tie in to the title, and nite-owl kills Veidt" (shudder)

You, sir have just absolutely nailed not only one of my main problems/concerns with this adaptation but with ALL adaptations... Well said.

 

[ScarecrowMan666]

I don't think it's been verified that Nite Owl kills Veidt.

 

[Everything boy]

To Mr. Dodds Thanks. I have learned that some time one has opinion about things for reasons one cannot put ones finger on, sometimes others can help articulate these reasons, I love when this happens to me and I'm glad I can help.

I don't think it's been verified that Nite Owl kills Veidt.

There's still hope he dosen't, I'm hoping they're tricking us about the alien thing, but considering whats happened in the past, nothing would surprise me (shudders while pictureing Rorschach at the end of chapter 3: "good morning daniel, brought you sunday paper, and cooked you eggs-in-a-basket")

 

[Papa Burgundy]

classic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

im reading watchmen for the first time ever right now...i just got it and im almost done...amazing so far

 

[Papa Burgundy]

holy crap...i just finished watchmen....holy crap

 

[magicangel1989]

Yes you should read the graphic novel before seeing the movie. Watchmen from now on is the best novel i have ever read.

 

[Adam3482009]

Definitely read the graphic novel before watching the movie. I can see why Alan Moore hates hollywood adaptations and hollywood movies in general. Watchmen (with all it's grand special effects and all it's bells and whistles) will dissapoint. Just how much is the question.

However, I will say that if Veidt is killed by Nightowl (who they stupidly try and make badass looking in the movie) then that's reason alone not to bother with the theatrical release.

 

[CaptainGenerica]

I like how we're all raising "what-ifs" that have been fully debunked. Nice work folks.

 

[Anubis]

I don't think you should. Just in case. I can't help but feel that I would have enjoyed quite a few movies more had I not read the original stuff it was based on. I liked From Hell, until I read the book. Had I not read League of Extraordinary gentlemen before the movie came out, I might have enjoyed it. Instead the bastardization of it resulted in me beating an usher to death with some twizzlers. I'd say watch the movie, then read the book. The book is awesome no matter what (unless you're one of those smurf taints who don't like it! )...the movie? Well, that's still up in the air.

 

[Electric Sixx]

I clicked no.
I just finished reading it.
I now know that I won't possibly be able to enjoy the movie the way I might have had if I hadn't been exposed to this masterful piece of literature which cannot possibly be translated with due justice to the big screen.

That is exactly what I based my yes on. I'm sure you'll enjoy the movie much more without reading the source material, but there is no sense spoiling the story with the movie which is bound to be inferior. Not that I have anything against the film, its looking suprisingly good but I couldn't possibly imagine is surpassing the book.

 

[shoelessthunder]

I see you point about enjoying both.
But if you read it first, you can feel like an elitist! And that's priceless!
I'm just kidding.
But, seriously, YES. Read it at least twice before you see it.
For sure.

 

[Bubastis]

The book was terrible, so I would suggest not reading
it. I'm sure the movie will be horrible too. Don't waste your money.

 

[Symbiotic]

I bought mine today and I just finished Chapter IX. Really good stuff so far.

 

[Adam3482009]

You guys have explained the dilemma spot on. What it comes down to is whether you'd rather have the book spoil the movie or the movie spoil the book? Most casual people that haven't read Watchmen will probably wait for the movie but I don't know...

As "shoeless thunder" said above, reading the book can make you feel like an elitist! You can have fun seeing how the movie adaptation compares to the book. If you start to get annoyed, calm down, relax and sneak a few beers into the movie theatre (the bravery of such an act could make you feel a bit of an adrenaline rush and maybe even like a sort of vigilante yourself).

 

[Anubis]

I don't like Beer. I only drink Gin, and the last time I snuck some Gin into a movie, I fell down the stairs and dislocated my thumb. Yes it was as awesome as it sounds. But I forgot what movie I saw......It's just as well I suppose.

 

[david icke]

For this book I would say definitely read the book first.
As a rule for reading the book first before any movie I don't know. When I saw 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas' i was very put out and distracted by the fact they ommited one of my fav scenes from the book, when they cause a big disturbance leaving the police lecture and the subsequent convo with a cop in the bar. But this was very minor, it's a great adaption.
Same with 'Hannibal', I didn't enjoy the film as much as I kept thinking about stuff that was omitted, like his escape through Rome on a motorcycle(ok, maybe Hopkins was too old for that, in fact definitely), but once the book was out of my mind I enjoyed the film a lot more on subsequent watches.

With Watchmen I think reading the book beforehand can only be beneficial, I think there will be many instances where you will get a huge thrill out of seeing something you did not think they could have pulled off.

 

[DoomRulz]

Question: I want to read Watchmen, but it seems like there are multiple novels out there. Where do I start?

 

[Matt Murdock]

I'm not going to sit here and tell you, or the other posters, all about how Watchmen is a great piece of fiction, a spectacular narrative, or a testament to the medium. Far from it. The reception of the piece will be on a personal level. What I will point out is that when you go to see the film, you'll be going in with a deeper appreciation of the story's message, characters, and development than if you went in cold. The book itself is so massive that things are bound to get overlooked and I, personally, am not really looking forward to the movie, given how high my expectations are. My copy of Watchmen is about a year and a half old, but it's already worn down and torn up, due to how enthralled I was with the story. It's worth picking up and reading just so you can know what you're seeing as it unfolds on screen.

 

[Matt Murdock]

Question: I want to read Watchmen, but it seems like there are multiple novels out there. Where do I start?

Head to a local bookstore or comic shop. Just ask for the Watchmen book. They should give you a paperback trade book that has a portion of the smiley face logo on the front. There is also a limited-release book with a picture of New York City on the cover.

 

[Anubis]

Question: I want to read Watchmen, but it seems like there are multiple novels out there. Where do I start?

There's only one Watchmen. Maybe you saw the absolute edition? That's bigger, prettier, with lots more extras. Also more expensive. If you want it, go for it, but you're not getting anything different than what you'd get for the trade paperback.