WatchmenComicMovie.com Forum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI-HSFO_rSM

I remember having a conversation with a friend a few weeks before the movie came out. We were wondering if the misleading way the film was being marketed would help or hurt it. Would people marvel at having their expectations shot down? Or would they feel cheated?

The thing I remember most about my first reading of the book is that it defied all the expectations I'd had because it was a "superhero story." I wondered if perhaps the same thing might happen to moviegoers.

In retrospect, it appears everyone felt cheated. They saw trailers, and paid $10 to see a superhero/action VFX epic, and didn't get it.

What if Watchmen had had a more accurate marketing campaign? What if it wasn't marketed as an action film? Would that have affected the response from critics and audiences?

_________________
"Computer unnecessary."

In retrospect, yeah, it probably would've been better as far as peoples' reactions to it, since they'd have a better idea what to expect. I'm not sure how it would've affected the box office revenue, though.

_________________
A world united in peace. There had to be sacrifice.

I think it might have to do with the fact that people saw the trailers and think "Watchmen? What the hell is that?" It's wasn't a household name, unlike Batman, Superman, X-Men, ect. I'd never heard of Alan Moore until V For Vendetta came out a few years ago. But, the main problem is that Batman and his ilk have had one thing in common: they were eventually targeted to kids. There is no way in hell that Watchmen could ever be suitable for children, unless that cartoon fan video were to actually be made into a real program.

_________________

^ But "300" was rated R, and less known than Watchmen. And it was a huge success.

I think the marketing attracted the wrong people, and drove away the right people...

The right people saw the trailers, and stayed home because they thought it was just another superhero action film. The wrong people sawthe trailers and said "fuckin' cool dude!!1! 300 meets Batman!!" and they went to see it....... So of course audiences didn't love it.

That being said, I think this film was always just destined to not be a huge commercial hit. And that is what's so cool about it.

_________________
"Computer unnecessary."

that doesn't matter because there are more wrong people than right people, the wrong people paid to see it and added to the BO Gross, and the right people are going to see it at blockbusters, or hear about it by word of mouth and buy the DVD

watchmen did poorly but we all know it will be a cult classic.

_________________
We're all actors, Laurie. I'm just an actor who read the script.

Joking of course.

_________________


"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

I really don't see why not.

_________________
My unofficial and offical work-> http://www.youtube.com/movieboyandco

it wont be a cult classic if you keep saying it will be one

Can you elaborate? That statement doesn't seem to make any sense.

_________________
"With our thoughts we make the world."
-- Gautama Buddha

i just get sick and tired oh it is gonna be a cult classic mind you i freaking love the movie let the movie become one on its own merit. Don't have to keep telling people it will be a cult classic did everyone think blade runner would be one or Films like Donnie Darko no they just happened.

I think the point it that you can't thrust cult classic status on a movie, especially so soon after its release. A movie becomes a cult classic when it goes unnoticed initially and gains a small, loyal following later on. Movies like Fight Club, Memento and Donnie Darko didn't do any business when they were in theaters. Watchmen on the other hand did do decent business. People did go to see it. It had action figures and all sorts of other merchandise. It was in the public eye, if only for a brief moment in time.

I don't think Watchmen will become an undiscovered gem. I think those that liked it the first time around will still like it, although maybe not as much as they did when they first saw it, and those that didn't like it will still probably not like it.

_________________


"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

a cool quote from Snyder about the film from CHUD

'Not to be snobby or anything, but I think the movie doesn't have the kind of... it asks a lot of the viewer. It's not "entertaining" in the classic sense of the word. That's just a fact. It's not an action film, it's not a comedy. Dramas are not hot right now, and no one wants to see a dramatic superhero movie. It's inherent in the material. I was kind of surprised by how excited everyone was getting at the time of release, because I always knew the movie was particular. I knew there were [only] certain people who would say "This is awesome."'

Well, I can't comment on Blade Runner, but when me and a few friends saw Donnie Darko we knew that it gain a larger following in the future.


I agree, but no one here said it was a cult classic. They only said that it would be one in the future.


Money has absolutely no effect on whether a film is a cult classic, nor does it's initial popularity (or lack thereof). A cult classic is a film that has a very loyal, but small group of fans. Theoretically, a film can be well-known among mainstream audiences but still only have a small fanbase.


While you certainly have the right to your own opinion, I think that your personal feelings toward the film is affecting your prediction too much. Your suggestion that people may not like the movie during repeated viewings as much as they did during their initial viewing seems to stem from your opinion that the film wasn't a good one, and goes off of the assumption that your opinion is the right one and that more people will come around and realize that the film isn't as good as they originally thought it was.

With all due respect, you shouldn't forget that people have different opinions and taste from yourself. Ideally, a prediction should be based off of knowledge about the what you're predicting, good reasoning and accurate data. While personal opinion does and obviously should effect the prediction, it shouldn't be a major influence.

_________________
"With our thoughts we make the world."
-- Gautama Buddha

Yeah, I know that. See, I was giving my opinion on the matter. My opinion would be different from yours.



Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of movies I thought were great, yet maybe not as great as I initially had thought. City of God is one example. I thought it was one of the bets I had ever seen, but now, looking back, I don't know if I'd go that far. I think I was caught up with much of they hype that surrounded the movie. At the time it was considered by many to be an instant classic. While I still think it's an impressive movie, there are flaws in it that prevent me from thinking it will age well in the future.

Which brings me to Watchmen. There was certainly a lot of hype amongst us when it came out. And I have a feeling that there were some on this forum that would have loved it no matter what. I just think there's a possibility that they might not think it the masterpiece they originally had thought when viewing it in a few months, or years time. Which is totally possible. Which is why I used the word maybe. I'm not really predicting anything, I just have a hunch. That's it.



But it is the right one. Search your feelings, Sasso, you know it to be true.

_________________


"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

Oh, alright, I get what you meant now. I was way off. My apologies.

I do understand what you mean. In fact, there's quite a few films that I really loved upon initial viewings, but once the hype settled down and I watched them months, or in some cases, years later, they just weren't the same quality that I originally felt they were.

_________________
"With our thoughts we make the world."
-- Gautama Buddha

Most of the time directors aren't responsible for the marketing of films so i'm not gonna blame Snyder for false advertising but he really should've said something about this. All the trailers and TV spots make this movie look like an action packed summer blockbuster. Now while there is action, thats a small element of the film. Now i'm not gonna lie, it was cool to see those scenes on the big IMAX screen, but that was not the point of the book/movie. Our generation is getting stupider because if they have marketed this the way it's supposed to be (a mystery thriller), then no one would go see it. But you put action, and hot girls, and explosions, then it will make $180,000,000.

_________________
"They got writers, and scientists on this island with a giant squid! They didn't even invite me! They're having a bloody party! They have hookers! What the fuck Adrian, you bastard! Next time you visit me, you're getting a can of whoop ass!"

it is sad is'nt but i truly believe if they marketed as a mystery crime drama it would of made even less money than it did

That's probably true. It's a tough sell. I remember when DDC had that contest where we had to describe Watchmen in one sentence, and it was pretty tough to boil it down. There's so many elements to it.

_________________


"Heard them Walthers like to jump some" "As will you, with one in your elbow."

i think what is so hard is when you try to describe the film it has less to do about the plot lol

Beyond "someone's picking off costumed heroes," trying to describe what Watchmen is about in a 2-minute trailer is futile...

The teaser trailer was the one piece of marketing I was pretty happy with. I think that kinda got it right. They just wanted to give people a sense of tone rather than describe the plot.

_________________
"Computer unnecessary."