OK, I've included some spoilers, but they're in black text, so just highlight the blank spots in the paras below to read them, refrain from highlighting for blissful ignorance.
First off, DO NOT take kids to see Watchmen. It has an R rating for a reason. Secondly, don't let reviewer's rumblings of how misogynist and violent to women the film is keep you from seeing it; it kind of is, but the violence gets equally spread around to men, women, kids, animals...I was a bit apprehensive because from what little I had read before seeing the movie it looked like more Sin City-esque 'tude; namely, that if you dress up misogynist pigfuckery and women as victims and only as victims ["Oh save me, I'm just a woman!"] in stylish art direction and call it noir, it's somehow OK. The only bad taste the movie left in my mouth was the Comedian's resemblance to Robert Downey, Jr. - I will forever get a twinge of "ew" when I look at RDJ and see the archetypal sleazy, nasty uncle. The one who's really your dad. Say it with me: Ew.
We arrived at the theatre a few minutes into the film, but before the main titles, and before the expository flashback [and can I just say, Silhouette is one sexy bitch, especially in the scene where she sweeps the nurse off her feet and just plants one on her. Whew. Never mind what woman I would go gay for, I think I have gone gay for Silhouette, played by gorgeous Vancouver artiste Apollonia Vanova.] Also, when Dr. Manhattan isn't wearing his Posing Pouch of Justice, he is noticeably swingin' some serious pipe. The only other thing I'm gonna say is that the wrong pair of glasses can dork a guy up beyond redemption - Night Owl is pretty darn lickable when he takes off those horrid seventies-style aviator specs, as the Silk Spectre finds when the two finally get together in a very sexy and very sweet scene. And hot. Did I mention hot?
If you're keeping an eye out for Vancouver landmarks, forget it; nothing to indicate the movie was filmed in Vancouver except the inevitable appearance by CTV's Mi-Jung Lee as an anchorwoman. I don't think that really counts as a spoiler. Oh, and Baber from Little Mosque on the Prairie has a small scene! And what Dr. Manhattan has to say about miracles at the very end is really quite moving, but that could have been the pre-film hoot talking ["for to enhance viewing of moviefilm"].
So, to recap: the movie is awesome, don't take the kids, go to the bathroom before the film starts, and bring your own snacks [it bears repeating: y'mama's got to hold on to her money, and I advise y'all to do the same].
