Matthew Winant - Watchmen (03/15/09)

Before spring break I took the time to read the graphic novel Watchmen and in turn then proceeded to watch the film on opening night. The religious aspects of the film and novel are many in number, but most need greater evaluation. More often than not the religious aspects of the film are paired with some philosophical vision, such as free will and savior figures. The individual characters themselves exhibit some kind of religious, or at most, a spiritual vision towards the world. The most obvious connection to the mysterium is the character Dr. Manhattan. He is a product of experimental disaster when the doors close behind him in the particle chamber, giving him the ability to break down matter and change it, or even create it. However, while understanding how to master this ability he has lost touch with humanity. It is ironic that during the movie Dr. Manhattan mentions that he doesn't believe in God, but if there was one, he (Manhattan) wouldn't even compare, yet at the end of the film/novel Manhattan mentions about leaving this galaxy to move to another, and possibly creating life. Dr. Manhattan is also considered the savior of America for most of the film and is looked upon by the American government to destroy the Soviet missiles aimed at the United States. In terms of human nature, the film agrees that human nature is inherently evil, much like the Christian view of humanity. One of the characters, The Comedian, even abandons the Watchmen because it is pointless to continue vigilante justice when people don't change. Also, the character Ozymandias, the smartest man alive, finds that human nature will become good if there is no threat in the world, to succeed he blackmails Dr. Manhattan to create peace between the United States and the Soviet Union. However, Rorscach's journal is published which shows Ozymandias betrayal of Dr. Manhattan which post-film recreates an evil human nature proving that human nature cannot be changed from evil to good.