After twenty years in the making, Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ critically acclaimed graphic novel “Watchmen” hit the big screen. Whether it hit it with a boom or a bust remains to be seen. Guided by the notoriously graphic director Zach Snyder, who directed the film “300,” “Watchmen” is an ambitious piece that strictly tries to cover the lengthy storyline of the novel.

Written in 1986, “Watchmen” garnered a cult following within the realm of comic book readers. The novel was not admired for the usual comic book traits, such as sexy, immortal superheroes, but rather the realistic flaws in the characters behind the masks. The story is depicted in a bizarre, historically altered 1985 New York City with the country on the brink of nuclear war with the Russians. In “Watchmen,” the United States win in Vietnam and Richard Nixon is in his third term as President (which is funny in itself). The only actual superhero who has super powers, and has the power to prevent the country from nuclear war, is Dr. Manhattan. Known as Jon Osterman (Billy Crudup) before he was caught in a freak sciaccident, Dr. Manhattan has the ability to see into the future and cause people to spontaneously combust.

The movie runs for two hours and forty-three minutes and begins with the murder of the Comedian, a former superhero member of the Watchmen. Constructed using multiple characters’ flashbacks, “Watchmen” is told in multiple perspectives, which gives the film its own unique style. As members of the Watchmen continue to get mysteriously killed off, fellow members Rorschach and Night Owl II, played by Jackie Earle Haley and Patrick Wilson, begin to investigate what is behind these murders. Visually engrossing, the movie is filled with epic sets of New York City and Antarctica. As always in comic book movies, there are fight scenes, which Snyder delivers excessively violently. The acting is mostly off-putting and the one-liners by Rorschach may make you cringe, but these flaws do not restrain the storyline. Snyder crafts a graphic, ominous plot and at the same time makes light of the situation, as seen with President Nixon’s unbelievably large nostrils.

Aside from the grimacing images throughout the movie, “Watchmen” has an excellent soundtrack featuring the likes of Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and Simon & Garfunkel. Each scene transitions smoothly using songs perfectly suited for each scene. In one scene, Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence” chillingly cuts to an expansive cemetery for the Comedian’s funeral.

With the combination of an interesting plot, grand settings, the usual vivid fighting scenes and an excellent soundtrack, “Watchmen” is a recipe for success. Some may say that it has been overhyped, but for those who read the novel, Zach Snyder makes an admirable adaption of the book. Those who did not read the novel may be a bit confused at times, but overall Snyder’s graphic style will eventually appeal to the moviegoer looking for an entertaining movie.