Neuropolis: Animation, Film, Stuff

I have my doubts about the movie but this is one really incredible trailer. Love the use of Smashing Pumpkins. I wonder if it was a conscious move to claim the song from the worst comic book movie ever for use in a project so promising. I love how they made it start off looking like such a typical comic book movie with Manhattan’s origin, then settling into a strange somber tone, and ending on Rorschach’s utter refusal to be any kind of hero. The shot of The Comedian firing a flamethrower gave me the kind of chills I got when Wall-E put his hand through that asteroid belt.

I’ve long maintained that no movie could ever do right by Watchmen. It’s too much about being a comic book, too specific to its own medium. It would be like turning Citizen Kane into a graphic novel. The most they can hope to do is tell the story. But on the other hand, I don’t have any real problem with that. I just don’t expect the same transcendent experience.

Alan Moore is, of course, still prickly about the whole thing. I like that he sticks to his guns but I’ll never understand the ambivalence towards adaptation, not just of his art, but all art. I’m much more in line with Mike Mignola’s philosophy. If any artist wanted to re-interpret my work, I’d be totally flattered and excited. Provided they weren’t trying to make a soulless cash-in, I think I’d be very pleased.

Not that I have to worry about anything like that. But, you know, hypothetical.