Book Review: Watchmen

Oh deary me, this is so overdue. I mean, the movie came out forever ago, and the DVD came out two months ago, and the actual book itself came out like, 25 years ago. So yeah, I'm a wee bit late.

Also, no "but Shauntel, this is a graphic novel, not a book. It can't possibly count for one of your reviews". To that I say nonsense. First of all, this so called "comic book" is better than most regular books out there nowadays. Also, this is my blog. I can do what I want.

THE BASICS: In an alternate 1980s world, one where Richard Nixon is in his third term and nuclear war is just around the corner, masked vigilantes have been outlawed. Some chose to retire, either using their fame to gain power and riches or simply disappearing into the shadows, hoping for a quiet life. Others continue their work, either legally by working exclusively for the government, or illegally, and living by their own terms. However, when one of these "superheroes" is murdered, others suspect a plot that might lead to the extermination of them all. However, what is discovered is more terrible and disturbing than any of them could have imagined.

THE CHARACTERS: (I hate going down the line, character by character, but I find it necessary in this instance. Not only because they're all so interesting, but because they each seem to embody a theme, all of which are presented throughout the book.)

The Comedian's death is revealed on the first page, but that doesn't take away from his presence that pervades the story. He is unquestionably rude, blunt, and a downright jerk and yet, you never can quite come to hate him. Shooting a pregnant woman, presumably carrying his child, and attempting to rape his friend are only a few of the crimes he has committed, yet he's almost unnervingly likable. He doesn't really care about anything, because he sees it all as one big joke. He doesn't care about the "smaller" of any evil, he's calloused himself to the more awful things in life. As a result, when faced with something truly horrific, he can't handle it. Because it was, for him, too late.

Rorschach is justice. Unbiased, unquestioning, cruel justice. He won't think twice about killing or maiming a person, but only those who deserve it. He has only one motive in life- to punish those who would harm the innocent. And anyone who would try to stop his from achieving this goal. True justice never compromises, and neither does he. He's another one of those unnervingly likable sorts too.

There is nothing particularly special about Night Owl. But that's what makes him unique. He represents the "everyman". He's a good, decent person who's just trying to do that right thing in a world filled with things far beyond his control. He shows that you don't have to have powers or some strange psychosis to be a hero.

And like the average person, he does some truly remarkable things. He shows feats of bravery and occasionally intelligence beyond that of his more "eccentric" pals. He's willing to sacrifice to do what he feels is right. And he's friends with Rorschach. That my friends, is something to brag about.

Good ol' Silk Specter II. Her mother was a hero as well, the original Silk Specter, and she's one of the few members of the Watchmen who never really enjoyed her job. Her future was mapped out at an early age, thus she never really had a choice about going into the super heroing business. As a result, she has quite a bit of animosity towards her parents, mostly her mother because she was the one who chose her career, but somewhat towards her dad as well, because he left his family when she was young.

Because of this, she feels lonely and lost much of the time, and she's generally quick to judge others, as she doesn't want to get hurt. The world is black and white to her.

As the only person in the story with actual powers, Dr. Manhattan is truly unique. Because of a science experiment gone wrong, he has the ability to manipulate objects at an atomic level. But in being endowed with God-like powers, he lost much of his human side. He simply doesn't care about life. Sub-atomic particles are much more interesting.

He is what science without morality is. It simply keeps moving, keeps improving upon itself, not caring about what harm it might do to the world around it.

Last, but definitely not least, is Adrian Vendt, aka Ozymandias. He used his "retirement" to give him a substantial fortune and fame unmatched. He's the marketer of a large variety of commercial products, including action figures of himself and the other Watchmen. Yet, despite the fame and novelization, no one really knows much about him. No one understands who he really is. To the media, he's a poster boy, an celebrity who helps bring in their cash. But then again, he brought it upon himself.

TECHNICAL STUFF: The comic is written in a fairly common, nine panel format, not that that probably means much to my reader though. Also, the color scheme, instead of being the traditional primary color format, is done with secondary colors. But once again, not that you care.

What you do proabably care about is just how in depth the story gets. The story of the outlawed masked heros is only one tale within the book. Actually, there are three separate stories going on at once, the other two which serve as a way to further convey the themes outlined in the book.

THE THEME: Dang, there are a lot of messages hidding in this book. But the main one? Appreciate life. Make the most of it. 'Cause you never know when it will end.

OVERALL: This book is on TIME Magazine's "Best 100 Novels" list for a reason. It's a brilliant story, embellished with strong, fascinating characters, a crazy twist ending, and overall cleverness. It's the sort of thing that everyone should read in their lifetime.

GRADE: A

Would I let my sister read it? No
Would I let my cousin read it? Nope
Would I let my dad read it? Yes

Random Blurb: Opinions

So have you ever noticed that there are some subjects that, no matter whom you speak to, people always have an opinion on it? And it's rarely an indifferent opinion, they either love it or hate it. I've compiled a short list of a few I notice in my everyday life...

1. President Obama

Might as well start with the elephant in the room. Overall, this is a rather touchy one simply because most every person I've spoken to either thinks he's the savior of our country who will bring upon a new era of peace and prosperity, or thinks he's some sort of anti-christ who will destroy our country/world. Personally I think either philosophy is ridiculous but whatever. I often have a funny feeling that I'm one of the few people in the world who actually is indifferent. And for me to not have an opinion on something- that's kind of a big deal.

2. Twilight

Aw good ol' Twilight. We've had many a laugh, it and me. Although that generally consisted of me laughing at it as it yelled things like OMG EDWARD IS SOOOOOO HAWTT!!!!!!!!!!!111!!!!!11111

Yeah, you get the picture. Anyway, there are lovers, and then there are Twilighters, the ones who spout out quotes such as "You're exactly my brand of heroin" that in a normal society would get them arrested.. And on the opposite side, there are those who love to flame Twilight Lexicon's chatroom with pro-Harry Potter propaganda. It's a seemingly never ending war that simply can never be won.

3. Cats the musical

There are, quite simply, two kinds of people in the world. Those who love Cats, and those who find it just too odd. (There's also a lesser mentioned third party, those who haven't heard about it, but we'll skip them for arguments sake.) This is how a typical conversation between a pro and an anti might go...

Pro: I love Cats the musical!
Anti: But it's weird...
Pro: The music is superb and unique!
Anti: But it's weird...
Pro: The dancing is so talented!
Anti: But it's weird...
Pro: The story is so deep!
Anti: But it's weird...
Pro: The costumes are so cool!
Anti: But it's weird...
Pro: The Rum Tum Tugger is so hot!
Anti: But it's weird...

Need I say more?

4. PETA

... ...I'm not even going to elaborate on this one...

5. Violent Video Games

To the animal rights groups who said Super Mario Brothers abused turtles, to the women's rights groups who said Grand Theft Auto was mean to hookers, such a controvery should have been long seen coming. I mean, people will complain about anything if it gives them 5 minutes on TV and free pizza.

There are those who say it's good for three years olds to shoot old ladies on the street as they push A several times in an attempt to steal her purse, and then there's those who claim that if you even consider smacking a pixelated hungry tiger, you will undoubtedly become a serial killer. Undoubtedly.


So is there a point to all this? I think it's that the Rum Tum Tugger really is kind of hot...

But maybe that's just me.

School is NOT cool

As the title suggests, I'm not really enjoying school. Maybe I was just spoiled last year 'cause it was so great, but I mean really? So far, it's been ridiculous.

First of all, my seminary class has, no joke, 57 people in it. Fire safety allows only about 36. There aren't even enough seats. And there's absolutely nothing I can change on me schedule to get out of it.

Then, in my stupid AP classes, my best friend and I have opposite block schedules. If things had gone as it was originally planned on my schedule, we'd have the same one. But no, the office decided to change it. I'm still in the process of seeing if I can fix that.

Now, you may be thinking "Shauntel, that's not so bad. There's only a few things wrong." And to that I say "Wrong!" Because when it comes to something I have to spend the next 8 months with, I'd like it to be darn near perfect. Wouldn't you?

But like I said, maybe I'm spoiled. Maybe because sophomore year was so fabulously perfect, this is what I deserve. *Sigh* Lovely.

But I digress. There are some good things. Like choir. Choir's good. And my Spanish class, one of the classes I was worried about, is actually kind of fun.

I'm still angry though.

If I were a rich girl...

...I would totally have one of these...









Or this...































But, sadly, money is not something the average teenager easily acquires. So instead, I have this...











'Cept it's green, dusty, and smells a bit like cheerios. But hey, you take what you can get right?

No seriously, I'm grateful. I'd be more grateful if I could legally drive it... but that's something only time will heal.

'Tis the end of an era...

Aw summer. Guess there's really not that much else to say overall. 'Cept that it's done.

*sigh* School starts on Monday. Lovely.

But that's not what this post is about! No no, we're going to be positive, not put the past behind us, and discuss summer. Because it was pretty hot.

Nothing especially exemplary happened this summer, until the end, in which I was gone for almost three weeks straight on two entirely separate vacations. In the first, as many of you know, I went to New Mexico for Pioneer Day. Pioneer Day in Ramah, New Mexico, is very much like it is in Utah, namely there's a parade, people are off work, and children run around covered in sawdust looking for loose change. Unlike in Utah, at least I would assume, the parade was only about 5-10 minutes long, about which I was perfectly fine. Best parade I ever saw.

The next major vacation spot was at the Homestead, which is where all the dad's family's family reunions are held. It was cool (literally), mostly relaxing, and very sociable. I ate a crawdad that my cousins slaved away at catching for me, viewed a truly vicious spider attack, and squirted water on my younger cousin's from the balcony, causing them to honestly think it was raining. It was a good week.

And while the above are the only major vacations that occurred, there were plenty of smaller things that happened as well. I didn't read much this summer, a fact that's disturbing me greatly, I assure you, I saw plenty of movies. But more strange than all the movies is the musicals I saw this summer, both live and on screen. Starting a few weeks before school ended, I saw Fiddler on the Roof, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Cats, Wicked, Sweeney Todd, Across the Universe, and part of the Pirates of Penzance. Odd. Very odd. And, if I get around to it, I might just have to devote an entire post to the stupidity that is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Yeah, some of you might like that show, but you cannot deny that it made no sense whatsoever.

So that was summer, or some if it, at least. So yeah. That's about it.

Just remembered, I lied, that's not about it. I got a car. Kind of. So there. That's about it.