This movie was tougher to rate overall than most, while specific characters were never good role models, the overall message of the movie was positive (the lessons good, the way they were learned, not so good). I loved this movie, especially considering I saw it in theaters, and am somewhat familiar with the novel (I have a copy I need to finish 100%!)... I would say this movie could have earned a NC-17, but because of the overall message, I would allow an average 16 year-old to watch it. The more inappropriate content is actually harder to find, I recently bought the "Director's Cut" Blu-Ray with digital copy; strangely the digital copy is the theatrical version, however, this time while watching, I noticed things I hadn't in theaters; The Comedian begins watching a movie, that looked as though it was setting up for pornographic content, and has a dirty magazine on his coffee table. During the scene where Adrian Veidt catches Rorschach and Night Owl treading in the snow, the movie the comedian was watching re-appears on the top monitor to the right of Veidt's head, and there are explicitly pornographic films playing on two other monitors, one visible fairly long. Another potentially offensive monitor showed a crucifix with Jesus' head replaced by that of a goat (this could be considered Satanic.) Veidt's monitors are shown often, but are only that clearly visible, at least with highly offensive content for that sequence. Other than these scenes the offensive content was fairly blatant. Good movie, fun to watch, and if your 13-15 year old kids aren't observant, you could let them watch, as long you will be there, and you may make it a one time deal, so that they don't find the offensive material!

I read the Graphic Novel, which I enjoyed, and the movie was faithful, in spirit and message, to the novel. The Cinematography was beautiful, the acting and actor selection was nearly perfect, character development was good too. This movie, like the novel, begs the watcher to ask themselves about human nature and good versus evil. Like the book it made me feel uneasy and it affected me on a gut level in a strange way. This movie is as good as your going to get in an adaption of a comic book. Yes, there were moments of brilliance but something was lacking. Maybe to slow at times, cheesy at others, and it felt inconsistent with itself (if that makes sense). I was rated R, so I expected violence, language, and some nudity (This was the director of 300). I did have a problem with one sex scene that was attune to a skin-a-max late night movie; it was over the top and not necessary. Definately not for kids under 16. Not a popcorn movie or date movie, but is a make you think movie. Ps. I am thirty, the review options would not allow me to go past 17.

First of all, while this film is great, it's not a normal superhero film or even a normal action film. The "heroes" in it are usually just as bad as the villains. There's not a whole lot of action in it; its appeal relies mostly on the philosophy and politics of the storyline. There is a message about good and evil, but whether its positive or not depends on how you interpret it (the movie gives no clear answers). There's a lot of thought-provoking scenes and heavy subjects, including items about nuclear war, human extinction, the morality of killing people who have done wrong, revenge, the existence of God, and the necessity of violence in certain situations. Not stuff that you want your two year-old hearing about, or at least not on this level. And despite the fact that it's a great discussion piece for older teens who can understand the meanings of the complex situations within the film, it's really not for youngsters. Violence is frequent and extremely explicit, showing a man's face get dissolved with hot french fry oil, people's limbs being broken into pieces with an audible crack, a pedophile's head being sliced and struck over and over again with a meat cleaver, a man's arms getting sawed off, and two dogs fighting over the last bone of a murdered young girl. Your typical R-rated language is used occasionally, and there are several sex scenes, a couple of which are quite steamy, plus some nudity (mostly a humanoid but godlike character who is colored blue). As you can see, everything in this movie is heavy to the extreme. There is no reason in the world that a child should see this movie, but every reason in the world that older teens should see it.

boring, but yet very violent in parts, sex scenes really unnecessary, seemed like they didn't have anything better to do so they dragged it out with that garbage... big disappointment overall, wish I had read this first, wouldn't have bothered.

not nearly as extreme as people say it is. contains suprisingly very few violent or sexual scenes. its a bit too long and gets kinda boring, but its stylish with great effects. the opening sequence with the comedian was excellent. ON for teens and even tweens.

This movie, along with the comic, is one of the best stories of my generation. It is very gritty and graphic story line, but that is not always a bad thing. The movie highlights many of the less favorable traits of humanity, and it shows throughout the story how some characters become "horrid" and how others view the negative human traits. This film, for me is a philosophical adventure and i think if you want to watch it with your younger children, you should discuss what the point of the film was on a philosophical level. Talk about what the author and director wanted the audience to get out of the movie. P.S.: Some people really hate this movie, which i can understand, it was written by a semi insane(in my opinion) genius author. The story is very deep and everything from why Dr. Manhattan is naked to the horrible things the comedian commits has a reason. Go into this movie with an open mind.

I felt uneasy just watching this movie. For the most part it is true to the actual grafic novel. But the sex scene on the ship along with the foot of the little girl and not to skip the fact that the very details of Dr Manhattan's privates.....all of which where not the same as in the book. I personally think it was just added in for ticket sales. It was not needed at all. The movie is going to make millions, but doing that to it just made it uneasy to sit there and watch it. I have seen just about every horror movie mad, but I have never been so uncomfortable as I was watching Watchmen. The director too it too far. I have two 13yr olds at home that wanted to go see it. I am so glad that my husband and I watched it before taking them. The main issue I have with this movie is the unneccessary sexual content. Way more in the movie then in the book. I like the book but not a fan of the movie.

If you're a fan of the graphic novel you'll probably like this movie. I wouldn't watch this without understanding what it is about.

Sadly, I did not read Common Sense before we went to the movies to see Watchman. A group of us walked out after an hour....which was way too much! I don't understand why it was not rated NC-17. There was way too much gore and porn. I like comic book themed movies but this was too slow, too much gore and too much about sex and not the characters. Shame for the movie theaters and parents for letting children view this.