A Test for Rorshach

How this happened, or how it was discovered, I have no idea, but someone, somewhere noticed that there was a test image for Watchmen character Rorshach embedded in a recent theatrical trailer for 300. Now, of course, it’s everywhere (including here), leading me to think that this is more a case of viral marketing than a happenstance occurrence. That’s ok though. We’ve all been waiting for a Watchmen movie for years. It seems a little surreal that it’s so close to becoming a reality. Clearly the intention is to virtually generate the sets and environments, a-la Sin City and the aforementioned 300, but is that a good idea? Is this the only way we’re going to see comic book movies anymore? Has anyone seen a movie with predominantly virtual scenery where the acting was exceptional or even merely passable (and yes, I’m lookin’ your way, Star Wars: Episodes I-III, Sky Captain, etc, etc, etc…)?

Add to all of this the fact that director Zach Snyder is already warning fans that there will be some changes from the comic to the big screen. While this fact is expected, some of the changes he mentions are of questionable taste, such as making the female character’s costumes “sexier” and making Nite-Owl “more terrifying” (correct me if I’m wrong here, but isn’t he SUPPOSED to be an overweight, geeky has-been?). While I’m looking forward to seeing these characters finally make it to a film, I also understand why Alan Moore has distanced himself from the films of his work.