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'Watchmen,' 'Terminator: Salvation,' or 'The Spirit': You may choose only one!

Jul 24, 2008, 02:40 PM | by Michael Slezak

Categories: 'Watchmen', Comic-Con 2008, Film, Movie Trailers

HEY! YOU! You're getting paid to do your job -- not sit at your desk and surreptitiously read PopWatch. And don't try to close your Web browser and feign innocence, either -- it's too late for those kinds of shenanigans. As your punishment, I present you with the following painful scenario: Let's say you were only allowed to see one of the following hotly anticipated, big-budget action flicks -- Watchmen, Terminator: Salvation, or The Spirit. Which would you choose, PopWatchers? Which would you choose?

Me? I think I'd have to go with Watchmen. I'm not a comic-book geek, but my husband is, and he's been all "squee squee squee" about this movie since he heard it was going into production. Our recent EW cover story about the movie (click here to read it, and here for related Q&As on our Comic-Con hub) got me even more excited, and the presence of Malin Akerman, who was pitch-perfect as Juna on The Comeback, is like peanut-butter sauce on an already delicious hot-fudge sundae. [Insert stomach growl here. And yes, I know my obsession with Lisa Kudrow's short-lived HBO obliterates my geek cred. So what?] The special effects look terrific (love Dr. Manhattan zapping that dude from behind) and there's a sense of foreboding in the trailer that sticks with you long after you've finished watching. Better still, since the movie doesn't hit till Mach 2009, I can read the graphic novel on which it's based beforehand.

First runner-up goes to The Spirit, which looks like a rather sumptuous feast for the eyes (and I'm not referring to its sex-on-a-stick stars Gabriel Macht, Eva Mendes, and S-c-a-r-l-e-t-t J-o-h-a-n-s-s-o-n, either), but the very end of the trailer gave me a split-second flashback to The Cell, and knocked it officially into second place.

As for Terminator: Salvation, well, I need to see a little bit more to get excited. I sat through all nine episodes of Fox's good-not-great Sarah Connor Chronicles this spring, so maybe it lowered my threshold for Terminator-related entertrainment, but somehow I feel like this is just a variation on a theme I've already heard.

Okay, so now it's your turn, you procrastinating, unproductive employees of The Man. Pick a team: Watchmen, Terminator: Salvation, or The Spirit. And no waffling, please!


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Nik Fri, Oct 3, 2008 at 12:45 PM EST


I love Christian Bale's work, as he seems to be a consummate artist/actor. But Terminator has been played to death now. Plus, since James Cameron is no longer involved with it, the story has gone way off the rails, just so the studio can figure ways to extend the franchise.

The Spirit looks like a damn good adaption of the comic book, even with the sometimes jarring and experimental "comicbookesque" approach to it's look.

But the one preview that really sent chills up my spine is The Watchmen! Many years ago, one of my friends insisted I need to read The Watchmen. I never got around to it, but have a second opportunity to do so and will read it before I go see the film.

Few films change or inspire the way I feel about going to the theater (the cinema being my cathedral) to see a movie. The Watchmen is the only one of these three that I insist on seeing on the big screen!

Tom C. Fri, Aug 8, 2008 at 06:54 PM EST

Hmm, I ust finished re-reading Watchmen, so that may have influenced my vote, but I'm going to say it. Snyder said he'd be faithful to the novel, so that's what I'm counting on. Me and my friend both saw the trailer, and he was said "That movie looks like it's just lights and noise." I almost slapped him in the face, but I decided to end him my copy. A few days later, he said "Dude, this is the coolest thing ever. That movie will rock." So, original comic story + Snyder's faithfulness + Cool visuals= Watchmen, for the win.

As for Terminator and Spirit, I can't think of which one I want to see more. I don't really no that much about the Spirit, other than what my friends have told me. I guess I want to see Terminator more.

Who watches the Watchmen? Me.

Joseph Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 09:33 PM EST

Ya gotta go Terminator here...Bale is perfect for the Kickass leader here and theres nothing like an apacolyptic movie with man kind agaisnt robots...Terminator all the way!

kristie Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 09:24 PM EST

of the three, definitely Watchmen. I may even go see it in the theater. The spirit looks like sin city, and I really didn't care for sin city. I'll catch that one on cable. And anything with Christian Bale makes me happy. But how long are they going to go on with Terminator? I'm getting Terminator-ed out, with the tv show and all. Will def catch that on cable

Rob Grizzly Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 09:05 AM EST

Watchmen. Easily. Snyder is awesome.

The Spirit looks like a rip off of SIn City, and has a craptastic cast.

Terminator is being made by the same guy who did Charlie's Angels. 'nuff said.

EricMontreal22 Sun, Jul 27, 2008 at 11:48 PM EST

Watchmen, even if it's the one that worries me the most. I haven't thought much of Zach Snyder as a director since some of his fairly homophobic remarks about his adaptation of 300 (arguably homophobic anyway--Alan Moore, Watchmen creator certainly thinks so), and the trialer looks too pretty, too CGI, too superhero-ey and th ecast too hot (Patrick Wilson even with a gut is hot) for the material which is meant to look shop worn. But I'm such a fan I won't be able to not see it and hope for the best.

Close second is Spirit--the original comics by Will Eisner (the first "adult adventure comics?") being a huge influence on Alan Moore anyway. My prob is Frank Miller in updating the era and changing the color scheme seems to be making Sin City 2 which The Spirit, while an influence on Sin, definetly isn't...

Terminator. meh. Even Christian Bale has me not even remotely interested.

blake Sat, Jul 26, 2008 at 01:29 PM EST

I'm in the minority, but I think the Watchmen looks absolutely horrible. I'm going with Terminator.

Jeremy Sat, Jul 26, 2008 at 10:23 AM EST

WATCHMEN! I love the Terminator Movies, but the Terminator world has been painted... though possibly not as broadly as it will be come the release of Bale's incarnation, so I'm gonna go with Watchmen for sure. THE SPIRIT... eh... I was really disappointed with the first trailer, just boring "seen it before" stark images of a cardboard cutout running against stylized backgrounds, that I lost interest... The 2nd Trailer though was impressive!

bakerboy Sat, Jul 26, 2008 at 08:41 AM EST

I watches the Watchmen.

Ann Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 03:24 PM EST

Terminator! I wanna finally see what happens in the future. Plus I love Christian Bale.

robyn Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 01:55 PM EST

Watchmen, for sure. It looks amazing! If they screw it up, though... I will not be impressed.

Chad Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 01:38 PM EST

I will watch the Watchmen.

Katie Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 01:20 PM EST

Love the Sarah Connor Chronicles but I'd have to go with Watchmen - Terminator Salvation looks good but not great, y'know? It takes a lot to match Jim Cameron's unique mix of brains, balls and heart as a storyteller. Zack Snyder OTOH has a knack for making movies that shouldn't work click (Dawn of the Dead, 300). Count me excited to see his take on Watchmen.

Brett Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 01:17 PM EST

I'm sure that "The Spirit" will be visually stunning, but ultimately a big disappointment to fans of Will Eisner's hero and his storytelling style. Samuel L. Jackson in a Nazi uniform? Wearing some 1970's fro-hawk with a headband? A floating dream sequence with a glowing woman? And the Spirit talking like a leftover from Miller's "Sin City"? Maybe the rights owners will do what Marvel did with the Hulk and wait five years, then hire a director whose storytelling style ISN"T limited to "Sin City" and "300" to do a more faithful adaptation of the book.

harry Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 11:45 AM EST

the spirit looks pretty good!

Lauren B Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 08:56 AM EST

Terminator!
I would like to see a trailer with a little more info though, but Christian Bale is my man

Kelsey Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 08:01 AM EST

Watchmen.

Sheila Fri, Jul 25, 2008 at 01:16 AM EST

I agree, Terminator Salvation, all the way.

Raven_Moon Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 11:39 PM EST

The Spirit looks stylistically interesting to me. The trailer made me curious.

monica Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 11:16 PM EST

This is a terribly difficult choice. A day ago I would've chosen Watchmen hands down even though I was blown away by Christian Bale's performance in The Dark Knight, but after hearing Eva Mendes say "Shut up and bleed" in The Spirit, I'm a bit torn. ugh! fine! THE WATCHMEN!

E.B. Berman Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 09:38 PM EST

Spirit, no contest. Terminator feels a bit unnecessary, but I'll go. Watchmen . . . I'll also see, but I'm not into the cinematography and design. I feel like it should be more naturalistic; it should be naturalistic as hell. (Spirit is also unnaturalistic, yes, but in a stylized way that I like and I'm not familiar enough with the original comic to know or care if it's the "right fit." Also, so many talented and gorgeous women.)

Al Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 08:48 PM EST

Terminator Salvation, all the way.

Jess Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 07:54 PM EST

WATCHMEN!

arrit Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 07:24 PM EST

watchmen, definitely - not a big fan of millar, but the spirit looks good

aa Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 06:46 PM EST

i'm going with terminator. been waiting for sarah connor's son to show up and that whiner in the last movie wasn't him. i think christian bale could be the leader and figher we've been hearing about.

melinda Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 06:37 PM EST

Watchmen, 100%, all the way. Never even heard of it til all of this stuff about the movie came out but once I saw the trailer I was SOLD. I have no clue what "The Spirit" is supposed to be about and Terminator, eh, I'll get to it.

Jessica Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 06:32 PM EST

McG is going to turn a lot of people off of the new Terminator flick(including me). Watchmen is definitely the one to see with The Spirit a close second. The Watchmen trailer made me cheer-yes, I was that excited! As for The Spirit, I've been wanting Gabriel Macht to break out for several years and this could be his chance!

Kath Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 06:30 PM EST

Terminator. I've heard too many fanboys complaining about how the Watchmen movie is going to suck. No matter how much Terminator sucks, on the other hand, it will still be 1000 times better than T3.

Nathan Poitras Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 06:21 PM EST

I'm going with Watchmen. With The Spirit coming in second. I just can't get excited about Terminator because of the McG factor, that guy couldn't direct traffic on a one-way street.

Michelle Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 05:57 PM EST

Normally, I'd say Watchmen, but I'm going with Terminator. After seeing Christian in TDK, I'm really pumped for Terminator.

Martha Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 05:29 PM EST

"Watchmen" for sure...gotta go read the novel first. Elizabeth, were you watching the same trailer I was? Crudup is practically bare as Dr. Manhattan...

cajunsblues Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 05:25 PM EST

Watchmen of course.

Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 04:36 PM EST

Watchmen, definitely, definitely Watchmen

dan jones Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 04:32 PM EST

snarky: JDM's character does die in the beginning... but don't you worry... the story jumps around in time and he's a MAJOR CHARACTER of the film.

dan jones Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 04:31 PM EST

It's Watchmen. Anyone who says anything else is either Frank Miller, McG, or mentally retarted.

Oh, and the Spirit looks like garbage. I've got 10-1 that thing bombs.

Hunter Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 04:26 PM EST

1. WATCHMEN!
I just finished reading it a couple weeks ago and it has stuck with me. It seems that Zack Snyder has done an incredible job transfering this heady work from page to screen and the trailer and EW cover story only add to my excitement (as does the appearance of Malin Akerman!)
2. Terminator
First two Terminators are classics, but the third one is, eh... Will see it only because of Christian Bale.
3. The Spirit
I agree that it looks like a Sin City rip off, but will end up watching it for the hot eye candy and Sam Jackson.

AA Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 04:11 PM EST

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, waffles......... Okay, back to work.

Mike Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 04:11 PM EST

Watchmen hands down, I hope Snyder delivers...

meg Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 04:00 PM EST

Definitely Terminator, solely for Christian Bale, the Watchman and Spirit previews scared me to death.

Laurie Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 03:48 PM EST

Hey Sleazak - I don't wanna see that!!! I heart the Comeback.

Not really. I want to see them all, but Watchmen is the winner no contest.

paige Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 03:30 PM EST

watchmen all the way!!!

aps Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 03:30 PM EST

sorry to all the fans, but I think watchmen looks yeck. ick. pbt.
the spirit looks exactly like sin city. i get staying with what was successful for you, but....it literally looks exactly the same (appearance-wise, not story wise I mean).
I guess terminator holds the most promise with me. gotta admit, i'd miss arnold though. wouldn't be the same without him. hopefully they don't go all star wars episodes I-III and make it look nothing at all like the originals. It's gotta have that same feel.

snarky Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 03:05 PM EST

TERMINTATOR. Xtian bale is yummy. Watchman is a little intruiging, but I heard that my fav, JDM (jeffrey dean morgan) dies early on, so that it depressing. no interest in the spirit - frank miller is ghastly.

mark in nyc Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 03:00 PM EST

Watchman! Watchman! Watchman! Watchman! Watchman!
After seeing the trailer on the big screen before Dark Knight I went home and reread the whole series. The more I read about the movie (almost 3 hours long) the more I know I will like it.
The Spirit looks horrible...and while some people are saying this is the guy who gave us 300, Frank Miller also gave us Robocop 3 (written and directed).
I will probably see it anyway for the eye candy.
Will not see T4 till dvd, McG stinks on ice and I wont be paramount to contributing to the cesspool of movie making that is him.

Nancy Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:45 PM EST

Slezak, be complimented that we spend our "60 second vacations" at Popwatch. Okay, so some of those "vacations" are longer than sixty seconds, but still. :) As for the movies, I'm interested in none of them. I'm not a comic book geek, so I don't know anything about any of them. However, you're not alone in missing The Comeback, Slezak. Why oh why did HBO cancel that show?!

dnnlnn85 Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:35 PM EST

Team Watchmen, all the way.

malren Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:34 PM EST

No contest...Watchmen. Then T4. I'm not even going to bother with The Spirit. The trailer, the teaser and the website conspired to convince me that it will be a steaming pile of crap. I love Miller as a writer. as a director...he needs a stronger personality reigning him in.

jcarla Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:33 PM EST

Well, Minutiae, since 'The Spirit' is from the same man that wrote and co-directed Sin City and started the comic relaunch of the Spirit, it should look close to Sin City.

Vicky Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:31 PM EST

Watchmen. Been hearing about this movie for a little while. Then I saw the trailer. I watched it about 5 times and then went straight to Amazon to view the graphic novel. I read the first few pages and ordered it right away. It hasn't arrived in the mail yet. Maybe today...*crossing my fingers*

Amanda Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:30 PM EST

Watchmen looks the best, no contest.

Snarf Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:27 PM EST

Watchmen

mattyc Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:27 PM EST

I am excited for all three of these big-budget flicks, but if I had to choose, I have to pick "Watchmen," since it comes out on my birthday (sorry Christian Bale).

Minutiae Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:26 PM EST

"Minutiae, your comment about The Spirit is a bit silly: Frank Miller is directing it, and you may (or may not, who knows) remember him as the creator of Sin City, as well as Robert Rodriguez's co-director on the film."

Yes, I'm well aware, and don't think my comment's silly at all. It looks like they're trying to go back to the same visual well as SC to get a similar hit, and I have no interest in it.

Jenn Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:25 PM EST

Really sick of comic book movies. Give me Terminator.

RobC Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:23 PM EST

Watchmen

Ogreslayer Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:18 PM EST

No contest here. I'm watching the Watchmen.

Mozz Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:18 PM EST

WatchMen

Elizabeth Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:15 PM EST

I would've picked "The Watchmen", but they've covered up the equally-yummy Billy Crudup with a costume so I don't know. I'd probably pick all three.

Dominique Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:07 PM EST

Same order as you, Slezak, though I have read Watchmen and therefore my excitement is probably higher.

Minutiae, your comment about The Spirit is a bit silly: Frank Miller is directing it, and you may (or may not, who knows) remember him as the creator of Sin City, as well as Robert Rodriguez's co-director on the film.

I have pretty much no desire to see the new Terminator flick. Like none. And I'm not even sure why...

Victor Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:06 PM EST

my dearest Slezak,
i, much like your hubby, have been driving my boyfriend crazy by squealing like a little girl whenever anyone or anything mentions the word 'watchmen'..
so there you have my answer..

kisses!

Amelia Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 02:02 PM EST

Watchmen!!!

rebecca Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 01:59 PM EST

Um, Watchmen, no comment. Going into the theater to see Dark Knight I was almost as excited for the Watchmen trailer as I was for the movie itself.

Justin Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 01:58 PM EST

Watchmen, no doubt.

NineDaves.com Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 01:55 PM EST

i'm going for the spirit, but only because i see your malin akerman and raise you one sara paulson.

BrandonK Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 01:54 PM EST

Uh, "Watchmen", for sure...duh...
I'm looking forward to "The Spirit", I think, but I LOVE "Watchmen" the graphic novel and the movie looks good so far.

Minutiae Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 01:49 PM EST

I'll go for Terminator:Salvation. I have absolutely no knowledge of or interest in Watchmen, since I don't care much about comics, and The Spirit frankly doesn't look like anything more than a Sin City wannabe. Give me Christian Bale as badass adult John Connor anyday.


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