And so here we are. After 20 years of being branded ‘unfilmable’, an abandoned 1990’s adaptation (Robin Williams as Rorschach anyone?), and a huge court case between Warner Bros and Fox, we finally get to see a big screen version of the Alan Moore/ Dave Gibbons cult classic.

First, some (very brief) background. Watchmen is set in an alternate 1980’s New York, where Nixon is still in office and America won the Vietnam War. Both that war, and domestic order, had been won by a group of masked vigilantes know as 'The Watchmen', successors of their 40’s counterparts ‘The Minutemen’. Having been vilified and outlawed by the president for several years, and with the US on the brink of nuclear war with the USSR, the main plot of the movie surrounds the murder of ‘The Comedian’ (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a former member of both ‘The Minutemen’ and ‘The Watchmen’. Convinced this is the beginning of a plot to kill all vigilantes, fellow Watchman Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) investigates the murder, attempting in vain to recruit former members Nite Owl (Patrick Wilson), Silk Spectre (Malin Akerman), and the god-like superhero Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup). As he investigates further, he uncovers a horrifying conspiracy that effects the fate of the entire world.

If that sounds detailed, you aint seen nothing yet. Fans of the graphic novel will be at a distinct advantage, as much of the central plot depends on knowing the back-story. Luckily, Warners hired one of the best visual directors in the game in ‘300’ helmer Zack Snyder, and from the film’s absolutely beautiful opening montage you can tell this is a film made with absolute affection for the story. For newcomers, this will be a big shock. Murder, violence and sexual abuse are par for the course as this dark tale has much more in common with a noir thriller than it does with a summer blockbuster. It may deviate in some areas from the source material, but it keeps the soul of what ‘Watchmen’ is supposed to be.

Casting virtual unknowns in the main parts is both a Snyder hallmark and a necessary requirement- having a big name would have distracted from the story, and luckily the cast has been chosen well. Crudup has always been a very underrated actor, and as Dr. Manhattan, a blue superman whose vast power has meant he becomes more and more detached from reality, he is fantastic. Likewise Akerman and Wilson, who become closer through their longing for their old adventures, but the biggest praise must be saved for Morgan and Haley. The former plays ‘The Comedian’ as charismatic and diabolical, while Haley’s unhinged Rorschach provides some of the best scenes in the film.

Fans will make their own minds up, and it’s certainly not for the Spider-man crowd, but Snyder brutal, bloody and bleak piece should please most through the sleekness and quality of its execution.