Jim sends a report concerning preview of "WATCHMEN"

I am herewith transmitting a report provided by an associate concerning yesterday’s advance preview in Chicago of the highly anticipated film “WATCHMEN”.

Overall, it came across as a badly “MIS-MANAGED” event: Passes were offered thru at least 2 different major venues (a newspaper, a mobile phone-services operation, etc.), & it was clear from the huge number of people in line that it was vastly OVERBOOKED for the one theater being used. Compared to the “typical” crowd for such previews, there were far more “20-something” people in line than usual (probably largely due to the graphic – novel / comic book appeal of the subject)…

… Normally, there are 2 or 3 rows taped off inside the theater as “Reserved” for the Press & special guests— but like 6 rows were blocked off for this (leaving less room than usual for the “regular” public). The 163 minute film was to start at a comparatively late 8 PM— but supposedly due to a problem getting the film PRINT in, it didn’t start until like 9 PM (making for a very late nite). It was especially disappointing that there was very little clear COMMUNICATION with the audience about the various problems (re the delays, etc.). My associate was impressed by the SPECIAL EFFECTS in the film— but wasn’t especially overwhelmed by the movie as a whole…