Blu-Ray Review: ‘Tales of the Black Freighter’ a Great Companion to ‘Watchmen’

BrianTT — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:58:39 -0600

Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s influential graphic novel “Watchmen” may have not made the impact that we all expected it to in theaters, but it is a film and book that still has legions of fans. Fan of the book or the movie or both should take a look at the interesting “Tales of the Black Freighter,” a companion piece that fills in the world of “Watchmen” and is now available on Blu-Ray.

“Tales of the Black Freighter” is the name of a comic book within the world of the “Watchmen” that a young boy is reading throughout the graphic novel. Understandably, the “Freighter” had to be cut from the already over-long film, but director Zack Snyder and one of his writers on the film, Alex Tse, adapted it and turned it into a 26-minute animated film featuring voice work by Gerard Butler (“300”) and Jared Harris (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”).

Tales of the Black Freighter was released on Blu-Ray on March 24th, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers

“Black Freighter” is a highly stylized tale of a pirate trying to get home and save his family before the black freighter beats him to it. With lines like “His head burst as if pressurized by the guilt within,” “Black Freighter” is an old-fashioned pirate tale with an Alan Moore twist.

Tales of the Black Freighter was released on Blu-Ray on March 24th, 2009.
Photo credit: Warner Brothers

“Freighter” served several functions in the graphic novel - breaking up the superhero action of the piece, illustrating the depth of this world in that comics still exist in a world with real caped crusaders, and thematic parallels to the action of the story, particularly the arc of Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias. As a stand-alone story, it’s interesting but not riveting storytelling. It’s truly a companion piece to “Watchmen”.

Directed by Daniel Delpurgatorio and Mike Smith, “Tales From the Black Freighter” undeniably looks amazing. The artwork is loyal to the book but is not merely a motion comics. It’s a beautiful film, especially in HD. What really elevates this “Freighter” is the fantastic voice work by Butler. He should do more.

Another break in the action in the original was Hollis Mason’s “Under the Hood,” a fictional non-fiction book about what it was like to be a superhero back when men started wearing masks. Director Eric Matthies has made a live-action/CGI version about that book with interviews with Mason (Stephen McHattie) and Silk Spectre (Carla Gugino). It’s a little cheesy and doesn’t stand on its own. “Hood” is nearly 50% longer than “Freighter” but the latter is still the draw on this release.

I hope that one day “Black Freighter” and “Under the Hood” are at least available as branching options on the film itself. They could be reinserted as act breaks, like they sort of were in the book, and add depth to a film that was lacking it.

“Tales of the Black Freighter” and “Under the Hood” may not stand on their own but they’re must-sees for fans of the book or movie. As the back of the Blu-Ray case says, “Two fan-essential stories. One place to watch the excitement.”

Special features on the Blu-Ray release include “Story Within a Story: The Books of Watchmen,” “Watchmen Motion Comic Episode 1,” and a first look at DC Universe’s animated “Green Lantern”.

‘Tales of the Black Freighter’ is released by Warner Brothers Home Video and features voice work by Gerard Butler and Jared Harris. It was written by Alex Tse & Zack Snyder and directed by Daniel Delpurgatorio and Mike Smith. It was released on March 24th, 2009. It is rated R.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

‘Watchmen’ at Chicago’s Navy Pier IMAX Adds Morning Screening on March 6, 2009

HollywoodChicago.com — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:22:30 -0700

CHICAGO – If you’re like many others who crave braving the opening-day crowds to see the highly anticipated new “Watchmen” film, HollywoodChicago.com has learned that Chicago’s Navy Pier IMAX theatre has just added one additional screening at 7 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2009. Chicago moviegoers could even catch the flick and make it to work by 10 a.m.

“Watchmen,” which is a movie adaptation of one of the most celebrated graphic novels of our time, stars Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino, Matt Frewer, Laura Mennell, Stephen McHattie, Rob LaBelle, Gary Houston, James M. Connor and Mary Ann Burger from “300” director Zack Snyder.

Opening weekend will begin with a sold-out screening at midnight on Friday, March 6, 2009 (i.e. late Thursday night on March 5, 2009). IMAX tickets for opening weekend – including the newly added 7 a.m. screening – are now on sale. Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors and $13 for children. They are available at the Navy Pier IMAX theatre box office at 700 E. Grand Ave. or online here.

The “Watchmen” ensemble.
Image credit: Warner Bros.

“The film and story are so detailed,” said “Watchmen” director Zack Snyder in a Tuesday statement. “The minutiae of its setting and characters are integral to the film. Seeing the film presented in IMAX will allow audiences to be fully immersed in the world of ‘Watchmen’.”

Here is the “Watchmen” plot description (source):

In a gritty and alternate 1985, the glory days of costumed vigilantes have been brought to a close by a government crackdown. After one of the masked veterans is brutally murdered, though, an investigation into the killer is initiated.

The reunited heroes set out to prevent their own destruction, but in doing so, they discover a deeper and much more diabolical plot.

Before “Watchmen” opens, Chicagoans have one last chance to see “The Dark Knight” in IMAX. Featuring the Oscar-winning performance by the late Heath Ledger, “The Dark Knight” was originally released in July 2008. “The Dark Knight” will be screened for the final time in Chicago on Thursday, March 5, 2009. Tickets are now available now for the final days of “The Dark Knight”.

See our 26-image “Watchmen” slideshow of world-premiere arrivals.
See our 26-image “Watchmen” slideshow (part one).
See our 26-image “Watchmen” slideshow (part two).
Read more “Watchmen” coverage on HollywoodChicago.com.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com