-
Website
http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/ -
Original page
http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/features/in-depth-discussion-how-violent-does-a-pivotal-watchmen-scene-really-need-to-be.php -
Subscribe
All Comments -
Community
-
-
Top Commenters
-
Popular Threads
I'm still finding filming for a day at a time draining, I can't imagine spending three days to get a pivotal scene just right. So I can easily imagine that all of this talk is about it being done almost exactly as it was in the comic.
Until I actually see it on the screen, I won't pass judgment on it or speculate. It could go either way. Of course, if they made it more violent or more explicit then it's pretty much unnecessary and on this side of glorification of a heinous act. But I don't know that I think they did.
Agreed!
If they stuck to the comics depiction it will be fine.
Anything added for shits and giggles would be wrong..
From the stills, it looks like The Comedian is being creepy and Sally Jupiter is looking gruff and vulnerable all at once for the scene. No doubt it was a tough scene to film. For both sides.
Makes me sick just thinking about it.
If they reveal less of the rape, then they are playing an important emotional event down and yet if they made it very powerful (in complete darkness with just her screams) then you would never be able to accept why Silk Spectre forgave (?) him.
I'm glad it's not my call.
But yeah, while I could agree for most of the comic, looking at this scene specifically here on this page, I think it's very cinematic and already spot on and ready to be considered a storyboard.
Ghuuchh.
One thing to note is that the Ozy/Blake fight (shown to the press last year) in the film is much longer than it is in the book. Hopefully Snyder is not actually making this scene any longer or explicit than it has to be.
Sidenote: Yes, of course, I've made a sexual partner make that noise. If you haven't, you're doing it wrong.
Shades of MPAA's influence on display here folks.
So there's a rape scene ? Big fricken deal! There's also scenes of people getting burned alive, thrown off buildings, pregnant women getting shot, Vc's exploding on contact, nukes going off, kids getting abused, and even more violent acts , but let's talk about the rape scene as that's what's going to scar adults over 18,,,,,,,,,,,,,, rape or death,? hmm I'll take rape Alex for $500.
priorities are so fucked up in this world, this article is a perfect example.
Anyone remember the rape scene in Robocop? Still haunts me after all these years,,,,, not.
First off, why is this news? This must be a slow news day. At least there was a little levity in the post, it's saving grace. Here is what I'm thinking. The movie seems to be in capable hands. Everything we've seen so far has looked pretty good. I trust Zack Snyder's judgement 100% However he ends up doing the scene, I think it will be okay. Certainly nothing to freak out over. It is just a movie. Movies depict horrible things all the time, yet we don't get this reaction to those films. The Saw franchise depicts some of the most disgusting, gruesome, nasty and violent acts ever imaginable. Certainly worse than this scene will end up being. How bout we get all up in arms about that.
Now do I believe that Snyder will make this longer than it was in the comic? No. He is clearly trying hard to keep the film as close to the source material as possible, so I think we won't have to worry. That's not to say I know for certain, but it's a reasonable answer, and the most probable scenario. IF he does make it longer than it has to be, sure, it'd be wrong. It would be classless and it would be stupid. But why? Why do that? Is it supposed to add some sort of drama? Is it going to make it edgy? I don't think that is the case either. The film is going to have plenty of drama, anyone who has read the Graphic Novel could tell you that. And the same goes for the edginess. It doesn't need any of that. So that's what I think will more than likely be the case. Only as long as it has to be.
About the issue of rape even being depicted in this film, regardless of how it's done: This movie is a comic movie. It's based in a fantasy world, depicting events that can't happen. So everything in it should be taken with a grain of salt. Just remember that it's only fantasy, and try to enjoy the damn movie. Now, rape is a very real crime, one that takes place way too frequently, but still, it's a reality that we have to live with. Real life rape, that's something to be upset about. But a couple of seconds in some comic book movie that doesn't even get too into the worst parts of the dispicable act, come on. It could be WAAAYYY worse.
I understand that there is some concern by parents that kids seeing something like that, in a movie about heroes that kids are bound to emulate, it could send the wrong message. Guess what?!? Don't let your kids see the movie. If you are serious about it, you can prevent them from seeing it. I am a parent too. My kids will not see this movie. Problem solved. Their little minds aren't going to be tainted by this two seconds of suggested rape.
There's my 2 cents. Sorry it's a little long winded. Hope I didn't offend too much. Bottom line is I think we all just need to relax.
Thanks for the long-winded response (I kid!) and no offense taken. The title of the piece is "Discuss" and this is exactly what I was hoping for. I do have a couple quick responses to some of your points.
I assume you read the whole post, so I think you know that I asked the very same question you did regarding why this is news. It isn't really, although it was posted at MTV, iO9, and elsewhere. But it did raise two questions for me that I tried to get across in the piece.
First, are quotes like Morgan's doing anything aside from stating the obvious? Maybe saying "Yay for our violent rape scene! Look how edgy we are!" which to me is simply glorifying a "cool" comic book rape scene. You agree that IF Snyder made it longer than it needs to be then it'd be a mistake... so we agree there.
Second, and more importantly, I wondered if the scene might damage the story and character arc. The viewer will need to understand Sally's actions later on when it's revealed she had a loving relationship with her attacker. In the comic the assault is a few non-explicit panels, but a few minutes of onscreen brutality less than an hour before we're asked to see The Comedian in a better light may not work for many in the audience. That's the power of both rape and cinema. It's a different medium than comics and cause/effect will differ accordingly.
Thanks for chiming in, and here's your two cents back.
I did read it, I understand what you were going for, I do the same thing on some of my stories. You are just posing a question to the reader, inspiring this exact type of debate. I didn't really intend my comments to be directed to you so much as I was putting them out there in anticipation of backlash from all of this by people who would have a tendency to over react. Sorry I couldn't convey that enough. I did like the post.
I agree with your first point completely. IF Snyder did anything extra with the scene, it would be a mistake. I just really don't think that he will.
On your second point, which I admit I failed to address in my comment: It is clearly a legitimate concern for sure, you are right. But I don't think that it will be too negative in regards to character and story. I don't think that it matters what light everyone sees the comedian in. Surely there will be some people who would feel the way you are suggesting they will. You simply can't argue against that. But I think there will also be more than enough people in the theater that won't be affected that way. Ultimately I don't think it will ruin the movie or the success of the movie, unless like you and I both agreed, that Snyder does go overboard.
Ultimately I just don't think it will be an issue unless Snyder clearly does go overboard, and I really don't think he will. It is hard for me to imagine a scenario where he would think that would be good for the movie, or for his career. More than anything else, I just want to squash any uproar that this may cause, because I really think it's too early for anyone to get upset. I know you are not leaning too far in any direction, and you just are posing the question. And I just am posing my response: Try not to over-react people! Just wait and see. If you don't like it, then don't see it. But I don't think anyone should freak out and start picketing or protesting, because worse things have happened in movies.
Again, this is not so much directed at you for posing the question. Its more for the people who would read this and go "Rape!?! Rargh! GRRR!!!" I do appreciate you addressing my points. Hopefully I have clarified a bit. I look forward to future debates with you, good sir!
Most people won't dwell on this scene after they have watched the Watchmen.
But hey go with it,,,
Screen Rant ran the same post.