I have to admit I never had much interest in Watchmen one way or the other until Zack Snyder was announced as the director. I'm a huge fan of his kinetic style, particularly how far he developed it for 300. So seeing Zack on board was enough to get me interested.

Of course I knew how popular a comic Watchmen is and how reverently some fans treat it. I didn't realize just how much some fans are upset at any minor change Snyder makes, especially when all but a handful of people have actually, you know, seen the finished movie...it's pretty interesting how fans react to a beloved property being translated into another medium. We had the histrionics over Michael Bay putting flames on Optimus Prime and this summers GI Joe revival has others up in arms because Baroness doesn't have the same type of glasses.

I can only imagine what the hardcore Watchmen fans are going to go apeshit over for changes made this time. The current issue of Wired has a great interview with a huge Watchmen fan who notices that Snyder has made some serious changes, including giving the Owlship chainguns. And then there's the change to the ending. Granted I haven't read the comic and will wait the final two weeks until I see the movie before reading the original, but really folks? This much consternation over a giant space squid being removed?

Even with Snyder saying the ending is different and the wonderful Dave Gibbons saying "No squid" at the fantastic NYComicon Watchmen panel some people still seem to be holding out hope that their beloved squid will make a surprise appearance.

For me having gotten to see the first 18 minutes I can say it surpassed any expectation I had. Snyder's signature slow down/speed up style was in full effect and the opening title sequence is nothing short of dazzling. I expect this to be a revolutionary movie that will further mainstream superheroes.

And I can't wait.