Walter is Rorschach (http://lostmoya.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/rorschach-watchmen.jpg). Oops, bit of a spoiler there. Now you know what he looks like underneath the mask. You find that out halfway through the movie and book. He's supposed to be super ugly, but the actor who plays him (Jackie Earl Haley) looks downright beautiful in some of those scenes. However, he also looks very much like Walter Kovacs (Rorschach). Walter is his real name; Rorschach is the name he took when he became a vigilante.
I think you'd love Watchmen whether you read the book first or see the movie first. They are both great, though the book has so much more depth and little nuances in it. It's not really a superhero story. These are real people without superpowers. They're just vigilantes that have taken crime fighting into their own hands. Of course, there is one guy (Dr. Manhattan) who really does have powers beyond a human, but they are explained. He wasn't just born with them.
I just love Rorschach because he's so damaged. He's messed up and screwed in the head, but he has these high standards for himself and everyone else. He's conservative because his childhood was anything but conservative, and he detests most of humanity for its weakness and depravity. He fits the vigilante profile to a T. If you commit a serious crime, then he will execute you. There is no gray area. One of my favorite parts is when he discovers a man who has killed a little girl. The man admits to the deed and tells Rorschach to go ahead and take him to jail. Rorschach looks down at him and says, "Men go to jail, dogs are put down." And then he slams a hatchet into the guy's head and kills him. That sums up Rorschach. He's an absolutist. You did it, you face the consequences. He has very little to no empathy and he buries his emotions.
Anyway, let me know whenever you get a chance to see it. I think you'll love it.
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Date: 2009-04-03 05:16 am (UTC)I think you'd love Watchmen whether you read the book first or see the movie first. They are both great, though the book has so much more depth and little nuances in it. It's not really a superhero story. These are real people without superpowers. They're just vigilantes that have taken crime fighting into their own hands. Of course, there is one guy (Dr. Manhattan) who really does have powers beyond a human, but they are explained. He wasn't just born with them.
I just love Rorschach because he's so damaged. He's messed up and screwed in the head, but he has these high standards for himself and everyone else. He's conservative because his childhood was anything but conservative, and he detests most of humanity for its weakness and depravity. He fits the vigilante profile to a T. If you commit a serious crime, then he will execute you. There is no gray area. One of my favorite parts is when he discovers a man who has killed a little girl. The man admits to the deed and tells Rorschach to go ahead and take him to jail. Rorschach looks down at him and says, "Men go to jail, dogs are put down." And then he slams a hatchet into the guy's head and kills him. That sums up Rorschach. He's an absolutist. You did it, you face the consequences. He has very little to no empathy and he buries his emotions.
Anyway, let me know whenever you get a chance to see it. I think you'll love it.