The movie “Watchmen” is a pretty rambling mess. I didn’t read the graphic novel, but I understand that it’s long and rambly too (which is why I didn’t read it) and that there is simply too much content to try to shove into a movie. Still, though, I felt there was about an hour of film that could have been left on the editing floor — in particular, most of the prison scene and the gratuitous full nude sex scene. I will give the movie credit for being really pretty and recommend it only for that. Also, the overall story is a very good moral tale that reminded me of “Code Geass: The Lelouch Rebellion”
Now some warnings to anyone thinking of taking their kids to this movie:
- The gore this movie is very intense in terms of content and theme. There were scenes in this movie that made me nauseous.
- There is gratuitous full nude sex scene in this movie
- Dr. Manhattan walks around without his undies A LOT, so there a rendered full frontal shoots of him and his man parts.
I’m surprised this movie wasn’t rated NC17.
More Rambling 
Really? The gore made you nauseous? All of the violence was done over the top to achieve the comic-book feel. NC-17? Give me a break.
Herculesrob, thanks for your comment :). I realize that was the intent of the gore, but people have different tolerance levels. My tolerance level for actual animation gore is quite high. However, my tolerance for live action gore is very low. As for the NC-17, this would be based on sexual content.
I believe it goes like this:
nip-slip = PG13
female frontal nudity = R
male frontal nudity = NC17 or X
Yeah, I don’t believe it actually goes like that lol. Or in that case every other Judd Apatow comedy would be rated NC-17.
Haha!!! umm … no comments about Judd Apatow movies, though, I have yet to see full frontal man parts in any of them at the theater (I haven’t experienced the “unrated” versions — I imagine they are unrated on DVD because they would get slapped with an NC-17 if that version were in the theaters). But for folks who want more info on the MPAA rating system, here’s a link:
http://www.mpaa.org/FlmRat_Ratings.asp
The wording is vague, but I think what I’ve stated above is the general rule-of-thumb when it comes to sex. Violence is a slippery thing and seems to be based on context — people say a “soft R” or a “hard R”
Personally, I think they should make more use of the NC-17 rating, so people understand what is not appropriate for children or so people understand that the movie is meant for adults — and I don’t mean in terms of sex and violence. I’m suggesting something more subtle like the general theme of a movie. There shouldn’t be a stigma attached to an NC-17 rating.
Again, thank you Herculerob for your comments :). I take it you really enjoy movies. I hope to hear from you more about other movies we see and write about :).
@Herculerob: I didn’t see “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” so I was unaware of the full frontal man parts scene in that movie. According to what I’ve heard on “Fresh Air,” man parts can get an R if they are flaccid.