KryptonSite's DVD Review Column #10: Watchmen: Tales Of The Black Freighter
Reviewed by Craig Byrne
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Read previous installments of the KryptonSite DVD Column:
#1 (10/08) Legion of Super-Heroes Vol. 3 & Supernatural Season 3
#2 (10/08) Doctor Who: The Brain Of Morbius, Trial Of A Time Lord, & The Sarah Jane Adventures
#3 (11/08) Doctor Who: The Complete Fourth Series
#4 (11/08) Primeval: The Complete Series 1 and 2
#5 (1/09) Doctor Who: War Machines & Four To Doomsday
#6 (1/09) The All-New Superfriends Hour: Volume 2
#7 (3/09) Wonder Woman: The Animated Original Movie
#8 (3/09) Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic
#9 (3/09) Doctor Who: the Key to Time Special Edition

Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter
Warner Home Video
Featuring Gerard Butler, Jared Harris, Carla Gugino, Matt Frewer, Stephen McHattie, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Release Date: March 24, 2009

Continuing to ride the wave of the recent theatrical release of Watchmen, Warner Home Video's Warner Premiere arm has also released a tie-in DVD called Tales Of The Black Freighter. This DVD - featuring tales first told in Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons' classic graphic novel - is intended to illuminate parts of the world of the Watchmen.

For starters, let me get this out of the way - some of the features on this DVD are quite cool. However, they would be just as welcome on the inevitable DVD release of the film. It's like watching a DVD full of extras and special features... and if you're a huge fan and can't wait, maybe this is for you. Unlike the recent Motion Comic, this at least provides with brand new material.

Of that new material, I'm going to start with the best part. Not only does this DVD include the animated Tales of the Black Freighter; it also includes the superior Under The Hood - a mock "talk show" from the 1985 world of Watchmen interviewing the original Nite-Owl, Hollis Mason (Stephen McHattie).

These interviews are so much fun and give us a look at the characters from a further perspective. It almost feels like you're watching extra footage from the movie. My favorite part, of course, is seeing Carla Gugino as Sally Jupiter in the 1970's. She's not as young looking as she was in the original movie flashbacks, nor is she as old looking as she was in 1985. Great make-up work. But beyond that, it fleshes out the characters more, and in the case of the first Nite-Owl, it gives us more of a look to get to know the character. Extraordinary attention to detail to make it look like a genuine 1985 broadcast is used, right up to faux 1985 commercials. I also loved seeing some background into Moloch, a villain seen in the film.

Unfortunately, the main feature, Tales Of The Black Freighter, I wasn't really feeling. Some have said it requires multiple viewings or reading; me, I admit - I was bored. The animation was excellent as was the voice work, but when I think Watchmen, I think of the characters and heroes within; not really this. While Under The Hood has a lot of rewatchability, this probably won't be worth another look to me.

It is said that one of the final DVD releases of Watchmen may incorporate the Black Freighter story seamlessly into the movie; if that happens, and if it makes sense, more power to them - maybe that's how it should be seen.

Finally, there's a featurette talking about the "story within a story" of Watchmen in which some very cool folks like Jeanette Kahn, Len Wein, Paul Levitz, and Gregory Noveck talk about the "extras" within the original Watchmen published series and how those translate to what was seen in the movie and on the DVD. I really thought that was well done, and it may be the first time I've ever seen an interview with Ms. Kahn!

So, my final verdict? Black Freighter itself scores a low 2 out of 5 stars; Under The Hood gets 5/5, as does the Story Within A Story featurette... so ultimately, you get your money's worth, especially if you're a Watchmen fan. Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter is available to order online or to get in stores where you can buy DVD's on Tuesday, March 24. It is available on Blu-Ray, DVD, and On Demand. Order your copy of Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter and support KryptonSite!

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