a5c7b9f00b A television interview with Hollis Mason, The first Nite-Owl, about his life and the superhero community.
Heh, let me first stress how much I love these kind of viral marketing/kayfabe things. It adds an extra dimension to any film, and should be used more often. Now then...<br/><br/>"Under the Hood" is a mockumentary companion to the film Watchmen. Based on the novel-within-a-comic featured in the graphic novel, this 40-minute documentary, very realistically made, deals with the history of masked vigilantism in the alternate universe of Watchmen. All the key points brought up in the book excerpts in the novel are used, as well as some other background information from the novel.<br/><br/>Staged as an episode of the faux TV show "The Culpepper Minute", this enjoyable little companion piece features interviews with former members of the Minutemen, a masked vigilante organization from the 1940s; chiefly Hollis Mason AKA Nite Owl, writer of the book "Under the Hood", and Sally Jupiter AKA Silk Spectre. Stephen McHattie as Hollis Mason does a great job of being the nostalgic old-timer, and indeed, the only former Minuteman who seemed somehow sympathetic. Aside from this, there are also interviews with Moloch, a retired arch-villain; Bernard, the ever-insightful news vendor; and Wally Weaver, friend of Dr. Manhattan, who does a good job of debating the morality of the superhero.<br/><br/>"Archive footage" of characters from the film are mixed with real events such as the Un-American Activities hearings from the 50's, to great effect. This really does have the appearance of an old documentary. While the short may not be as interesting for everyone, it's still worth a good watch for Watchmen fans.
I'm not a fan of the Watchmen, in fact I'd go as far as to say I really don't like it. I've never understood the appeal, I understand what they were going for but I just don't enjoy it.<br/><br/>Going into this little side piece from the 2009 movie, a 40 minute faux documentary piece I knew it never really stood a chance.<br/><br/>It's created in the form of a news show, a host interviewing the former heroes and looking back at their storied careers.<br/><br/>The fact they got some of the original cast involved is impressive, especially the excellent Carla Gugino and Matt Frewer.<br/><br/>The presentation is great, but this is aimed at fans and only fans.<br/><br/>The Good:<br/><br/>Great cast<br/><br/>The Bad:<br/><br/>I don't see the appeal<br/><br/>More than slightly boring<br/><br/>Things I Learnt From This Short:<br/><br/>Sani Flush cleans inside the bowl!