The Assassination of Lee Iacocca

Don't expect any extended thoughts from me about Watchmen until after I have seen the film again, and after I've completed reading all volumes of the comic book. I'll need to undertake some serious internal examination of conscience before I can assert without shame, my gut feeling that the film is one of the masterpieces of the 21st century and of the third millenium, save for the trite use of the most obvious pop music hits as ironical counterpoints. (The Times They Are A Changin'', really? Still, can you name another opening credit sequence that matches in scope, ambition and wit?)

A few words though about the "cameo appearance" in the movie of Lee Iacocca, whose consent was not obtained by the filmmakers, and who reportedly is quite displeased over having his film self on the receiving end of a bullet sailing arty slow-mo fashion right between his eyes. Iacocca, now 83, is more or less out of the public eye, but the car executive was a big deal folk hero in 1985. credited with saving Chrysler from doom. In 1985, there was widespread clamor for him to run for the presidency in 1988, and indeed he was one of the featured presidential candidate choices in President Elect: 1988 Edition, one of the very first computer games I owned. 

I had a good chuckle over the Iacocca interlude, thinking, wow Alan Moore had balls when in 1986, he dared depict the murder of one of America's then popular would-be presidents. I have since though skipped over to the pages showing the slay attempt on Adiran Veidt, and true enough, no Mr. Iacocca. All credit then to Snyder/Hayter/Tse, though the choice seems now less bold and more perverse. It still is though in harmony with the film's alternate history, which tries as much as possible to accomodate actual history. (again, those opening credits. Pure glory!)

I would say though that the Veidt assassination sequence in the film is better than it is in the book, as are some other sequences. Perhaps those like me who would have seen the film first before reading the comics may be well-positioned to advance the heresy that the movie is better than the graphic novel. (Giant squid?!)