SPOILER WARNING: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Set in 1985, the tensions between the United States of America and Soviet Union are incredibly high with the threat of an atomic bomb from the Soviet. When Edward Blake (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), also known as The Comedian is killed, former superhero, Rorschach (Jackie Earle Haley) investigates the murder to uncover a plot of an intent to dispose the past and present vigilantes. Along the way, Rorschach reunites with Nite Owl II (Patrick Wilson), Silk Spectre II (Malin Akerman) and Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup).

When these vigilantes attempt to unmask the conspiracy, they only end up in unwanted situation. Dr. Manhattan, a superhero who works for the U.S. government, is made to believe he is the cause of cancer to his former colleagues and ex-girlfriend, which lead him into hiding out in Mars, leaving U.S.’s soil in a great danger as he’s the only one who has the power to stop a possible World War III. Rorschach is set up to look like he has killed Edgar Jacobi (Matt Frewer) or known as Moloch to the vigilantes and is put in the same jail as 50 other criminals which he is responsible for.

Nite Owl II a.k.a. Daniel and Silk Spectre II a.k.a. Laurie decide to go public and help to save people. After saving a group of people from fire, Daniel suggests to Laurie to save Rorschach from the prison.

When they realize that Adrian Veidt (Matthew Goode) is the man behind all the conspiracy, they fly to the Antarctica to arrest Adrian. However, it is too late as Adrian has already activated his time-bomb which wipe out the people in major cities of the world.

The movie is not only rich with visual graphic and sound effects, it is one of the best adapted movies based on comic book. I am also amazed at how the director managed to bring not just one character but so many characters to life.

Overall, even though the movie is dark and complicated, the script for the film is well-written and throughout the entire movie, there are numerous flashback scenes which connect the past with the future. This could as well be the best superhero flick for 2009.

My ratings: 9 out of 10.