I thought the movie was awesome, but still didn't hold a candle to the graphic novel. I felt like they left out a few details that would have made it more impactful (I wish they would've mentioned how Dr. Manhattan knew JFK was going to get shot but didn't do anything about it, because that was one of the main reasons Janey left him), but the majority of the movie was amazing. Rorschach was the best he could possibly be, and his voice was perfect. I also loved how they got that awkward handshake between Rorschach and Nite Owl absolutely perfect, showing just how much of a social outcast he is. It was hard to believe that Dan Dreiberg aka Nite Owl was being played by that protagonist in Lakeview Terrace, but he did an amazing job, too. In fact, mostly all of the actors fit their roles perfectly (though Veidt was a lot scrawnier than he was in the book).
There's pretty mixed opinion of the movie. Some love it, others hate it (Always the sign of an excellent movie, in my opinion). My parents went to see it after I did and told them how awesome it was, though they were somewhere in the middle, thinking it was rather strange (Though I can''t really blame them; Nite Owl's dream isn't exactly what you'd call normal, unless you think rubber costumes are kinky). This raises a question in my mind; without knowing all that we know from the graphic novel, are some parts lost to people?
Anyway, it's absolutely spectacular. Blu-Ray purchase on day one.

I believe this may well be the case. Judging from what I've read on other forums, it appears people who haven't read the graphic novel/comic series can be a bit lost.
I just finished re-reading it (after not having read it since it was originally published) last night. I'm very much looking forward to seeing the movie. Probably have to wait until next weekend though.

I'll probably go see it tomorrow. I actually finished re-reading the graphic novel for the umpteenth time yesterday and my wife, who has never really read a comic, is almost done with it. As soon as she is finished, we'll be seeing it.

I didn't expect the movie to be good, but it is. While Watchmen is more enjoyable as a comic (or graphic novel, whatever you wanna call it), the movie is very good.
Also, the initial credits are awesome.

I hope it's great. The cinema in our downtown district is showing it next week, and I can't wait. Watchman is one of those comic series that you think is really dumb, but it's deep. And very badass.

Definitely an excellent movie. However people should read the comic book before seeing it.

Not at all. I've never read the comic and I enjoyed the movie. Though that fact the envitable nudity was mostly male was a tad different.
Speaking of Book first Movie second... I watched Eragon and enjoyed it. I read the book and saw how completely and utterly different it was. i would have hated the movie if I read the book first.
Karl

So what would you guys recommend to do first for someone who didn't read the comic nor see the film?

Read the comic first. A lot of background info is to be had in the comics that you won't be able to find in the film.

I have yet to see it (probably i'll go tomorrow or tuesday), and I honestly can't wait, since I'm a huge fan of the comic book.
However, don't you find it wierd how it has been received by critics?
Just take a look at the metacritic page of the movie. The reviews range from perfect to awful, how is that possible?
Maybe it's the sign of a great movie to generate such diverse opinions (like TheCheese said). Still, this leaves me quite baffled.

I didn't wath the movie but I played it's game and it is terrible and short. :S

The reviews I've seen that are positive tend to be from people who have read the book, or that say that the film is true to the book.
I bought it a couple of weeks back and finished it on friday, so now I just need to see the film.
The book was pretty awesome, even with the bizarre ending.
I found it funny that so much of it was relevant even over twenty years on.

I haven't watched it yet but i did see V for Vendetta before i read the novel and the novel was so much better...!

I have no intent on watching this silly movie.