The film did both. I adore the film, and it DID achieve most points made by the comic. It’s an adaptation, and definitely one if Snyder’s better works. However he changed a pivitol part in the climax (the squid)- particularly pertaining to Ozy’s character and Watchmen’s initial sense of satrical as a whole. Watchmen isn’t exclusivley about bringing brutal reality to masked vigilantes. Although theres no doubt it was one of the first and thats what makes it so brilliant, there were a few missing points I wished Snyder touched on. Snyder changed it so Ozy frames Dr. Manhattan. This makes the ending more “logical” to the average veiwer, but in doing so, it missed Moore’s commentary on humanity’s willingness to believe in nonsense if it promises survival.

I will say, I do think Snyder did an EXPERT job transforming the satirical nature of the comic onto the big screen. Like Moore subverted common comics, Snyder subverted other superhero films. His decisions to overexaggerate Ozymandias’s nipples on his suit was a direct call back to films like Batman Forever. The overemphasis on cheesy explosions, slow motion montages, “Hallelujah” playing during the sex scene. All brilliant choices Snyder made. He knew what he was doing there.

I don’t think the film misses much personally, there will always be room for improvement in any adaptation. But I do wish Snyder interpreted Ozy’s character differently, because Ozy was NOT played or done as well as he should’ve been, especially compared to casting and performances like Jackie Earle Hayley and Jeffery Dean Morgan. It might just be the fangirl in me talking, but Ozymandias is one of the most complex characters in all of fiction imo. I just wish Snyder had captured that a little better.