10 Hilariously One-Sided Movie Duels

3. The Comedian Vs. Masked Assailant (Watchmen)

I have never read this graphic novel, nor had I heard about it prior to the release of Watchmen. So while I am aware that many readers €“ and the author himself €“ did not like it, the movie was all I had to go on. So when it opened with this unholy ass-kicking I was hooked straight away and then captivated by the story until the very end. I actually think this may have been my favourite movie of 2009 and this fight was the beginning. The Comedian, retired superhero and as it turns out, gigantic amoral asswipe, is attacked in a hotel room by a mystery assailant who's stronger, faster and harder than he is. It is outright alarming to watch this. We know the Comedian is a man who can handle himself and has speed and strength of almost superhuman proportions. So seeing him thrown across the room and his punches easily evaded is incredible. His attacker dodges thrown blades and blocks every punch. The Comedian doesn€™t land a single meaningful blow and by the end of the brawl is hurled out of the window, landing several storeys on the ground below. Dead. It's made all the weirder, yet strangely more impactful, by Nat King Cole's Unforgettable playing in the background. Blood is spilled €“ iconically on his smiley-face badge €“ his teeth are knocked out and his face swells to twice its normal size. He€™s laughing right until the end but there€™s nothing funny about watching him get taken apart, defenceless throughout.