V for Vendetta (2006)

"Remember, remember the fifth of November," for on this day, in 2020, the minds of the masses shall be set free. So says code-name V (Hugo Weaving), a man on a mission to shake society out of its blank complacent stares in the film V for Vendetta. His tactics, however, are a bit revolutionary, to say the least. The world in which V lives is very similar to Orwell's totalitarian dystopia in 1984: after years of various wars, England is now under "big brother" Chancellor Adam Sutler (played by John Hurt, who played Winston Smith in the movie 1984), whose party uses force and fear to run the nation. After they gained power, minorities and political dissenters were rounded up and removed; artistic and unacceptable religious works were confiscated. Cameras and microphones are littered throughout the land, and the people are perpetually sedated through the governmentally controlled media. Taking inspiration from Guy Fawkes, the 17th century co-conspirator of a failed attempt to blow up Parliament on November 5, 1605, V dons a Fawkes mask and costume and sets off to wake the masses by destroying the symbols of their oppressors, literally and figuratively. At the beginning of his vendetta, V rescues Evey (Natalie Portman) from a group of police officers and has her live with him in his underworld lair. It is through their relationship where we learn how V became V, the extremities of the party's corruption, the problems of an oppressive government, V's revenge plot, and his philosophy on how to induce change.

Based on the popular graphic novel by Alan Moore, V for Vendetta's screenplay was written by the Wachowski brothers (of The Matrix fame) and directed by their protégé, James McTeigue. Controversy and criticism followed the film since its inception, from the hyper-stylized use of anarchistic terrorism to overthrow a corrupt government and the blatant jabs at the current U.S. political arena, to graphic novel fans complaining about the reconstruction of Alan Moore's original vision (Moore himself has dismissed the film). Many are valid critiques and opinions, but there's no hiding the message the film is trying to express: Radical and drastic events often need to occur in order to shake people out of their state of indifference in order to bring about real change. Unfortunately, the movie only offers a means with no ends, and those looking for answers may find the film stylish, but a bit empty. --Rob Bracco

Beyond Vendetta

The graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd	More by Alan Moore	From Graphic Novel to Big Screen
More by Natalie Portman	More by Hugo Weaving	More by the Wachowski Brothers

Amazon.com

3 stars out of 4

The Bottom Line:

Even after multiple viewings I cannot deny that V for Vendetta has serious flaws--the scenes with Natalie Portman and V don't really click--but the film has scenes of such power and skill that it lingers in the memory far more than more accomplished but less ambitious movies. January 4, 2009

V for Vacuous politics

Let me say two things about this before I get started. First, I have never read the comics, so nothing about them biased my view towards this film in any way. Second, while my rating may be low, I didn't totally see this movie as worthless, let me explain.

First the somewhat good...

This movie is as entertaining to me as simiar movies in the same genre. For example, Equilibrium, a very simillar film in almost every way possible, gave me about the same entertainment level as this film. The fight scenes were nothing great but they weren't a drudgery either. The acting was only standard in my opinion, they only exception being John Hurt's portrayl of Adam Sutler. Basically as far as most of the surface things go with this film, I have no real problem with it, but on the same token I don't really see it as great, just average.

The real problem I have with this movie and the simillar Equilibrium is the overall message. Characters like V and Cleric Preston, underline a general misconception and problem I have with contemporary political thought. They idea that in any governed body all it takes is some political messiah to come in and save everyone and inform them about what is wrong with said governing body, is both stupid and complacentcy causing. Not to mention the fact, that it blatantly insults the very people watching by assuming most of them would be herd like and complacent in such a dystopia in order for the need to be saved to come about. They answer isn't magically strong characters like V or any type of political leader at all, its regular people and personal responsibility. Whether the world be fact or fiction, waiting for a savior while you could be taking actions on your own is just stupid.

That is why I cant support this movie with anything other than one star because its message is both tired and more importantly wrong. January 1, 2009

Blueray is the Bomb

Great movie that was spectacular re-watching on a bluray player in HD 1080P. Highly recommend this seller they were fantastic. Product reached me quickly December 27, 2008

The Revolution

This is an awesome movie, based on a true story, only the original outcome for Guy Faux wasn't quite so spectacular, It COULD have been, but they found the expolosives back then. Keep in mind whats happening worldwide, and remember,,,,,,,,, December 1, 2008

It's Bad

An all-around dreadful film. Terrible dialogue, subpar acting, wrapped in a story filled with absurd, juvenile politics with obvious and obligatory nods to the present-day "War on Terror" for easily amused critics to fawn over. Provoked no emotional or visceral reaction from me, other than laughter at its banality, and when it ended, astonishment at how such garbage could be so widely praised. If you're out of high school, and like good films, pass on this. November 24, 2008

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