V for Vendetta (2006)

A FANTATIC PIECE OF ART!

A must-buy for those Matrix fans as the idea of the two movies revolve around anti-government and anti fear & emotion slavery, as in the Matrix man is a slave for what he thinks he feels and see, and in V4V people are controlled by fear, religion and media. What makes this movie the 2nd best movie I've ever seen is the fact that it was very very very well done in a very very very smart story that thins adrenaline in everyone that believes what we live now is a hoax made by governments to deceive people and have the ruled the way the government wants.

A MUST BUY (not only watch). You'll be watching it over and over and over again!

Hope people would learn from such movie how to get their freedom, not necessarily by violent but by being free from fears and able to take decisions by themselves and reason, not by fear and illusions. October 5, 2008

One of the greatest movies I have ever seen

Having not read the graphic novel on which this movie is based, I cannot (and would not) debate the faithfulness of the adaptation or its relative worth. I also cannot divine what the Wachowski brothers' intent or motivations might have been, especially regarding the current political climate. I can only relate what I witnessed and experienced from the film alone as an isolated piece of art, and it was good... profoundly so.

The film does not dabble with subtleties or nuances. The regime in charge of Britain is clearly oppressive. However they came to power and whatever their motivations (and the film ultimately reveals the back story), it is clear that they rejoice in their complete authority and enthusiastically abuse it. The field agents or Fingermen violate the citizenry; the televised face of the nation self-righteously revels in the judgment heaped upon other nations spewing smug vitriol; the religious leaders fulfill their carnal desires; the communications ministry controls all programming twisting the news to its own ends while eavesdropping on the general population; the Chancellor clearly rules through fear and with an iron fist. Dissidents are quickly and quietly disposed of through violent means. Free thought does not exist. This is an archetypal oppressive evil regime.

V is the faceless archetypal hero. Happily he remains faceless for the duration of the movie. His mask is all we see. The lifeless mask allows for his thoughts and ideas to be the focus rather than his individuality. His appeal is not so much for how he handles a fight and a blade, though impressive; his true weapon is speech. Eloquent and literate, he expresses ideas that cut straight to the heart (the people should not fear their government, but the government should fear its people). Suspend belief for a period and watch as he shakes a sleeping nation. He chastises the citizens as the true culprits that have allowed the current state of affairs. Then he provides a means and inspiration to do something about it. We see the cowardly and zombie-like nation slowly awaken and climactically throw off its oppressor.

This is not a "how-to" tool for overthrowing a dictatorship. Nor is it in my opinion a scathing indictment of any administration or specific political landscape in the first decade of the 21st century (though it will make you think about some things). Its power is in the universality of the tale. It resonates because it does not have to be political at all. It is about people and oppression and anyone finally standing up to throw off tyranny in any of its forms by whatever means. Certainly violence works well for a movie and to dramatically represent the point. But do not lock the greater meaning and power of the message into its form. Speaking of its universality, I was very much reminded of the musical Les Miserables (precursor to the French Revolution).

The cinematography is phenomenal with its stark colorization; it is a visually stunning film. The action is entertaining. A more rousing tune than the 1812 Overture cannot be found. The film slows slightly while providing some back story, but it is necessary to fully inform the narrative. From start to finish, it is just a remarkable achievement. October 4, 2008

One of the greatest movies ever made!

Voila! V for Vendetta is a very powerful film with vile villains and veritable vigilante, and a great script! View it. (And see how many times you see the letter V or number 5.) October 4, 2008

V for spectacular

Not only is the BD a pleasure to watch, but listen to as well. Deep, vibrant color, crisp picture and solid blacks. Hugo Weaving is mesmerizing, and Natalie Portman will have you convinced she's truly converted by the end of the picture. 5 stars! October 4, 2008

GREAT MOVIE, EXCELLENt for Blu Ray

Loved the movie. love it on blu ray!! The visuals are varied and this is the type of movie worthy of being on blu ray. It is now more entertaining to stay at home w/ 7.1 surround sound and a good blu ray movie than it is going to the theater...far better visuals and as good or better sound at home !!
Definitely worth buying if you have the set up. October 3, 2008

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