V for Vendetta [2006]

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 protege 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 US 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

The USA has erupted in civil war. The previously most powerul nation on earth has collapsed and begs Britain for aid. Britain, on the other hand, has emerged as a dictatorship run by a Conservative chancellor. Every matter of 'security' within Britain is done for the 'protection of the citizens'. There is something very wrong with Britain, but no one knows quite what it is.

No one, except V. We never find out V's real name, or in fact anything about him. We never see his face but we do know his philosophy. That the people should not be afraid of their government, the government should be afraid of its people. Guy Fawkes knew it, and died for his beliefs. V is merely trying to free the people from the hold of the government.

On November 5th, he takes control of the British Television Netwok and broadcsts his message. One year from now, the people should unite and meet in parliament square and show the government that they want change. They do not want a dictatorship.

V's transmission causes gradual chaos....and exactly one year on, Novemberr 5th, the plan will arrive at its explosive climax....or will it...?

The cast in this film are incredible. Who can argue with John Hurt as the chancellor? We only really see his face and huge screens or TV as he projects his message to the people. Stephen Fry also appears as a BTN presenter who protects the heroine of the film.

Hugo Weaving, is as always, cast perfecly as the elusive yet fascinating V. He posesses outstanding fighting and knife skils and well as a mysterious background. A background we are never fully told about, although we can piece together clues from flashback of V's life and what he tells Evie (Natalie Portman). V is a good character, who hides behind a Guy Fawkes mask for the whole film. His methods are twisted in some instances but in others, his compassion for those who done him harm is touching. He never wavers from his plan, and yet he is gentle in some of his actions. The way he dealt with the experiment doctor of the detention centre I found particulary moving, and I decided that V was a good character despite his actions.

Natalie Portman puts in an excellent performance as Evie, or e-V as V happily notices. It seems her destiny was meant to be on V's side. Her life is drab, a normal officer worker until the day V saves her from government forces. From then on, the viewer can see their ralationship would intertwine throughout the film.

The music in the film, particulary the use made of Tchiakovski's work made me grin for a good long while after the film came to its satisfying ending. We are left hanging onto whether V's plan will go ahead or not, and what the outcome will be. However, the ending was visually amazing and coupled with the musical score, fantastic.

From what I have heard it does differ very slightly from the Graphic Novel. I haven't read it myself but my OH has so if you're looking for a complete copy it may not be 100% loyal to the novel. As far as I know, the only noticable variations are some of the dialoge and parts of the ending.

All in all though, this is one excellent film. I will definately be buying this when it comes out becuase I don't think I can possibly take in everything from watching it first time around. Even if I could, it's worth buying just for the ending.


V   May 4, 2006
T. Storey
21 out of 35 found this review helpful

well, for something that, to some extent glorifies terrorism, i actually really enjoyed it. well i must have done to see it three times. different from the graphic novel, yes! better? in my opinion... yes! i thought it was truely beautiful, and changing certain lines like "give me a viking burrial" - to, 2that is ther most beautiful thing you could have given me" was well worth it! there are o many more things i could say, but i will not bother, i will let the film speak for itself...


Supreme Initiation   May 20, 2006
Pymander (The Netherlands)
21 out of 108 found this review helpful


I first wondered why the Wachowski brothers would want
to make a movie based on a cartoon..as is the current
hype..
But when I saw this movie I understood. The story is
filled with spiritual messages as we are now accustomed
to after seeing the Matrix trilogy.
This film goes a little further. It shows us what we
must accomplish on the spiritual path. The captation
of Evey is nothing more or less than what an initiation
in the mysteries must have been like...breaking the ego.
And how do we accomplish this? By conquering our fears.
And our biggest fear must be death. When we conquer our
fear of death we vanquish our egos and become free man.
We will no longer be supressed by society and a new hope
will arise.
We must take up our crosses and follow Jesus, we must
lose our lifes in Christ's name to gain life. We must
cut through the illusion (maya) created by our egos
and find our true (inner)selves and find Love.
That's how I experienced this movie, anyway...Enjoy!



Excellent modern version of 1984   October 24, 2006
M. Wilkinson (Portsmouth, Hampshire)
17 out of 20 found this review helpful

The movie is set in 2020 and shows an England under the oppressive thumb of a fascist, oppressive dictatorship. It draws a lot from dystopian stories of the past, notably George Orwell's 1984.... IN the movie 1984 John Hurt played the ordinary man oppressed by his government trying to beat the system - in this he plays the fascist dictator forcing the system down everyone elses throats as High Chancellor Suttler. What gives the book a modern flavour (and arguably weakens the message) is that the situation is not hopeless. Fight the power is the message V takes to his heart. I must confess I fell deeply in love with the character V after he'd only said about 3 sentences as he is an intelligent and educated hero. No 'hasta la vista, baby' here, just shakespearean quotes and clever linguistic gymnastics - other people have mentioned the famous alliteration speech (nearly every word starts with V in it) - you can download it online, it really is amusing. Other reviewers mentioned that its stylish though empty though I found it otherwise, V makes good points, listen carefully to his speech when he hacks his way on to the airwaves to broadcast what the propaganda machine later calls a message of hate, he expertly sums up how politians hoodwink the masses through psychological sleight of hand. Listen to his explanation of how symbols are given power by people. Hugo weaving plays V with class and humility - I say that because the character never reveals his face, in the book he is even more mysterious as its hinted that he might not even be prisoner number 5 (roman numeral V) from the Larkhill concentration camp.

The action is fast paced and without giving anything away, if you haven't read the graphic novel there are parts of the movie that will blow your mind. I watched the movie several times in the first week I'd purchased it and its hard to praise it highly enough. Its amazing. An interesting aspect is how an oppressive government can gain power by offering freedom FROM terrorism (very relevent for the current political climes) and FROM things like homosexuality and religious extremism, just remember that a good healthy government offers freedom TO do things, not freedom 'from' things.

The acting is superb, stephen rea as police chief finch elegantly underplays his role as the besieged policeman trying to do whats right in a world gone wrong and natalie portman shines as Evie. Sublime. Magnificent.