V for Vendetta
Directed by the Wachowski brothers.
Starring Natalie Portman & Hugo Weaving.
Based upon the Vertigo graphic novel by Alan Moore & David Lloyd.
Welcome to London! Home of fish, chips and fascist tyranny! Of course you should thank the high chancellor for removing the death, pestilence, war and famine that racked England and that has destroyed other countries, but of course the price to be paid is leaving them the power… the power to do whatever is necessary “for your protection…” V (Hugo Weaving) is a mysterioso who despises how his country has sacrificed its ‘freedom’ in exchange for ‘security.’ Armed with cultured wit, knives, explosives and his trusty Guy Fawkes Mask he proceeds to stick it to ‘the man!’
V for Vendetta is based upon the graphic novel by Alan Moore. Set in a (close) future where a country tearing itself apart responds to its collective fears by putting absolute power in the hands of a fanatical leader, one who applies a fascist ideology to remove those fears. Of course the irony being that the government manipulates those same fears to keep the country “unified” and justify its corrupt agendas.
Needless to say this film has received a lot of criticism in the U.S. (reaaally!) and I imagine may offend English patriots especially given that this film contains British monuments and well… explosives. Additionally the film’s release date was postponed due to sensitivity of the London bombings which are quite similar to the acts of the vigilante V. The film really couldn’t have come out a more appropriate time and pushes a very powerful message without appearing corny! The persona of V is embodied perfectly by Hugo Weaving, and Natalie Portman plays her best role yet as the character Evey — a young girl rescued by V who slowly garners the courage to face the truth of V’s line of thinking. The film is also a big redemption for the Wachowski brothers after the Matrix Revolutions. V shows the calibre of film we expect them to turn out! As for those of you familiar with the graphic novel, the film is a very true conversion, with much of the dialogue and shots matching frame for frame with the comic where appropriate.
I have to admit, the adverts for this film weren’t all that flashy, and I questioned as to whether this meant the film was bad or whether the Wachowskis had learnt not to show all the interesting scenes in the adverts. It is definitely the latter! The trailers for this film do not do it justice! It is truly a brilliant film! It paints a frighteningly believable world which will make you view this one in a different light.
V for Vendetta is hilarious, captivating, contains compelling action, is heavily plot driven and more importantly is entertaining. It is definitely a “see-it-multiple-times-at-the-cinema-film” before you purchase it on DVD. Unless you’re some form of hermit-like creature that lives under a rock who takes no interest in governments, society, graphic novels, Natalie Portman, or simply big explosions, then see this film!
England prevails.
10/10 (I may be biased, but it still deserves a 9.5 minimum.)
Michael Hill
