2008 Woodie Awards
V challenges the rules 'V for Vendetta' movie review
Abigail Echols
Issue date: 3/23/06 Section: Entertainment
What is the difference between a terrorist and a freedom fighter? This is the question posed by the film V for Vendetta. Set in the not so distant future, the British government has taken control of every aspect of its citizen's lives. Except for the life of one man. Nameless and faceless, he wears a Guy Fawkes mask and refers to himself only as the letter "V" and has christened himself the people's champion.
The film opens with the story of the factual Guy Fawkes, a rebellious 17th century Englishman, and his crusade to blow up Parliament. He believed that the government needed to let people live their own lives instead of dictating to them. His "Gunpowder Plot" was foiled on Nov. 5, 1605, so "V" has stepped in to help Fawkes' legacy live on.
On Nov. 4 of the year in which the current story takes place, we first meet "V" (Hugo Weaving) as he steps in to save the life of a young woman (Natalie Portman) who is being attacked by police-like figures because she was caught outside after curfew. "V" protects her against this assault only to learn that her name is Evey. He feels that this is a sign that she shall be a part of his revolution and takes her to the top of one of London's tallest buildings to watch The Old Bailey, Britain's central courts, explode. It is later revealed that he, like his predecessor, wishes to blow up Parliament.
The story was originally written by Alan Moore and David Lloyd as a British comic book. Moore decided to have his name stricken from production after other stories that he wrote, such as From Hell and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, flopped as movies. The screenplay was adapted in the early '90s by the Wachowski brothers who created the Matrix Trilogy.
The film, although not directed by the Wachowski brothers, has a Matrix-esque feel to the visuals during the fight scenes. Very fast paced action sequences leave the viewer thrilled, but the poetic, multi-syllabic lines implies that the writers are possibly trying to atone for the violence with intelligence.
The cast has done an unparalleled job conveying the seriousness of this film. Hugo Weaving, although it is not said if he is really the man behind the mask, is graciously able to spout lines where every word seems to start with the letter v. Natalie Portman is flawless as always, causing the audience to feel voyeuristic when watching her be tortured and abused.
This is a film that has a few places where it causes confusion but it gets the message right. No matter whether a viewer agrees with it or believes that this is a form of liberal propaganda, it is important that they acknowledge what the film's message is: that by living in a democratic society, we are not ruled by our government. We make the choices and decide as a group what is right for us. This is what needs to be taken away from this film. Our country as a whole needs to appreciate how lucky we are. There will always be things that make people unhappy but we have the power and ability to change.
The film opens with the story of the factual Guy Fawkes, a rebellious 17th century Englishman, and his crusade to blow up Parliament. He believed that the government needed to let people live their own lives instead of dictating to them. His "Gunpowder Plot" was foiled on Nov. 5, 1605, so "V" has stepped in to help Fawkes' legacy live on.
On Nov. 4 of the year in which the current story takes place, we first meet "V" (Hugo Weaving) as he steps in to save the life of a young woman (Natalie Portman) who is being attacked by police-like figures because she was caught outside after curfew. "V" protects her against this assault only to learn that her name is Evey. He feels that this is a sign that she shall be a part of his revolution and takes her to the top of one of London's tallest buildings to watch The Old Bailey, Britain's central courts, explode. It is later revealed that he, like his predecessor, wishes to blow up Parliament.
The story was originally written by Alan Moore and David Lloyd as a British comic book. Moore decided to have his name stricken from production after other stories that he wrote, such as From Hell and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, flopped as movies. The screenplay was adapted in the early '90s by the Wachowski brothers who created the Matrix Trilogy.
The film, although not directed by the Wachowski brothers, has a Matrix-esque feel to the visuals during the fight scenes. Very fast paced action sequences leave the viewer thrilled, but the poetic, multi-syllabic lines implies that the writers are possibly trying to atone for the violence with intelligence.
The cast has done an unparalleled job conveying the seriousness of this film. Hugo Weaving, although it is not said if he is really the man behind the mask, is graciously able to spout lines where every word seems to start with the letter v. Natalie Portman is flawless as always, causing the audience to feel voyeuristic when watching her be tortured and abused.
This is a film that has a few places where it causes confusion but it gets the message right. No matter whether a viewer agrees with it or believes that this is a form of liberal propaganda, it is important that they acknowledge what the film's message is: that by living in a democratic society, we are not ruled by our government. We make the choices and decide as a group what is right for us. This is what needs to be taken away from this film. Our country as a whole needs to appreciate how lucky we are. There will always be things that make people unhappy but we have the power and ability to change.