Excellent film with Emotions and Depth

Rating: 10/10 (23 March 2006)

Title: V for Vendetta
Director: James McTeigue
Cast: Natalie Portman, Hugo Weaving, John Hurt, Stephen Rea, Stephen Fry
Review: The Warchowski Brothers decided to follow up the success of their Matrix films with a movie based on DC Comics V for Vendetta, a graphic novel written by Alan Moore. This time they are on board not as directors, but as producers and writers. The chore of directing this film fell upon first time director James McTiegue who worked with the Warchowskis as second unit director on the Matrix films. Did they do justices to Alan Moores book? Or was Alan Moores creation once again raped and mutilated like A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen? Is the movie any good?
The story is about a not to distant future (think 20 years ahead into the future) in which there is an oppressive government. The leader is a Hitler like politician who goes by the name of Adam Sutler. Sutler is very fond of lying to the public and hiding the truth behind his actions and his screw ups. Sound familiar don't it? Anyhows in this future a rebel emerges who is very aggressively going against this government and decides to organize and army to send a message to the powers that be. His mission? To get people to awaken from their slumber, stop watching their TV sets filled with lies and start taken a stance for what they should believe in.
Ill tell you something this movie has got some balls. The political climate in the world of V for Vendetta and the one we are currently living in isn't so different. There's lying politicians telling people what they want people to know. Not the truth. And people believe everything that is given to them through their TV sets. Not that we weren't aware of all the bullcrap that is being fed to us through our TV sets, but this film really works as a wake up call to people. The future of this film is not too distant, therefore we can more readily identify with the film. So when V tells the people of England "You have only to blame yourselves" it really hits you like a ton of bricks! V for Vendetta is a film yeah, but its one that has a powerful resounding message that shouldn't be taken lightly. One that the Warchowskis brothers are making sure that you hear loud and clear. Some of the dialog and situations made me think, damn this movie sure isn't afraid to say what it means! Is it faithful to the comics that its based on? I honestly don't know since I haven't really read Moores novel. I've read some reviews that say that yes, it sticks pretty close to the graphic novel and its faithful to the material. But aside from that, I think the film really works and I think it really archives what its trying to do. Which is in fact get people to think and not just stay in a state of numbness where you don't care whats going on with your country. The best line in the movie says it all: "People shouldn't fear their governments, Goverments should fear their people".
Those of you expecting a big action extravaganza with many special effects sequences will be greatly disappointed since this is a film that focuses more on the themes and drama then gee weez effects sequences. Yes it's a film based on a comic book, but don't expect batman/spider-man like action. Though the movie does remind you every now and then that it is a comic book movie with some action, like for example its batman influenced opening sequence with V rescuing Evey from a couple of thugs, but for the most part, this movie is a film not aimed at selling action figures or gimmicks at your local Burger King. It's a serious film, aimed to make you think. It does have a few action sequences (I counted about three) and they are excellent, but they are not the center of this film. This movie is asking you to analyze what its trying to say and then really feel it. There's a really heartwarming sequence with Portman locked up in a jail cell that should really get you thinking about the central theme of the movie.
Everyones performance was excellent, but of noteworthy importance was Portmans portrayal of Evey, V's love interest. She has some intense sequences that show her total devotion in what she believes in. Hugo Weaving as V is great. He doesn't show his face through out the whole film but does an incredible performance as V. His voice and his body language make V become a great character. Its kind of ironic to see John Hurt playing the evil oppressing "big brother" politician in this film, since Hurt played the oppressed character, Winston Smith in the film adaptation of George Orwells 1984.
Also I need to put my hat down to the Warchowsky brothers because they wrote an excellent screenplay, with some intelligent dialog, of course they had Moores book to draw from, but they did a great job in putting forth an important and relevant message.
In conclusion get ready for a movie that matters. There have been sci-fi movies in the past giving their message of the people rebelling against an oppressive government. A few films pop to mind like 1984, Equilibrium...but in all honesty, non have done it with such a sure and resounding voice as V for Vendetta did. A movie that talks about things that hit all too close to home and the times that we are living in. Get ready for V.
Rating: 5 out of 5