Published on March 20, 2006 By averjoe In Entertainment
I saw the movie “V for Vendetta” yesterday. The movie concerns an Orwellian like state that arise in Great Britain due to the war on terrorist and terrorist attacks. The story is one of conspiracy, liberation and vengeance. It is quite a mix.

The screenplay is by the Wachowski brothers and like there past work it is full of philosophical and political dilemmas.

V who was the victim of some government sponsored medical research gone wrong (and which assisted in the rise of the police state) seeks vengeance against those who tormented him while simultaneously liberating the British people from the situation they, through compliance caused by fear and the desire for safety and security, find themselves in.

The government which is now headed by a Chancellor holds the masses in check using various means one would expect a police state to use like controlling the media (and propagandizing) and suppressing all possible opposition including the truth about what has led up to the state of affairs in the country.

The story nicely ties into the present environment or state of the world today and the fear of terrorism, the fear of the types of attacks terrorist might launch, the war on terrorism and its implications for the freedoms enjoyed in free societies.

The movie has a distinctly British flair or flavor to it and the placement of the story seems appropriate considering that Britain has developed laws and procedures that infringe on a free peoples rights (especially the right to privacy) due to its long history of fighting the IRA. It is a very fitting place for the story to be set.

The story does have a gay angle or gay themes in it that are used to illustrate the lack of tolerance in this state where religion is usurped by the government, but there are many other themes of much more prominence flowing through this tale.

To see all the themes, symbolism and metaphors in this movie one must be to some extent politically, historically and philosophically aware. I think that is also the problem with this movie like it was with the two sequels to the movie “The Matrix” (A grade).

The Wachoski brothers who seem to be very knowledgeable of art and philosophy try to stuff too much into the movies they write, direct or both. It takes a very skilled director to handle stories with so many themes. On many occasions the story suffers when one tries to juggle so much meaning in imagery and dialogue.

Such is the case for “V For Vendetta” in my view. The story is lacking in structure and logic in many instances. Logic and structure is lacking to such an extent that the movie has an “arthouse” feel (which may eventually affect the amount the film makes at the box office).

Arthouse films, which are common in many other places in the world besides the US, are more of a person’s artistic expression through imagery and dialogue than trying to tell a coherent or shall I say more linear story with deep meaning (or simple meaning) through film.

Still, I think director James McTeigue’s “V for Vendetta” is an okay movie. I think one should see it, if not in theaters then when it comes out on DVD, as a cautionary tale on what could happen to a free society if a free people gives up their liberties in exchange for safety and security. I give “V for Vendetta” a grade of B minus. At this point in time, it is a very relevant movie.






Comments
on Mar 20, 2006
As a former comic book buff, I remember "V for Vendetta" when it was released, I believe as a graphic novel, sometime in the late 1980s.
I haven't searched this topic, but I believe it was written by Alan Moore, as a somewhat cautionary tale illustrating his growing alarm at the direction his government was taking under the evil, oppressive cadre headed by Margaret "The Iron Lady" Thatcher.
We all know what an enemy of political freedom and liberty Ms. Thatcher was, given her solid backing of that Nazi bastard Ronald "Ruthless Ruffian" Reagan in his opposition to, and political and diplomatic battle against, totalitarian Soviet and Communist hegemony.
As a conservative, it never ceases to amaze me how liberals and leftists can imagine and hallucinate oppression and tyranny where there is none, and totally miss (or ignore) it where there is.

I haven't seen the movie, but I have heard that Moore has disowned the project, as he did with other of his stories made into films, such as "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen", and one other, I believe. I've heard mixed reviews on this one, though I heard something about Natalie Portman in a catholic schoolgirl dress. I might have to see it based on that.

I have also heard, though, that the repressive villains are portrayed as devout Christians who molest children, and that someone has kept a copy of the Koran because it's such a beautiful document.

Nah, I think I'll pass.
on Mar 21, 2006
on Mar 21, 2006
I really liked it. I think there was a fair balance of art and plot. I agree not quite worthy of an A+ due to some instances that are not quite believable, or at least not as well supported as it should have been. All in all though, one of the best so far this year. Definate oscar material.
on Mar 23, 2006
All in all though, one of the best so far this year.


With nine months, and three of that summer, ahead of us.

Definate oscar material.


I hope you're being funny. No, I haven't seen it, but........

Probably so, though, considering that all of Hollywood hates us "fascists" and non-"progressives". The story makes a hero out of a terrorist who works his magic to overthrow an oppressive government.
With the times as they are, I myself think it's a little reckless to show a terrorist as a hero.
But then, he IS working to overthrow the Bush Admi----er---sorry, an evil, oppressive British government.
Hmmm....yeah, we may actually have the first comic book movie Best Picture.
on Apr 06, 2006
Rightwinger, I found your history of the character V informative. I did not know that. I don't think the V should be viewed as a terrorist. If you consider the government that V is attacking he is more of a freedom fighter.
One could have considered the founding fathers of the US as terrorist. I think we must consider what V is fighting. I do not think the movie is celebrating a terrorist.
on Apr 06, 2006
I haven't seen the movie, but I think it isn't really relevant who you are fighting in terms of whether you are a terrorist or not. It is who you are killing. Had the founding fathers sent people strapped with bombs into public places in London, maybe the comparison might work.