Ideas are bulletproof!

Well after reviewing on this site for over a month I’ve decided to branch out from video games into movies as well.

V for Vendetta is a movie that is based on a series graphic novel written by Alan Moore. I can’t say with any kind certainty whether or not the movie is a faithful adaptation of the original narrative but what I can say is that this is the best movie I have seen in quit a while. However before I gush any further I will qualify my remarks by giving a little background on myself, first off I have a BA in history and am working on my Masters in history so I already knew about the history of the gunpowder plot and who Guy Fawkes was. While this type of historical background is not necessary to understand or appreciate the film it does help because without it the beginning of the movie and some of the symbolism can become a bit muffled.

I also would say that you have to go into this movie with an open mind in order to enjoy it and not blatantly assume that it is politically biased one way or the other. It is set in a post World War III England which is under the grip of an authoritarian government, I see no parallels with our current situation and if you do then you probably see conspiracies in allot of other things around you as well. I think the title of this review speaks directly to the heart of this film’s message, “Ideas are bulletproof”, which is a line from the film. I believe that the basic message of the film is that the ideas of freedom and justice can never be silenced by those who are willing to build their own lives on the shattered dreams of other human beings by using fear and violence as a tool of oppression. If you tend to think that most movies are trying to push some biased agenda on you then I would strongly urge you to avoid this film.

Plot
The movie is set in the near future in Britain, specifically London and follows Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) who is out after curfew when she is caught by the police, who are undercover and intend to rape her, in the ally. As this is happening V (Hugo Weaving) shows up, in his black cape and Guy Fawkes mask and easily dispatches the would-be scum bags before they have a chance to carry out there transgression. After this V takes her to a rooftop so that she can watch his handy-work, the destruction of the Old Bailey, a building in London that is blown smithereens while classical music plays and fireworks go off.

Well anyway way we later find out the V is a terrorist/freedom fighter who is fighting a guerilla type war against the established totalitarian regime that is in power. Without revealing any more about the plot I will say this, even though this screenplay was written by the Wachowski brothers, it is in no way like the Matrix. The dialogue is very British in style and V tends to speak in very verbose soliloquies often quoting Shakespeare and his favorite movie the Count of Monte Cristo, the original not the recent remake.

The action in this movie is not intensely violent although I really don’t consider this to be an action movie, although some of the action sequences are pretty neat. The real essence of this movie is embodied in the characters, who all are trying to cast off fear and reclaim their freedom, both in a figurative and literal sense.

The Bottom Line
Well written script that was adapted from the graphic novel, beautifully acted by the cast, gorgeous sets and backgrounds, well done special effects and an amazing soundtrack make this film a must see. Go out and rent it or buy it for yourself, you won’t be disappointed, however if you are highly suspicious of anything that seems to have a liberal agenda then it might not be for you.

9.5/10