But what of the conservative concerns? Every government bent on dominating its people takes its guns away. Hitler, for instance, disarmed the Jews before he really started abusing them. There is only one brief point made on this topic, and its intent turns out to be a bit vague. No mention is made of taxes, though every repressive regime in history sought every way possible to take as much of what its citizens earned as they could. Our own American Revolution, though far more complex than the event which sparked it, began with a protest on a three penny per pound tax on tea. An inclusion of more typically conservative concerns would have added much to the movie.
For someone of a strong libertarian persuasion, this film may well serve as a personal rallying cry as well as a satisfying tale. For others, it will be seen as glorifying terrorists. The movie itself is quite good for all its flaws, but this point could well be lost as political interests line up to denounce it or acclaim it. For my money, I haven’t yet had a better time at the theater this year.
The Upside:
Strong acting and a very solid script. The technical aspects are in line with the best industry standards.
The Downside:
The script might have delved more into the nature of revolutions as well as presented more concerns from the right. The directing was achingly ordinary for a movie with so much potential.
On the Side:
The author of the original graphic novel on which the movie is based, Alan Moore, refused to be associated with the project and had his name removed from the credits.
Making the Grade:
The Story: A-
The Acting: A-
Behind the Scenes: C
Overall: B
By Matthew Alexander, a Staff Writer for Film School Rejects
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Article comments
1 - chromatius
Worth noting it was written in the early eighties, under Thatcher.
And you can read Alan Moore's reasons for not participating here
Basically he felt DC ripped him off for the rights to to "Watchmen" and "V for Vendetta".
Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici.
By the power of Truth I, while living, have conquered the Universe.
2 - TV Shows on DVD
V for vendetta is good action movie!natalie portman looks like GI jane here...the cast, scripts, and the story line is awesome! now i will wait for the DVD release of this movie..
3 - nogodzone
Good review. Can't wait to see it. You may not know this but the religious conservatives are calling the film a neo-Marxist plot and anti-god. I've blogged on their complaints at www.nogodzone.blogspot.com.
4 - Neil
Here is an opinion. As the previous commenter mentioned, there are those who would say that this film conveys an anti-god message. I beg to differ. What this film displays is how tyrannical governments can use religion in an unethical manner to pull the collective wool over the eyes of their society. It is frustrating to see how the religious right will often accuse Hollywood of being anti-god when the films in question are just exposing the dangers of allowing religion to permeate the fabric of our governing bodies.
Sadly I see striking parallels between this movie and our own society. I believe that it really has something to say about how we should approach our futures as a free society.
Just my 2 cents, either way you cannot dispute the fact that this film is one hell of a ride!
5 - Bob McKinlay
sorry to nitpick but the heart of the movie (& the graphic novel) is the Delia Surridge/Larkhill Detention Centre/Valerie Page thread and in the movie, the only way Inspector Finch (Stephen Rea) finds out about Larkhill is through the tax records of the key personnel (Surridge, Prothero & Lilliman) who all worked there...
good film, if you ignore the plot holes, hope it encourages people to read the book.
Ach, who am I kidding? a hollywood film that's politically dissident? rare, very rare. A mainstream hollywood film that encourages philisophical thought? Scary, Stephen King eat yer heart out...
6 - Tim
Just rented the movie & watched it on InDemand - nice... Gripping story. There was only one bit I wasn't happy with. The opening scene of the 1600's - could have just as well been a reference in the present and it added little to the film. By the end, I was still scratching my head wondering why the editors decided to leave it in at all.
Beyond that, intense and exciting and I would recommend this film to my friends.
7 - Denny O'Rork
V for Vendetta is definitely one of the best movies I have ever seen. I cannot remember when I last saw a movie that kept my interest all throughout the course of it. Hugo Weaving was the perfect V. I'm an actor myself and I do not think I could even do that role justice. This wasn't your typical mind- blowing action movie. This said so much about our own government. I will spare the details but I think you know what I mean. This movie will definitely go down in the history of movies.