Movie Review

V for Vendetta

"V for Vendetta" claims to be based on Allan Moore's graphic comic books of the same name, but in actuality, Hollywood liberalism should be given most of the credit. The film is set in the future where Britain is under a totalitarian regime. Evey (Portman), an intern at what appears to be England's only remaining news channel, is recruited by a man in a Guy Faux mask named V (Weaving) to help him fight back against the oppressive system and restore democracy. The film is jam-packed with references to the Bush administration. The news is used not to inform but to put people in a state of panic. The regime is against homosexuality and beliefs counter to its own, and it even has a Pat Robertson-like figure on the airwaves to tell people what God can and cannot stand. There are also multi-million dollar companies (a la Haliburton) that the regime is tied in with.

Among all this, "V's" best reference is V himself, a government watchdog in a society whose media has turned to manipulating rather than informing. It gives you respect for the news media of both sides, primarily because V is a last resort. Too ideological and sophisticated to be underestimated but too extreme to really support, V is hard to connect with as a character; he is an interesting contrast to the fact that a voice of challenge of our leaders is better than a weirdo running around in a mask. Said "weirdo" is supposed to be the hero, but a terrorist is a terrorist no matter how you look at him. He romances Evey and seems to be the lesser of two evils but there is still no justification for the actions of this character. At one point, he even goes so far as to give the British people "hope" by blowing up parliament. Huh? Conservatives will also attack the movie for its over-the-top portrayal of government, something I at first criticized, but rethought and considered it to be another intriguing observation of government without surveillance.

As entertainment, "V" disappoints the most. It is too bogged down in politics and drama rather than in action. The only action it does have is a couple of scenes in which characters fight by dagger-swiping, but otherwise "V" will not be remembered for incredible stunts, as The Matrix trilogy was remembered. The best that can be said is that it inspires thought, but even then it does so in a sort of silly and complicated way that says the best way to bring down a dictator is to sign up with your local Al-Qaeda representative.

Craig's Grade: C

A	10.9%
B	41.8%
C	31.8%
D	15.3%
F	0.3%