Impressions & Overview: "V for Vendetta"

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My wife and I saw this today with a couple of our friends and the consensus was 100% favorable! In fact, this is a powerful, moving film with ironic political content that's very close to the graphic novel upon which the screenwriting is based. Within 10 minutes of the film's openning credits I turned to my wife and whispered "it's a DVD" which is my way of indicating that VfV was already worth adding to our DVD collection when it's released on home video later in the year.
By the film's conclusion, I was even more convinced. In fact, this film might be fairly regarded as a minor masterpiece; I can hardly wait for it to come out on DVD!
The story's politics and ominous cautionary overtones will probably unsettle the film's critics much more than the razzle-dazzle of V's rote special effects, humble comic origins or even the hit-and-miss track record of the Wachowski's Matrix productions. The allegorical content of the original graphic novel amounts to disturbing predictions about corruption and the abuse of power through maintaining fear, and it appears as prophetic in the near view as Nostradamus's predictions now seem far-sighted.
This IS heady stuff; if Georges Santayana were alive today and reviewing films instead of contributing cautionary philosophy, he'd probably give this film two resounding thumbs up!
The allegorical content is uncanny and unmissable; subtlety was never the intent but the underlying message seems incredibly relevent and topical today. The story is straight-forward, with interesting turns that gradually unravel the mystery of the mask and the goals of the person behind it.
OTOH, it isn't difficult imagining a certain politician and his roving advisor learning their two-steps after reading Alan Moore's graphic novel back in the 80's (or at least looking at the pictures). If that's the case, they took the wrong message from this story or didn't finish it, because grabbing power and maintaining control over mislead citizens does not bode well for a happy ending. Yes, there are spoils aplenty, but no spoilers from me!
One caveat: I was greatly impressed with V for Vendetta, but not everyone will come away from this experience so fondly. M'thinks it's hard-edged allegories will be uncomfortable for some folks (especially Administration supporters) even though the film is a very literal transfer of an 80's era graphic novel that predates current political events. BTW, producer/screenwriter Andy & Larry Wachowski should be commended for not tampering with the original material.
I heartily recommend this film, but suggest that die-hard supporters of the current Administration take along sedatives to screenings. It isn't Fahrenheit 911 by any stratch, but the thought-provoking subtext and disturbing dramatic content just might hit extreme Conservatives at least as hard as the perceived biases taken away from Michael Moore's arguably manipulative documentary footage.
Rating (for those dazzled by the Stars): ****1/2 of ***** (5 star scale)
AuPh

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Topic - Impressions & Overview: "V for Vendetta" - Audiophilander 02:03:24 03/18/06 (4)

I thought it was good, but not great. - Big Dave 21:09:59 03/18/06 (0)

I left the theatre grinning ear-to-ear knowing Auph was giving this a standing ovate . . . - mr grits 20:21:57 03/18/06 (0)

Tone - jbmcb 08:41:56 03/18/06 (1)

It's been awhile since I read the graphic novel, but the film should be "graphic" enough for most folks. - Audiophilander 09:50:18 03/18/06 (0)

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