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The 2006 film based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd.
< read all 12 reviews
Rating:
Pros: Hugo Weaving and everything V
+3
Cons: Plot is pretty intricate; attention and possibly two viewings is needed
The Bottom Line: "People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people." Damn straight.
Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.
I wanted to see this movie when it came out in theaters, really bad. But I never go around to it. So, the day after it was out on DVD, I made a point to stop off and snatch it up, forgetting any reviews I’d previously read.
Well my vivacious, and perhaps voracious, viewers, a very venerable welcome to the vision of one venturesome vigilante verily named V (whose vernacular is vastly more varied than my own). For those of you wondering about his flowery language use, as others have fussed about, don’t worry. He’s not Shakespearian throughout the whole movie, and in fact, I can only recall two times (one semi-long, the other a few parting sentences) where he spoke with broad eloquence. But in the semi-long one, notice how almost all his words began with the letter V…
V trounces around in a Guy Fawkes mask (you know, the guy who tried to blow up Parliament so many years ago?), dressed head to toe in black, making plans on how to overthrow the iron-fisted government that now exists in London. He stumbles upon Evey, who is cornered by three very unaccommodating men. After taking them out, he invites her to a concert he is conducting, leading her in turn to a rooftop where she gets the full view of an exploding building as the "1812 Overture" plays over the citywide speaker system. V is having a grand time. Evey is weirded out.
But this won’t be the first time they cross paths. V’s endeavors to unite the people of the country, while killing off those who did horrible things to him in the past and slipping past the police at every turn, open up a whole world Evey never knew existed (or at least tried to forget about) and must learn to get past her fears in order to truly live. Will the fifth of November always be remembered and because of V’s plot, the deeds and the day never be forgot?
I enjoyed this movie thoroughly, and if for nothing else, than for V himself. Hugo Weaving (Agent Smith from The Matrix anyone?) does a wonderful job, slipping out all those lines with perfect poise and all his little hand motions. I don’t think they could have done a better job casting the part. If you liked Weaving before, you’ll love him here – that is, if you remember it’s him under that mask. I kept thinking in terms of V until a thought popped in of, “I so love Hugo Weaving right now,” and then left just as quickly. And I loved the outfit, even if the hair did seem silly at times, mostly because nobody wears it like that anymore, but the almost clown-like mask is very effective; the smile may be there, but depending upon what V is doing, it can become very sinister looking very fast. (i.e. I’m smiling because I’m about to kill you)
Then we have Evey, played by Natalie Portman. I had to look up to see just where she was born, because at the beginning of the movie (and a few random parts throughout) her English accent seemed off. Well done, but at times it had a tweak of something southern in it and that threw me off a little. Still, she makes up for it in actually shaving her head for the part (when it arrives – ballsy girl, but it does give her the excuse to be different on the red carpet) and her acting is on par all the time, so I’ve no real complaints. The remainder of the cast, as far as I know, is all English – huzzah! I can only take fake accents so much, no matter how good they are. I like authenticity.
A star got knocked down because of the story. No, no, it’s a good story – it just seemed a little convoluted at times. Even now I’m still not entirely sure about all the details, such as what exactly they were doing to the people in the compound V was originally in, as well as a few other things. The original comic if rather large, so I hear, so it seems as though they had a lot to put into however much time they decided on, and still get everything across. If you’re watching this and someone starts gabbing to you and you miss about 5 minutes, then you’ve probably missed something you’d want to know. Yes, chock full.
It may be just me, but the sound seemed quiet too. It was hard to hear people talking; V I can understand the muffled voice with the mask, it only makes sense, but others just seemed to speak quietly. I kept having to crank the sound up so I wouldn’t miss something important (see above paragraph). Had this problem on my computer and the TV, and it was annoying both times.
All in all, a good movie, and even if the whole idea doesn’t interest you, you have to see it anyway, just to get a look at (and listen to) V himself. And then there’s that bit with V in that flowery apron making breakfast…
NT
P.S. No, I do not believe this glorifies a terrorist, as some claim this movie does and is about. Trust me, if the U.S. were like this, you’d be out in the V costume too (see end of movie)
P.P.S. It had to be weird for Hugo Weaving to have so many V’s around him – first copies in The Matrix Revolutions and now this…
Recommended:
Yes
Viewing Format: DVD
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More V for Vendetta (2006 film) reviews
1984 would not have worked set in the United States. We seem to know that, no matter what, we will stand up and face down a system like the one Mr. Orwell described. Similarly V for Vendetta had to be set in Britain in order to work. And, oh yes Virginia, it does work. The plot is orwellian. It is also a little bit Ray Bradbury and just a little dash of That’s Incredible for those sad few of us who can remember that show. … more
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Compliments (36)
If I had not read the graphic novel first, I'd have been bewildered. It adapts a challenging story well, despite the limits of two hours. I found the ending a moving one, cynic though I am. Recommended that you finish the book first, and then enjoy the visuals, story, and action.
Comments (1)
Compliments (3)
one of my favorite movies of all times! lots of action and a plot that is followable and enjoyable.
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Compliments (3)
review by jbeswick.
July 23, 2009
A cinematic giant, V is a great example of a perfect film (other examples in my methodology include Out Of Africa, The English Patient and Goodfellas). Literally no actor could be replaced, no scene cut nor any direction changed - perfect in every respect. The main character, "V", is a model for every citizen. Unchanged, unhinged, unwaveable - he stands for everything we believe in. His motivation gains more credence daily , and I frequently urge people to … more
Comments (3)
Compliments (38)
I love this movie. there's something about it that has me watching it over and over again.
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Quick Tip by josephrasch.
April 29, 2010
awesome
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review by Schtinky.
November 05, 2008
November 5th is Guy Fawkes night, where the British light bonfires in memory of Guy Fawkes, who attempted assassination of King and Parliament with a plan to blow up Westminster Palace. 'V For Vendetta' plays off the Fawkes legend, bringing it into the future with a sane and cultivated hero who hides behind a mask. 'V' (Hugo Weaving), as he identifies himself, has been a victim of the oppressive political overthrowing of a free government, and decides that revolution and … more
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review by arichards.
November 17, 2008
This coming November You'll need to remember The gun powder treason and plot For Portman and Weaving Will have you believing That this movie won't be forgot Their brilliant acting Will have you reacting Between consternation and shock As the regime of Norsefire Breathes bigoted fire And monitors you round the clock When V rescues … more
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Compliments (10)
review by engelcox.
March 06, 2007
Missed this one in the theater and it finally came up in the Netflix queue. As seems to be the case with movies made from graphic novels these days, the filmmakers did a great job of capturing the visual style of the comic while not necessarily retaining the story or underlying meaning. This was even more egregious in this case, where V is portrayed as a heroic figure whose victimization justifies the means by which he extracts his revenge with the added bonus of freeing the enslaved citizens of … more
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"V for Vendetta" is one of the most boring revolutionary epics I've ever watched. With a screenplay and production by the Wachowski Brothers, I'd at least expect plenty of explosions and some neat special effects because, let's be honest, folks, the only reason that the first "Matrix" flick did very well was because of the whole slo-mo bullet biz. After the initial shock, the sequels of that particular flick were nothing more than fluff. However, it seems that the Wachowski boys were hoping that … more
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About the reviewer
Nicole (ssjakira1)
Ranked #73
Ranked #73
Age: 27 Currently: Freelancing my butt off and querying my other novel, Blood for Wolves. Who likes seriously factured fairy tales? =D Like books? Then take it from a real, live … more
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About this movie
V FOR VENDETTA: From DC comics and the Wachowski Brothers (THE MATRIX) comes this tale of revolution in an England of the future, one gone fearful and fascist; anyone different, from homosexuals to free thinking artists, is "black bagged" and subjected to torture and inhumane medical experiments. Hugo Weaving stars as V, the mysterious knife-carrying masked avenger who has lightning reflexes, lots of explosives, and intentions to blow up Parliament. He's also on a vendetta against the evil powermongers who made him the lonely monster he is. Natalie Portman is the innocent waif who saves him and winds up hiding out in his nifty secret lair, which is filled with forbidden books, art, and a jukebox that plays Cat Power and Julie London's "Cry Me a River." Meanwhile, there's a hangdog police inspector (Stephen Rea) picking up their trail, and a plethora of evil British government types regularly bullied into action by the intensely odious "Grand Chancellor" (John Hurt). Director James McTiegue keeps all thes...
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Cast:
Stephen Rea,
Sinéad Cusack,
John Hurt,
Eddie Marsan,
Juliet Howland,
Natalie Portman,
Roger Allam,
Stephen Fry,
William Tapley,
Joseph Rye,
Tim Pigott-Smith,
John Standing,
Clive Ashborn,
James Purefoy,
Hugo Weaving,
Rupert Graves,
Ben Miles,
Natasha Wightman,
Billie Cook,
Simon Holmes,
Julie Brown,
Megan Gay,
Mark Longhurst,
Emma Field Rayner,
Mark Phoenix,
Alister Mazzotti,
Roderick Culver,
Tara Hacking,
Antje Rau,
Patricia Gannon,
Oliver Bradshaw,
Jack Schouten,
Caoimhe Murdock,
Brin Rosser,
Adrian Finighan,
Bradley Steve Ford,
Madeleine Rakic-Platt,
Selina Giles,
Carsten Hayes,
Grant Burgin,
Imogen Poots,
Laura Greenwood,
Kyra Meyer,
Paul Antony-Barber,
Anna Farnworth,
Mary Stockley,
Simon Newby,
David Merheb,
Daniel Donaldson,
Ben Posener,
Ian T. Dickinson,
Sophia New,
Gerard Gilroy,
Eamon Geoghegan,
Matt Wilkinson,
Martin McGlade,
Richard Laing,
Derek Hutchinson,
Raife Patrick Burchell,
Matthew Bates,
Ian Burfield,
Chad Stahelski,
Jason Griffiths,
Malcolm Sinclair,
David Leitch,
Cosima Shaw,
Gregory Donaldson,
Martin Savage,
Michael Simkins,
Amelda Brown,
Charles Cork,
John Ringham,
Richard Campbell,
Guy Henry,
Dulcie Smart,
Andy Rashleigh
Director:
James McTeigue
Genre:
Action,
Drama,
Thriller
Release Date:
March 17, 2006
MPAA Rating:
R
Screen Writer:
Andy Wachowski,
Lana Wachowski
DVD Release Date:
August 01, 2006
Runtime:
131 minutes
Studio:
Warner Bros. Pictures,
Village Roadshow Pictures
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