Review of V for Vendetta (2006) by Andy D — 18 Jan 2013

Another graphic novel conversion, this time from Alan Moore, creator of 'Watchmen', 'From Hell' and 'The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen'. And thankfully this is free from the urges to make this a CGI action blockbuster, instead slotting very neatly into the Political Thriller genre.

The story is set in a near-future Britain, which has become a totalitarian regime led country, it's populace cowed into apathy. 'V' is a masked terrorist who, after blowing up The Old Bailey, urges his countrymen to stand up for themselves against the Government.

The trailer makes the film look much more like a knife-throwing, bouncing bullet casing action-fest, but in truth the full-on action scenes make up less than 5 minutes of the whole movie, allowing the piece to be much more cerebral, and this is one of the films great successes. With a strong 'November 5th' theme underpinning the whole movie, V's actions encourage the people of Britain to each be their own Guy Fawkes, asking them to lose their fear of the regime and to act...

"People should not fear their Governments, Governments should fear their people".

Hugo Weaving's portrayal of V is largely vocal of course, as you never see beneath the mask he wears, and Natalie Portman is sublime as Evey, the other main character who's life becomes entwined with V's.

The direction of the movie isn't bad, although personally I feel that the film could have been more stylised, but overall this is great, very enjoyable to watch and it gets you thinking with many of its topical comments about the Western Worlds fearful response to all sorts of so-called 'threats to security'. Highly recommended.