Review of V for Vendetta (2006) by Manal S — 23 Dec 2012

First reaction: WOW!... Second reaction: Why in hell haven't I seen that before?!!... Third reaction: Why did it have to end? I want see it one more time... Fourth reaction: This will unquestionably head to my all-time favorite movies list.

It has been a really long time since I gave a movie the five stars without second thoughts. And with all those crappy and disappointing movies around, I thought I'd never do it again. Rare are those movies that leave such an impression on me and result in this lingering feeling of enthusiasm. I know, to some people, I might be overrating, but this is exactly my idea of how a perfect movie should be.

I have to admit I was let down knowing that the Wachowskis are the moving force behind this project (I've never been a fan of The Matrix and never will be!) but hell with my prejudices! They have succeeded in turning V from just an impressive comic character to an international, timeless symbol of revolution. The setting of the movie is a futuristic Britain, but the practices of the oppressive government (that strongly reminds me of Orwell's Big Brother) pretty much resembles the practices of all oppressive governments in history. This leaves you wondering: Are the people in power really that stupid? When will they ever learn that peoples cannot be controlled?

James McTeigue did a great job in keeping the movie as symbolic as possible to universalize the experience. The film is not engaged in details; the focus is always on the consequences of the events, not the events themselves. That is why scenes related to the past are repeatedly juxtaposed with scenes from the present so that they would acquire new meanings every time they are shown on the screen (an example is V coming out from the fire in Larkhill). The editing relies heavily on juxtaposition also to stress the unmistakable tone of duality in the movie; fear is juxtaposed with belief, past with present, fire with water, oppression with freedom... etc, there are certainly no grey areas. In addition, the cinematography retains this 'unreal' symbolic effect by using colors that leaves the impression of watching an animated comic book. McTeigue's shots and camera movements are definitely breathtaking - the guy knows what he is doing, without doubt! I also like the fact that the Wachowskis and McTeigue insisted on the anonymity of V, despite the Hollywoodian nagging urge for final revelation.

Hugo Weaving.. Hugo Weaving! How can I possibly love him more?! In V for Vendetta, he has proven that a good actor does not even need a face to perform a role. How did he make me 'see' every facial expression and read his eyes from behind the mask?! I have no idea! It is not just his expressive body language I'm talking about, there was more to it; he character of V radiated a certain aura of grandeur mixed with rebellion and playfulness you can never miss. Hugo Weaving... RESPECT. As for Natalie Portman, she was as great as always, no question about it.

Movies like this one adds up to your life experience, even if you are not appreciative of cinema as art.

Watch it, people!