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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Truth in the form of a lie, Nov 3 2007
I'll never forget seeing this movie for the first time on the big screen. Being a big fan of the Matrix films, I was eagerly anticipating the Wachowskis' next project. And for the next 130 minutes, I was blown away. Not only was the story intricate and engaging, the acting intense and convincing, the characters sympathetic and human, but the subtext of the film was unbelievable.
At several points throughout the film my jaw dropped and I thought, "Did they just say what I thought they said?" I walked out of the theater elated and awed at what the filmmakers had created. I even had a moment of delusional optimism: "Maybe people will GET it! This could be the movie that breaks the door down!" But, like a sign from the great pessimist in the sky, my wishful thinking was promptly rebuked.
Leaving the theater I overheard a man talking with his son. They, too, had just seen the movie. Surely, he had seen what I had seen; heard what I had heard. But no. "It was a good movie," he said. "But just remember, son, it's a movie, not real life." I wanted to sock the guy in the face. How could a human see the movie and come away with such a pusillanimous and lily-livered response?
What property of human stubbornness and "thick-skulledness" can misinterpret the line, "artists use lies to tell the truth, while politicians use them to cover the truth up." But I should know better. The human mind has a hyperactive tenacity in relation to avoiding uncomfortable conclusions. Cognitive dissonance reigns supreme. If believing two contradictory pieces of information at the same time can prevent one from accepting an uncomfortable truth, our subconscious is more than willing to give us a hand.
"No son, our government would never do such a thing." Bollocks.
V for Vendetta is a no-holds-barred condemnation of the creeping fascism that has infected both the American and British systems of government; of their repeated use of false-flag operations to cow their populations into blind and terror-based submission; the presence of psychopathic individuals in said governments and all the implications that follow from that point.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
flawed Orwellian comic book comes alive, Mar 2 2009
I'm tired with this whole "it's a the graphic novel" nonsense, when really a graphic novel is just a fancy way to say better done "comic book." V For Vendetta has lots of great Orwellian type themes but it still comes across as far too simplistic and dumbed down for the masses.
First of all, if you can get past the ridiculous mask and '60s mop top Peter Tork haircut of V (and why in the scene at the pub when sees this V guy first appears that not a single patron makes as wisecrack about the fop in the ridiculous mask is so beyond me it's mindboggling).
The action is definitely good. The casting is brilliant. John Hurt (hey, 1984 and all) as the Orwellian leader of Britain was perfect as was the SCTV-like telecreen he talks through. The Stephens--Fry and Rea--were inspired. Again Britain seems bereft of actresses such that yet another American must play an English heroine (Natalie Portman, come on down).
As far as the extras, all you get is a 15 min. "Making Of" which is good but spends a little too much time trying to tell us how there are parallels in this graphic novel to the post-911 world. Sorry, but I get tired of this Conspiracy 101 drivel being spewed by anyone and the fact this movie had virtually no impact at all on people's consciousness proves that that was a stretch.
It's good fun to watch as long as you leave your brain cells at the door.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
V for Vendetta is a Blast!, May 9 2008
V for Vendetta is the story of one man's fight to right atrocities that were brought down on a future society that is held captive by a corrupt government. V, the masked avenger, was tortured and held prisoner for years, before an explosion and fire set him free. Hiding his scars behind a mask and gloves, he sets out to kill those involved in the mass genocide in his country. One by one, people begin to die.
And caught in the middle is Evey, a young woman who is rescued by V, then whisked away to his secret underground lair. She is both terrified and fascinated by the man in the mask, by his plight and firm convictions that those who committed crimes against humanity must die. And when he tells her of his plan to literally bring down the ruling government, she promises to meet him one last time, right before his explosive event.
The story ends the only way it can, with fireworks and explosions and death. Part Zorro, part Phantom of the Opera, V is the heroe we all wish to be. This sensational story sends a message about freedom and love. Freedom fighters unite! V for Vendetta is a blast!
--Cheryl Kaye Tardif
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