V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta — This movie kicked ass. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars, simply because I can’t think of a movie that I’ve seen that deserves 5… Alien might be at that level… but just barely.

The social commentary alone makes this movie worth seeing, even if you’ve been on the ball with how screwy things are in this nation already. V is of course the story of a freedom fighter working to release the populace of England from the corrupt and absolute rule of a religious fundamentalist govt maintaining its power through fear and oppression. The civilian populace is controlled through a govt controlled news system, a secret police force that is above the law, and the ever present fear set upon them by the govt that the rest of the world will kill them if their faith is not absolute, and their obedience not complete. The tag line for the govt in the movie is “Strength through unity, unity through faith.”

Natalie Portman does an excellent job as Eve Hammond. Her acting ability is completely validated for me after the atrocities of the star wars movies. Give her a script, and she can act. Her character was wonderfully portrayed and honestly the shaved look is pretty hot.

Hugo Weaving, even though you never see his face is excellent. His voice is haunting and commanding at the same time, and his physical presence is perfect for the role. It’s funny to remember him in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert from way back when.

The rest of the cast is well chosen and well played, if shallow characters that each have a role, if not a real persona of their own. Most fall in to stereotypical positions of totalitarian power structures… The corrupt bishop, the commander of the secret police, the propaganda minister… etc… Each are appropriate, but not more then the quality of the writing and those who portray them.

The production quality of the film is excellent, I was hard pressed to figure out when I was seeing CGI effects and real life places and people. While I’m sure the scene where a number of buildings blow up were CGI, there were huge crowd scenes in which I was unsure if they really had 10,000 extras, or if the CGI has gotten that good to allow it all to blend in.

Overall, I highly suggest the film, its far above par for holly wood, and the makers of the film have also thrown in a powerful message about what it means to live in a free society, and where the power of that society should come from.

To quote the movie: “People should not fear the government, the government should fear the people.”