On August 1 2006 V for Vendetta was released on DVD from Warner Home Video. After sitting down and finally watching the film, I can’t figure what I was thinking avoiding it in the first place. Somehow I got it in my head that this film would be lame, but I taught myself a lesson after watching what I have to call a superb film.
Set in the 2030’s in Great Britain, V for Vendetta is the story of the loyal subjects of the iron fisted fascist dictator chancellor Adam Sutler (John Hurt) who proves the saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely. When Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) runs into some trouble after being out after curfew she's aided by a masked stranger who introduces himself only as V. V (Hugo Weaving) then takes Evey into his world and tries to show her what’s wrong with hers. He also lets her in on his plan to dismantle the government and unseat the hard to reach dictator. It’s at this point that Evey must decide whether to open her eyes to the lies of the government or try to go back to being blind to the truth. V himself is faced with constant obstacles such as getting the people on his side and eliminating the people from his past that have not only scorned him but in turn created him. One thing's for sure, V’s actions (while almost terrorist like) can lead to only one end, either his demise or the support of the people towards his cause and hopefully their mental and physical freedom.
Now although I didn’t give this film a chance when it was in theaters, I should have known better. The people involved in V for Vendetta’s creation alone should have given me some inclination as to its potential. First of all the general idea for the film came from a comic that goes back to the early eighties, and it was translated to film by the Wachowski Brothers, who you should know are the creators of the Matrix trilogy. The director James McTeigue is no stranger to great works either being that he’s been involved as assistant director not only on The Matrix but Star Wars as well. I believe it’s this culmination of great direction and creative writing that lead to a spectacular film. Also the great direction lends a big hand to the great acting: first of all the star V although never showing his face really makes you believe in his cause which as I said at times seem terrorist like. None the less he makes you hope for him to reach his goals. I thought it a little amusing that Hugo Weaving never shows his face in this film, which I chalk up to the fact that he has a despised face after playing Mr. Smith in the Matrix trilogy.
Even though V is the main character, I think that the most important character in the movie would have to be that of Evey Hammond. Natalie Portman really proves that she can still be versatile even after her long work in the Star Wars films. What she does mostly for V for Vendetta is to get you to sympathize and relate to her. Her fear against power is in us all a little and she reminds us of that, more importantly she shows us all that there’s strength in all of us and that it can come out under the right circumstances -- especially fighting for a just cause. Of course the chancellor’s role was important and John Hurt as usual played the crazy mean man of power perfectly.
Notable mention has to go to a couple of supporting actors; Stephen Fry, who plays a man who you would expect to be cowardly but instead faced with the want for freedom, can stand up for his convictions. Also the character of Inspector Adam Sutler played by Stephen Rea is an important one which I thought was played right showing that there’s good in all of us.
Really a lot went into this film other than acting and directing such as the good lighting and color (a rarity for an action movie - especially one translated from a comic). These films are usually too dark to the point that you can’t see the characters and fights when they are in shadows but thankfully in this movie even the dark scenes can be easily and clearly seen. Another aspect that doesn’t always make too much of a difference is the music. The music in V for Vendetta helped to carry your mood along with that of the characters. Music is used in all films but I don’t usually feel it bringing me into the film like it did in this one.
Now as far as the action scenes go, they were filmed wonderfully but whether there should have been more or not I cant really say - there were actually only a few and they were awesome. Quite possibly more would have been aesthetically pleasing but i'm not going to second guess the creators because they pulled it off with the few they had. I was left wanting more but strangely at the same time I was satisfied.
On this DVD you’ll also find a making of the film which is relatively long but also gives a lot of insight into the project. In closing I have to say that I insist if you haven’t seen V for Vendetta you rush out and buy it ASAP even if you have seen it then I know you’ll agree its something you’re going to need to add to your collection. - Dean Martell.
