V for Review Article by aviewaskewed, 03:01 AM 20th Mar Disclaimer: The following column is entirely the opinions of the author (even at that we aren‘t sure), any similarity to the opinions of any other staff or affiliate of theendlesscrew.com is entirely coincidental and unintentional. Unless specifically noted otherwise, all creator comments have been gleaned from other sources and no creators have actually endorsed any aspect of this column. Review week here, another big comic book movie, another amateur critical review. “I am more then the man under this mask, I am an idea…and ideas, are bullet proof” “Remember! Remember! The fifth of November! The gunpowder treason and plot! I see no reason, why the gun powder treason, should ever be forgot!” V for Vendetta opened on Friday, St. Patrick’s day. While it would have been better had it opened on the fifth of November, Guy Fawkes’s day. It would perhaps have been insensitive in light of the London subway bombings, or perhaps it really was just the special effects weren’t ready in time. I leave that decision to you, dear reader. V is easily the most controversial of comic book films ever to open, much of the controversy has been brewing for months and months before the film even opened. So many misconceptions, half-truths, and outright lies have permeated about the flick, that I have some small fear that some may not go and see it, because they may be buying into this stuff, and won’t give the movie a shot on it’s own merits. So this is why I will attempt to examine the film, relatively spoiler free (but we must discuss some aspects of the plot to really focus on what works and doesn’t. If you don’t wish to know anything about the movie’s plot, best to skip down then to my summation of whether or not the film is worth seeing) and see if I can’t convince the fence sitters to buy a ticket. No tricks, no lies, only truth. I’ll begin with the obvious question fans of the original graphic novel, or those curious as to if Alan Moore removed his name from the film because it radically deviates from his original story are asking: How true is it to the original? There is the answer given by David Lloyd, which is true, it is about 80% true to the original. Many of the plot points involving the victims V takes, his blowing up of the Old Bailey to begin the movie, and his meeting with Evey Hammond are all pretty much intact. The killings are a bit tamer here, and less inventive then in the comics. It’s in fact nearly the same method each and every time. I was upset about this, not because I necessarily want to see inventive death, but the comics had the method of killing or torture fitting the crime, and it also left the reader to make the verdict of whether or not they felt V’s means justified his ends. This is probably a two fold process in that the film makers changed this so as to trim the film down, but also to make V a bit less sadistic seeming, and more likeable to the audience. Evey also departs from her comic book counterpart a bit here. She is older, and has more will of her own in the film. Evey begins as someone who knows the government and the media is full of shit, yet she works within that industry, and like those around her, has simply become a part of the system. She still sees the flaws, but chooses to do nothing about them. Much like the citizenry of these United States some would say. She also is not as willing to embrace V in the beginning but that is also true of the comics, it’s just that there doesn’t quite seem to be a catalyzing event for her initial flight, as much as she just simply could not believe in this man in the first place, but the seed is planted. I also actually wound up enjoying Evey’s relationship with Gordon, who in the film becomes her boss, rather then another man rescuing her as in the comics, to perhaps be MORE enjoyable then the original rendition. Perhaps that’s because it leads to one of my favorite parts in the film as Gordon does a hilarious bit on his show (a variation of such American staples as The Tonight Show) which parodies an interview with the leader, and V. It’s a great bit of comedy in an otherwise heavy and unrelenting film, and a welcome addition. As for the man himself, V is more humanized here. He cries in one scene, and is a bit more open with his feelings, and seems to at times not always be staunchly in control of himself and his actions. I thought something like this might annoy me, but so much else of the character is so dead on, that I didn’t mind him being a tad more emotional. Hugo Weaving does a wonderful job of portraying a character that has no moveable facial expressions to assist him. He has to get this performance through with only his voice, and well chosen gestures, and I frankly feel he absolutely nailed it here. Great job Mr. Weaving. The Leader and his cohorts are made all and all bad here. Again, I think this has to do with timing, and perhaps trying to make a bit more of a “good guy vs. bad guy” dichotomy for the audience. I thought this would be a much bigger problem for me then it really came off as being. The message about how power corrupts, and when we allow the wrong people into power, the consequences are dire still comes through. Although the conspiracy aspect of that rise to power feels a bit heavy handed…though it does ring eerily true to some of the things that are now currently coming out about 9/11 and it’s aftermath. However, the spirit of what Alan Moore and David Lloyd created remains intact here. This is still a story about choices, about the fact that power ultimately lies with the people, and if they so choose, they can tear down a system that does not work, and rebuild one that does. There was some dissention surrounding if the films message had been changed from that of the book, if it was now “Democracy vs. Facism”. How this debate started I don’t know, but all slighted Anarchists out there can be assured that this film is NOT a promotion of Democracy over Fascism, but is still Anarchy, TRUE Anarchy, as a perfect state. It just isn’t given the space and time to really be explained the way it was in the comic. If you loved the graphic novel, you can go see this movie knowing the spirit of what was done there remains intact. Buy yourself a ticket, and open up your mind. Back to Rants