v for vendetta [blu-ray]

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-29
Almost as good as IMAX
The graphic Novel was excellent, but apart from that, the blue-ray disc is about as good as you can get outside of seeing this film on IMAX.

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-27
Not what I expected from the packaging
This film wasn't what I expected, from what I could glean of it from the cover picture and the blurb on the back of the case. I assumed V had a silent role, and that the film would be set somewhere in the former Communist eastern Europe.

Once I watched it, however, I ended up getting much more than I bargained for. In short, this movie can be interpreted as a very stern warning to those who abuse power---and reminds us who gave them that power. John Hurt plays perfectly the megalomaniacal chancellor who is consumed by a desire to control everything in sight, and Natalie Portman does an excellent job of portraying Evey, who first regrets being caught up in the deadly game V plays with his former tormentors, but finally becomes his willing tool.

I agree with some of the other reviewers that this movie has scenes which appear to be based on events in real life, as well as scenes from other movies. The analogy of the chancellor to Hitler is obvious, with the oversized symbol, marching before the platform, effective use of red and black to reinforce the propaganda effect, and the suggestion of a mentality meant to pervade all; the chancellor's chief servants eventually start to turn on each other, with disastrous results to his cabinet, a clear indictment of the infighting which shook the Bush administration to its core; the subway scene near the end, in which Portman cradles the dying V a la Luke Skywalker toward the end of "Return of the Jedi"; the ruling party's infuriation at being parodied, so reminiscent of Fidel Castro's ire toward the late cartoonist Antonio Prohias; the ending with thousands of extras which was based on an actual incident in the former Yugoslavia which resulted in the downfall of Milosevic's regime; and V's disguise, his chivalrous manner, and his expertise with blades, so reminiscent of Zorro. V reminds us in brutally graphic fashion why a gentleman should never hit a lady. The only thing absent from real life is the character who holds to account everyone who took part in the conspiracy which brought them to power; presumably, that is the greatest fear of some of our leaders who've failed us (and you know who you are).

As for the plot, I found it easy to follow despite its complexity and the penchant which most British film makers seem to have for dwelling a little too much on drama. About the worst I can say of this movie, however, is that Hugo Weaving as V can be a bit of a motormouth, though an impressively prosy and witty one. We eventually realize that a number of elements are introduced into the plot as it progresses, but the makers of this film do a good job of tying up all the loose ends and bringing the bouquet together, as the villainous party members take to feuding with each other as V picks them off one by one... except for the last, who finds out the hard way what it will be like to live in a changed world in which he is stripped of his power. Can you say "emotionally castrating"?

The crowning virtue of this film is the question of V's true identity. We realize at the end that the question is a moot point, but we still want to see the man behind the mask. But then, V wouldn't want me to spoil the ending, now would he?

I fully recommend this film. Control freaks will find it traumatizing, but I daresay the rest of us will find it well worth the price.

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-26
Good movie, but...
the chances of anyone having to fight off a regime of oppressive Christians is almost non-existant. It would have been much better if the government was being oppresive based on environmentalism or a police state for "our security". Small gripe, but a gripe none-the-less. Otherwise it's a pretty good action flick and a good reason to check the power of the state.

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-19
The best reinvention of a superhero, EVER!!!
I'd put "V" in my top twenty any day of the week.
He's super bad, I loved the costume, his fighting style.
The movie has brains and brawn.
I think it spoke a lot of where our government is heading.
An absolute must see for anyone who values not only our freedom but our constitution.
Touching and powerful it's not even fair to call it a superhero movie.
It's a statement about our humanity and how easily it can be taken from us.
One of the best movies I've ever seen period.
Rent or buy it, NOW!!!

Rating:
Date: 2008-06-15
Long Live V

A very underrated film that with all thats going on the world makes for interesting viewing, the comic was written during Mrs Thatcher period in office and years later makes you think. In the UK you didnt really notice the film and Im one of the many people that found it on DVD and just loved the film.. The Blu Ray version has all the extras from the DVD but with the crisp quality and great sound. This will work on a UK Region B player and
well worth the money.

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