Before beginning a review of V for Vendetta, the new action film by the Matrix trilogy team of Larry and Andy Wachowski, it would be prudent to address the fact that although the movie does indeed pepper references to modern day headlines throughout (like Iraq, the Coalition of the Willing, etc), the graphic novel upon which it was based was written in the 1980s. So while many will see George Bush's government in the villains of the film, it is actually a hypothetical future of Britain, written just after Thatcher's conservative government won its third term.
Based on the superb and groundbreaking graphic novel by Alan Moore (From Hell, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen), V for Vendetta takes place in a dystopian England of the future, now ruled with an iron fist by a fascist conservative government that has outlawed religious diversity, homosexuality and free speech. It has also been using live humans for horrific scientific experiments.
Enter "V" (Hugo Weaving), a mysterious avenger in a Guy Fawkes mask who is part Batman, part Zorro and part Phantom of the Opera. V wants revenge on those who wronged him, and also wants to take down those in power. He enlists the aid of Evey (Natalie Portman), a girl he rescues from being raped by the police after being caught out past curfew, and together they must start the revolution.
The movie stays very much in the spirit of the source material, although it does stray from the original story arc from time to time for the sake of narrative, and also presumably to keep American audiences from getting bored or confused with subtlety. This is an action flick, of this there is no doubt, but it is a thinking man's action flick with plenty of symbolism and ideas. It will certainly provoke thought on questions, like "What is the difference between a freedom fighter and a terrorist, besides perspective?".
Ultimately, V for Vendetta is an above-average action movie, with superb performances by Portman and Weaving (the latter notably because we never see his face or mouth) which will make those on the left wonder for our own world's future. Those on the right will see it as so much liberal artsy pretentious propaganda designed to make millions for Hollywood. Regardless of how you will ultimately feel about the film, the fact it has already inspired strong feelings from both sides of the political fence is a testament to its power, and the genius in the original graphic novel.
Whether you enjoy it on a political level or just as pure escapist action fantasy is up to you.
