03/19/06 V For Vendetta

V For Vendetta (2005), directed by James McTeigue

watched w/ Leslie; theater (Mission Valley Cinema; Raleigh, NC)

Finally, a movie that not only lives up to its own hype, but continues to mesmerize beyond the trailers and promos throughout the entire film. With a gluttony of graphic novels becoming cartoonish films, this one stands above them with a pertinent historical message. Basically, if we cannot learn from our past, we shall be condemned to repeat it (a quote I'm sure, but from who I don't know). Based on the Alan Moore story, but owing mostly to the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 in which a group of conspirators attempted to blow up Parliament, leaving Guy Fawkes to be the fall guy (a fascinating bit of history...please check it out www.guy-fawkes.com). However, back to the film...set in future London, where government has turned to a totalitarian state, striking fear into society of anything strange or different. Fed the everyday lies for too long, and surviving a horrible medical experiment in his youth, a vigilante fighter "V" (who fancies speaking in alliteration & collecting banned pieces of art while wearing a Guy Fawkes' mask) calls on all to stand up against their native oppressors. Employing the unlikely, and at first unwilling, help of young Evey (Natalie Portman, even hot bald), V uncovers the truth and readies the nation for a revolt. This one will go down with many of the great futuristic, propaganda-filled, heavily censored tales of revolution, like 1984 or Farenheit 451. Directed by the Wachowski Bros.' protege McTeigue; with visuals & pageantry of violence and revolt, the film will be fantastically burned on your brain. "Remember, remember, the 5th of November. The gunpowder treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason, should ever be forgot."

5 out of 5 stars