I have just returned from seeing the film V for Vendetta.
(Fear not, those of you who worry that I might spoil the film for you. I promise not to.)
I had in my mind that it was going to be an action film. When the credits began to roll and "DC Comics" spun across the screen, I figured I was in for two hours of torture.
I left utterly blown away in ways that films do not normally blow me.
V for Vendetta is a masterpiece. It is, quite likely, one of the finest-crafted films I've ever seen. I do enjoy the action genre simply because I like being on the edge of my seat for two hours. But there is never substance to blockbuster action films. There is never artistry behind the script, the soundtrack, the directing. Acting is never its most memorable quality. These things are reserved for the independent/art film genre, or the occasional Hollywood blossom like American Beauty or K-Pax. (Trust me, I had no intention of mentioning two Kevin Spacey films as examples of Hollywood blossoms, and I didn't realize I had done it until after the titles were typed.)
V for Vendetta is a superior film in every aspect. The script, as a piece of literature, is astounding. Upon first appearance of the masked character "V," he delivers the longest alliterative speech I've ever heard. I didn't know it was humanly possible for the letter "v" to be used so many times in 90 seconds (in a coheret speech). Some of Shakespeare's most brilliant and ironic quotations are used liberally throughout the film.
The script, as a work of substance, is both timeless, and timely. You will shudder at how real the world of the film seems, and how possible it is that our future might lie along the same path. But it hearkens back to the timeless themes of revolution and revolutionaries (Guy Fawkes, most notably) that have existed ever since man decided to govern himself.
The characters are brilliant. "V" brings to mind the great, doomed heroes of Hugo's Phoebus and Dumas' Count of Monte Cristo (who, coincidentally, is a hero of "V"). The greatest heroes are those you're not entirely sure you should love, and the greatest villains are those you're not entirely sure you should hate, and this film performs flawlessly on both ends.
These things, amazingly enough, do not get in the way of the film's strength as an action flick. The frat boys behind us enjoyed the explosions and knife fights, completely oblivious to the themes of oppression, revolution, separation (or marriage) of church and state, abuse of executive power... No doubt had they realized such themes were playing in the background, they would not have enjoyed the movie nearly as much. It is a testament to the film that it can be thoroughly enjoyed by separate groups who each scorn the others' taste in films.
The soundtrack is a blend of great classical masterpieces and original scoring...and, as a perfect soundtrack should be...never makes itself noticeable unless it is MEANT to be noticed.
I always criticize directors for casting famous actors in their films, because we're immediately drawn away from a character out of recognition of the actor who is playing the character. Only a handful of actors with superlative talent seem to be able to transcend this boundary. This is my biggest criticism of actors. But shoot me dead if I didn't realize until after the movie was over that Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving were the lead characters. There is not a single weak performance in this film. Not a single one.
The director's unique use of masks is very unconventional in this film genre. True, "Superheroes" always wear masks, and much is made of that metaphor. But V for Vendetta takes the imagery to a different level. Here I cannot expound without giving away some of the film's most powerful moments, so you'll just have to see it to understand.
I can go on, but I shouldn't. Suffice it to say that this is one of the finest films I have ever seen. It spans so many genres so effortlessly. Do yourself a favor and go see it.
(Fear not, those of you who worry that I might spoil the film for you. I promise not to.)
I had in my mind that it was going to be an action film. When the credits began to roll and "DC Comics" spun across the screen, I figured I was in for two hours of torture.
I left utterly blown away in ways that films do not normally blow me.
V for Vendetta is a masterpiece. It is, quite likely, one of the finest-crafted films I've ever seen. I do enjoy the action genre simply because I like being on the edge of my seat for two hours. But there is never substance to blockbuster action films. There is never artistry behind the script, the soundtrack, the directing. Acting is never its most memorable quality. These things are reserved for the independent/art film genre, or the occasional Hollywood blossom like American Beauty or K-Pax. (Trust me, I had no intention of mentioning two Kevin Spacey films as examples of Hollywood blossoms, and I didn't realize I had done it until after the titles were typed.)
V for Vendetta is a superior film in every aspect. The script, as a piece of literature, is astounding. Upon first appearance of the masked character "V," he delivers the longest alliterative speech I've ever heard. I didn't know it was humanly possible for the letter "v" to be used so many times in 90 seconds (in a coheret speech). Some of Shakespeare's most brilliant and ironic quotations are used liberally throughout the film.
The script, as a work of substance, is both timeless, and timely. You will shudder at how real the world of the film seems, and how possible it is that our future might lie along the same path. But it hearkens back to the timeless themes of revolution and revolutionaries (Guy Fawkes, most notably) that have existed ever since man decided to govern himself.
The characters are brilliant. "V" brings to mind the great, doomed heroes of Hugo's Phoebus and Dumas' Count of Monte Cristo (who, coincidentally, is a hero of "V"). The greatest heroes are those you're not entirely sure you should love, and the greatest villains are those you're not entirely sure you should hate, and this film performs flawlessly on both ends.
These things, amazingly enough, do not get in the way of the film's strength as an action flick. The frat boys behind us enjoyed the explosions and knife fights, completely oblivious to the themes of oppression, revolution, separation (or marriage) of church and state, abuse of executive power... No doubt had they realized such themes were playing in the background, they would not have enjoyed the movie nearly as much. It is a testament to the film that it can be thoroughly enjoyed by separate groups who each scorn the others' taste in films.
The soundtrack is a blend of great classical masterpieces and original scoring...and, as a perfect soundtrack should be...never makes itself noticeable unless it is MEANT to be noticed.
I always criticize directors for casting famous actors in their films, because we're immediately drawn away from a character out of recognition of the actor who is playing the character. Only a handful of actors with superlative talent seem to be able to transcend this boundary. This is my biggest criticism of actors. But shoot me dead if I didn't realize until after the movie was over that Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving were the lead characters. There is not a single weak performance in this film. Not a single one.
The director's unique use of masks is very unconventional in this film genre. True, "Superheroes" always wear masks, and much is made of that metaphor. But V for Vendetta takes the imagery to a different level. Here I cannot expound without giving away some of the film's most powerful moments, so you'll just have to see it to understand.
I can go on, but I shouldn't. Suffice it to say that this is one of the finest films I have ever seen. It spans so many genres so effortlessly. Do yourself a favor and go see it.
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