Movie Review: V for Vendetta (2005)

Inspirational classic (to be) on social justice 10/10
Reviewed by Brian R. Wright [original review 20070622]

Screenplay by Andy Wachowski,
Larry Wachowski
Directed by James McTeigue

Natalie Portman … Evey
Hugo Weaving … V
Stephen Rea … Finch
Stephen Fry … Deitrich
John Hurt … Adam Sutler

People should not be afraid of their governments; governments should be afraid of their people.—V

Editor’s Note 7/4/2018 — There is none higher for an Independence Day moviethon; I also recommend Last of the Mohicans and a fair number of the other movies I review.

Editor’s Note 4/4/2011— I’m using V for Vendetta in lieu of my regular column this week. Every time I view the movie, I get more out of it. Pick up little statements or nuances missed the previous time. For example, on this most recent occasion (yesterday) it dawned on me how close American society is approaching the police state methods of this fictional theocratic-fascist England of the future: black bags, beatings, SWAT teams with benign mottos, warrantless searches, breaking down doors, hauling people away without trial never to be seen again, the complicit media, and the docile, cowering population. I wish for a real V to right these wrongs and fight for justice, free the political prisoners. Growing impatient am I for the restoration of the Republic. [Note, it also occurs to me how parallel the fictional government’s intentional killing of its own citizens was to our own government’s orchestration of the self-murderous 9/11 attacks.] — bw

In the early days of Free State existence we were all excited by the Wachowski brothers (The Matrix) next cinematic innovation. What better to follow a work of sci-fi Kung Foo mysticism than a work of sci-fi swashbuckling libertarian justice. (I include a passage on our night to out to see V in Merrimack, in my book New Pilgrim Chronicles.) Continue reading

Movie Review: V for Vendetta (2005)

Inspirational classic to be, on social justice (9/10)

vendettaPeople should not be afraid of their governments; governments should be afraid of their people.— V

Editor’s Note: 01/25/2017. Per a recent guest column, it appears the Donald will be another Chancellor Adam Sutler from the movie… with help from a continuation of monstrous inside forces. People, get out your Guy Fawkes masks and proceed to the ramparts. — bw

Editor’s Note 11/2/2016—Perhaps this movie is a perfect symbol of the stirrings in the heart of the people for liberty… after decades of abuse by the Men of the Power Sickness. Are such hopes what animate the Trump Revolution? Decidedly so. Will Donald Trump as President betray the libertarian passions of those who got him elected? No one knows for sure, but if he simply sets up one New World Order for another… “Remember, Remember the 5th of November.” — V

Editor’s Note 4/4/2011— I’m using V for Vendetta in lieu of my regular column this week. Every time I view the movie, I get more out of it. Pick up little statements or nuances missed the previous time. For example, on this most recent occasion (yesterday) it dawned on me how close American society is approaching the police state methods of this fictional theocratic-fascist England of the future: black bags, beatings, SWAT teams with benign mottos, warrantless searches, breaking down doors, hauling people away without trial never to be seen again, the complicit media, and the docile, cowering population. I wish for a real V to right these wrongs and fight for justice, free the political prisoners. Growing impatient am I for the restoration of the Republic. [Note, it also occurs to me how parallel the fictional government’s intentional killing of its own citizens was to our own government’s orchestration of the self-murderous 9/11 attacks.] — bw

In the early days of Free State existence we were all excited by the Wachowski brothers (The Matrix) next cinematic innovation.  What better to follow a work of sci-fi Kung Foo mysticism than a work of sci-fi swashbuckling libertarian justice.  (I include a passage on our night out to see V in Merrimack, in my book.) Continue reading