Review: V for Vendetta

It's generally a bad sign for a movie when the author of the work it's based on asks to have his name removed from the promotion and credits. However, while I completely sympathize with Alan Moore's decision it doesn't detract from what is still an incredibly involved, well written story.

V for Vendetta is an adaptation of the comic book by the same name. Set in a near-futuristic U.K., V's character is a Phantom-esque figure determined to be the anarchistic balance against the totalitarian society he lives in. He is a patriot, a staunch supporter of the ideologies behind his country - and yet, stands firmly against the oppressive nature of the government running it. It's a fascinating tale, and it does credit to the filmmakers that they managed to retain at least that much of the character.

Where the movie changed course from the original is the relevance the filmmakers decided to place on today's events. "America's War" is the cause for all of the troubles happening in the world, and from what little we could gleam in the movie we - meaning America - are paying the price. We're reduced to begging merry old England for help, offering wheat and tobacco for assistance and looked down upon with disdain; the care packages, it is suggested, should be dumped into the river in the way the early colonists dumped English tea into the bay.

"England Prevails" is the mantra repeated over and over; it does, but in an intense police state that is all too reminscent of Nazi Germany. Tolerance is...intolerated. To be different is to be anti-government, and anything that the government does not want...must go. Quietly, into that night, never to be seen again.

Natalie Portman does a surprisingly strong turn as the heroine Evey in the movie, a frail girl who discovers her own strength as the movie progresses. She does exceptionally well in expressing her fear - a cowering, shuddering, bawling, emotional mess as a direct counter to the expressionless, charismatic, dignified V, played by Hugo Weaving.

Weaving (Agent Smith from "the Matrix") is in a thankless role here; not once throughout the movie do you ever see his face, an oddity in the Hollywood world. He remains in character from start to finish, his face hidden behind the porcelain Guy Fawkes mask that both protects his identity and defines his quest. He represents Anarchy, the counterpoint to British Totalitarianism - and does so with a flair and grace that brings up memories of the England of Olde. And yet, he is mad - completely so, but there is genius in his madness.

Did I like the movie? Simply put, yes; while the original message of the Alan Moore story is lost, this is still an enjoyable movie that should spark plenty of discussion among the more cerebral of you. Would I recommend it to everyone? No.

Understand, this is not the action movie it appears to be. This is a walking, talking philosophical discussion on a socio-political scale. This movie intends that you think, that you lean back in your chair and ponder the current state of the world and how fear of living in this world affects you, and others around you.

It just happens to do so with a lot of killing.

On a 5-scale, the Trickster gives it a 3-1/2. Go for the straight 4 if you're into "thinking" movies.