V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta (2006)
film review / analysis
written by: Gavin Miller 

Acting: 10
Direction: 10
Score: 10
Visuals: 10
Cinematography: 10
Script: 10
Story/plot: 10
Editing: 10
Action/dialog: 10
Characters: 10

Final percent: 100%

Two sentence review: V for Vendetta is a masterful, thought-provoking, and poignant action film that doubles as a drama and a criticism of society. This film is extremely entertaining, and very visceral; by the end of the film I was completely enthralled as I watched the spectacular finale unfold.

Full review: James McTeigue's V for Vendetta is to me, one of the few absolutely perfect films out there. I have not read the Alan Moore graphic novel that this picture is adapted from (I plan to read it soon!), so do not expect any comparisons between the two in this review. The more I think about it this film, and the more I watch it, the more I think it may be my all time favorite movie. I think that the idea behind the film really makes it works. If I were to read the premise of V for Vendetta on paper, I would be very anxious to watch a movie about that, and lucky we have one. And, luckily, it explores all it's themes in depth, without even becoming cliche or heavy handed. Also, another reason this movie is so interesting, is because it is relevant. Now obviously we don't live in a totalitarian society - but still the political themes portrayed in the film are more than obviously symbolic of some things going on present-day. The dialog in V for Vendetta is definitely one of my favorite things in the entire movie, I consider it to be the best, most quotable dialog ever written for a film; quotes from this movie cover my Facebook page. Also, the visual style is so great. It's dark, realistic, and the cinematography is beautiful. Take the finale for example, the long shots are sprawling and epic, and gives us the audience the best visual idea possible of the revolution. Hugo Weaving was perfect as the character V. Sure, we never actually see his face, but Weaving pulls off something amazing, he brings emotion to his character, even though he is wearing an emotionless mask throughout the majority of the picture. Natalie Portman also really shines as Evey, she brings incredible depth to her character. Overall, V for Vendetta is an ambitious, potent and explosive film that succeeds in every way possible, and does so in nothing less than spectacular fashion. It may just be my favorite film.


Favorite quote: "Beneath this mask there is more than flesh. Beneath this mask there is an idea, Mr. Creedy, and ideas are bulletproof."