V for Vendetta [Blu-ray]

Genre : DVD ( Blu-ray )
Release : 2008/05/20
Price : $13.99

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"Remember, remember the fifth of November," for on this day, in 2020, the minds of the masses shall be set free. So says code-name V (Hugo Weaving), a man on a mission to shake society out of its blank complacent stares in the film V For Vendetta. His tactics, however, are a bit revolutionary to say the least. The world in which V lives is very similar to Orwell's totalitarian dystopia in 1984: after years of various wars, England is now under "big brother" Chancellor Adam Sutler (played by John Hurt, who ironically played Winston Smith in the movie 1984) whose party uses force and fear to run the nation. After gaining power, minorities and political dissenters were rounded up and removed; artistic and unacceptable religious works were confiscated. Cameras and microphones are littered throughout the land, and the people are perpetually sedated through the governmentally controlled media. Taking inspiration from Guy Fawkes, the 17th century co-conspirator of a failed attempt to blow up Parliament on November 5, 1605, V dons a Fawkes mask and costume and sets off to wake the masses by destroying the symbols of their oppressors, literally and figuratively. At the beginning of his vendetta, V rescues Evey (Natalie Portman) from a group of police officers and has her live with him in his underworld lair. It is through their relationship where we learn how V became V, the extremities of the party's corruption, the problems of an oppressive government, V's revenge plot and his philosophy on how to induce change.

Based on the popular graphic novel by Alan Moore, V For Vendetta's screenplay was written by the Wachowski Brothers (of The Matrix fame) and directed by their protégé, James McTeigue. Controversy and criticism followed the film since its inception, from the hyper-stylized use of anarchistic terrorism to overthrow a corrupt government and the blatant jabs at the current US political arena, to graphic novel fans complaining about the reconstruction of Alan Moore's original vision (Moore himself has dismissed the film). Many are valid critiques and opinions, but there's no hiding the message the film is trying to express: Radical and drastic events often need to occur in order to shake people out of their state of indifference in order to bring about real change. Unfortunately, the movie only offers a means with no ends, and those looking for answers may find the film stylish, but a bit empty. --Rob Bracco

A great movie! Dramatic, entertaining, action filled. My favorite part is when V introduces himself. It simply does not get better than that. Remember, remember the fifth of November!

Some of you guys and gals may have read 1984, Animal Farm, Brave new world, or Fahrenheit 451, and we all know they pull off the genre 'dystopian' magnificentely. Let me tell you people, this movie fits that genre perfectly.

Thought-provoking, intense, and confusing for the undereducated, this movie has its twists and turns, and if you're one of those paranoid people that's afraid the government is watching you, this is the movie for you. Originally Alan Moore wrote the graphic novel before this movie even came out, but he doesn't like the notorious hollywood all too well to have his name listed as the writer.

The two main characters share an interesting relationship, and government is in more of a national socialist form in this movie, yet it also constitutes stereotypes and ethnic hate, something...hmm... some governments do today! This movie will make you realize there are people out there that will rise up against the masses for what they believe is right and wrong, and let me tell you folks, the power that one vigilante can do to influence a whole nation, he opened their eyes to the corruption and immorality their government held with it.

It also makes us realize that the word 'terrorist' is thrown around excessively, if someone earns this title by simply standing up for what they believe in, and let's just say anyone hearing that word labeled to someone is not only a stereotype, but it makes a default hate for anyone who hears it about this person.

All in all, this movie makes me think of what could be, what is and what could have been of this world. And what creates the chaos and hate of this world. Watch it, it's an awesome movie.

I am a big fan of anything and anyone that asks WHY. It is the type of question ridiculed, and least easily answered. This movie brings to the forefront how a government can quickly go from the minimal required to ensure that free trustworthy citizens can go about their life, to an overprotective, lying, ends justifies the means tyrant system.

I do find it ironic that it takes place in England, a monarchy. I thought for sure the only better setting would be the republic of the united states of america, or the republic of france. That is my only critique, as the film does a great job at questioning what is worth losing freedom for... Money, security?... These will evaporate, and you will only be left with a tyrant society. SO WHY do we allow it???

I think I know, but I don't want to be just another person using Amazon reviews to make a political point today. All in all, it is a great film. Enjoy...

Rarely do you find an action movie that combines good acting, a well developed plot and characters, excellent effects, and a thought provoking message. V for Vendetta has all of those in full measure. Highly recommended.

This is not a movie for the faint-of-heart. It reaches down into the very root of the modern political warmaking machine and totally debunks the War on Terror (TM) (copyright) with all its sloganeering and xenophobia. I'm not sure the latter was intended by the movie's producers... it looks more like an attempt to analyze the mindset of hyperambitious politician-types. Nevertheless, the larger message becomes hard to avoid as the movie unfolds because it mirrors our government's actions post-911.

If you're into feelgood fairytales, this is clearly not the movie for you.