Friday, May 18, 2007
Review of V for Vendetta (2005)
So when I finished watching this film, I turned on CNN and the first story I hear is that NYC Police monitored many rap artists and groups that were part of the protest over the 2004 GOP national convention that was held in New York. Then trying to find this story online, I ran into an article on this new War Czar... are we living in 1939 Germany? Homeland = Fatherland, invasion of countries preemptively under the guise of national security, "Free Speech Zones", secret police monitoring peaceful assemblies, warrantless wire-tapping, we need a War Czar? I was frightened when we passed the Patriot Act, but things have gotten worse. Cleave to your liberties while you still have them, guard them closely. When our government decides to blame any one type of individual, then run.
Or maybe I am extra paranoid because of the amazing film I just watched. Two thumbs ups :-) Absolutely Awesome!
Next I will have to read the graphic novel, luckily I have a copy of it thanks to a friend of mine.
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6 comments:
Just saw this one last night, myself.
The film deftly walks a fine line between being a cautionary tale of waning civil liberties, and an over-reactionary piece of political propaganda.... but never really crosses it.
In any case, I liked the movie very much. Hugo Weaving gives an excellent performance, especially considering we never see his face.
I do have one vexation that won't subside however; The fact that V struggles against a tyrannical, murderous regime explicitly by murdering others himself... or even by intentionally putting innocents in harm's way... And let's not mention the rather disturbing episode where he imprisons and tortures Portman's character "to help her face her fears". I'm sure one can always throw a "...but for the greater good!" tagline onto these things, but that doesn't prevent the sentiment from feeling more than a little disingenuous at times.
But that in itself is quite relavent to current events, too, methinks. I'm reminded of what Nietzche says in Beyond Good and Evil: "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster."
V is an anti-hero that is willing to commit smaller evils to bring about what he believes is a greater good... and as today's headlines prove, that's a slippery slope to tread.
All in all though, great movie, and I'm glad I finally saw it. :)
V admits to being a monster. He was created with hatred and cruelty of a government gone mad. Therefore, he too was mad. His struggle was against the structure in place, the government devoid of the voice of reason, he was not concerned with "breaking eggs" - innocents :-) Now, I think this policy is twisted, but I still loved the character.
And keep in mind when you say it borders on propaganda, the graphic novel it was based on was written in 1982 (though I no clue how close to the movie it was).
And was Beyond Good and Evil written before or after Nietzche's syphilis drove him insane? ;-) j/k
I'm fairly certain Nietzche would argue that madness and genius are not far removed. :P
And on an interesting side note: I've read that he likely did not have syphilis, as common knowledge might have us believe. There's no evidence of any of the physical maladies normally associated with the disease, and he lived for quite some time with his mental illness; far longer than one would with the rapid onset of the end stages of syphilis.
So he was probably just insane. :P His rather unpopular disdain for religion, however, made him an easy target for rumor and speculation; and since syphilis was all the rage for such at the time...
Anyways: No doubt that V is a compelling and interesting character... I liked him quite a bit myself. LOVED the Fawkes mask. :)
...and I'm fairly certain that there's no expiration date on propaganda. Be it written in 1942, 1982, 2002, we know it when we see it. ;) But even if V were some Leftist piece of anti-establishment tripe (which it isn't), its social relevance and reflection of the times cannot be denied.
Remember, remember the fifth of November!
Remember, remember the fifth of November.
Now I am VERY excited to see this movie. Thank you Celestial Minister of Evil for providing us with one so graciously. I will refrain from discussion until I have seen it. You guys already know how I feel about politics and the political agenda of the inbreds running our country.
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