Film Review--V for Vendetta

I've talked about it here before, but I've really been enjoying the movies released in the last few years based upon comics and graphic novels. Whether it's because the special effects allow for more faithful adaptations or directors who grew up fans of graphic novels are now old enough and experienced enough to be given substantial projects, the sub-genre has really come into its own. V for Vendetta, based on Alan Moore's work, is no exception and, with quality performers and kinetic action, it has a lot of life, even if it doesn't quite achieve what films like Sin City have.

In his first directorial effort, James McTeague directs Hugo Weaving as V, the Guy Fawkes-masked revolutionary bent on destroying the England that John Hurt has created, and Natalie Portman as Evey, V's muse, enemy, love, and alliterative namesake, through an alternate Earth that comes shockingly close to the reality in which we now live (the original novel was published between 1982 and 1985). V, in creating a cult of personality through extravagently choreographed terrorist acts, is able to rally the thoughtless masses around him to bring down a corrupt, fascist government.

Unfortunately for this production, though, its best aspect is also its worst. The politics of the movie are sound, and consistent in the imagined world but, because it’s an alternate reality, there are definitely moments, especially at the beginning, where the exposition feels entirely too heavy-handed. By the time all the explanations are though, you feel like there’s a hammer dent in your skull, but then it’s over and it gets to the nitty-gritty of the picture: the action and intrigue that really make this a fun film. All the performances, except Portman’s, who plays it all with maybe a little too much dignity, are sufficiently hammy. This is not a character study and the brush strokes are exactly as broad as they should be. The action is well-directed, and produced the film and were the people behind The Matrix) comes throuthe style of the Wachowski Brothers (who prgh here, almost as if McTeague had less of a hand in the production than his directorial credit would imply. The details in this style, even if the final product isn’t masterwork, allow for multiple enjoyable viewings, though, and the performances are fun enough that they won’t get tiring on repeat.

As far as the future of movies adapted from graphic novels, I’m not sure. I do know, however, that Frank Miller’s 300 will be coming out sooner than later, and that is the one that could really take the whole thing over the top. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.