Based on the graphic novel by David Lloyd
Writor: The Wachowski Brothers
Director: James McTeigue
Director of Photography: Adrian Biddle
Editor: Martin Walsh
Composer: Dario Marianelli
Lead Actor/Actress: Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman
Year: 2005
Being the week of the 4th, here's a film about freedom. It is set in a future England, the totalitarian government of which is corrupt. Like any fascist regime, its power hungry leaders deceive their people into believing the control and bias governing is for their own good.
The film is anti-God and seems to be anti-Christian. Or maybe its anti-God specifically in relation to government. This stems out of observing how those in power often justify their actions in the name of God.
A man, with nothing more for a name than “V”, has been abused by this corrupt system. He has made it his mission to exact revenge and bring the government down with its ideas. He wears a Guy Fawkes mask. According to the movie, Guy Fawkes was a guy who attempted treason in 1605 by blowing up parliament, which failed. Yet is “idea” lives on, and every 5th of November, it is celebrated, Fawkes being the face of the idea.
V is carrying his touch, and his mask. He is scheming to blow up parliament and bring government back down to where it should be.
The message of the film (at least one) is “unity through strength.” The people are encouraged to rally together and stop accepting injustices. They are like caged birds that don’t know the outside air.
At the start, V is the only one taking action. One might ask, “if freedom is so desirable, why don’t more people get on board with changing the course of power?” Indeed, weak people are very easy people to bring under control. In V for Vendetta, the so called ‘seconds’ of society were tragically taken advantage of and abused (perhaps not unlike the Jews). For some reason or another, perhaps for fear, the people did not make a fuss. Thus, the powers that be got away with it.
When people go against the “law”, unjust though it may be, they are often punished for it. What if people value their life more than their rights? A valid point, though maybe a narrow perspective when considering future generations, especially when viewed through our, dare I say, indoctrinated patriotic mindsets. We are benefiting now from the soldiers who fought WW2, though casualties abounded on both sides. Yet here we are, celebrating our freedom, our comfort. We probably wouldn’t be where we are today, if our freedom wasn’t fought for. Revolution often doesn’t come without a cost.
In V for Vendetta, V prevails. But it’s a movie. What happened in real life? The plan was discovered and Guy Fawkes’ was hanged. 15 known attempts were made to assassinate Hitler. We all know that none of them succeeded. I recently saw last year’s film “Valkyrie”. Gen. Stauffenberg had a plan. He had good motives. He was so close to his goal. His action instead had a greater and opposite reaction. Hitler viewed his escape from harm as a blessing from God on his work.
Maybe God is in control of who rules. Maybe God hoped/hopes that His people would not look to the government as their source of security. Maybe God hoped/hopes His people would reach out with a hand of love and mercy to bless the peoples of the world in a way that would set the kingdom of God apart from the kingdom of the world.
What is human and earthly? “Government controls the world so reform government!” What might be the kingdom of God view? In real history, England was on the brink of revolution, but a few rose up, including the Wesleys, not to try and fix a corrupt worldly government, but pour themselves out for the hurting, to get dirty themselves. Perhaps political revolution was no longer needed. Maybe if the whole church did that, the world would be a better place than the government could ever make it!
As far as the production goes, it’s not entirely easy watching. It is sinister. There are very few good guys. And those who are, you wonder if they really are. Things were often filmed in a rather disturbing way.
And then there's the Wachowski's writing, which is always dialog heavy. It often goes below the surface, and perhaps a bit deep for me at times.
Right off, I thought the mask with a guy talking behind it was intriguing. The smiling face is an amusing juxtaposition. It masks a man full of resentment and an identity lost. His purpose is singular and his expression is singular.
Natalie Portman is not very attractive with no hair.
V’s knife fight at the end was impressive. Really like the stylized way the blades left streaks in the air. Ultimately, aside from the message and the character of V, I’m not sure this film will be entirely memorable.
Writor: The Wachowski Brothers
Director: James McTeigue
Director of Photography: Adrian Biddle
Editor: Martin Walsh
Composer: Dario Marianelli
Lead Actor/Actress: Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman
Year: 2005
Being the week of the 4th, here's a film about freedom. It is set in a future England, the totalitarian government of which is corrupt. Like any fascist regime, its power hungry leaders deceive their people into believing the control and bias governing is for their own good.
The film is anti-God and seems to be anti-Christian. Or maybe its anti-God specifically in relation to government. This stems out of observing how those in power often justify their actions in the name of God.
A man, with nothing more for a name than “V”, has been abused by this corrupt system. He has made it his mission to exact revenge and bring the government down with its ideas. He wears a Guy Fawkes mask. According to the movie, Guy Fawkes was a guy who attempted treason in 1605 by blowing up parliament, which failed. Yet is “idea” lives on, and every 5th of November, it is celebrated, Fawkes being the face of the idea.
V is carrying his touch, and his mask. He is scheming to blow up parliament and bring government back down to where it should be.
The message of the film (at least one) is “unity through strength.” The people are encouraged to rally together and stop accepting injustices. They are like caged birds that don’t know the outside air.
At the start, V is the only one taking action. One might ask, “if freedom is so desirable, why don’t more people get on board with changing the course of power?” Indeed, weak people are very easy people to bring under control. In V for Vendetta, the so called ‘seconds’ of society were tragically taken advantage of and abused (perhaps not unlike the Jews). For some reason or another, perhaps for fear, the people did not make a fuss. Thus, the powers that be got away with it.When people go against the “law”, unjust though it may be, they are often punished for it. What if people value their life more than their rights? A valid point, though maybe a narrow perspective when considering future generations, especially when viewed through our, dare I say, indoctrinated patriotic mindsets. We are benefiting now from the soldiers who fought WW2, though casualties abounded on both sides. Yet here we are, celebrating our freedom, our comfort. We probably wouldn’t be where we are today, if our freedom wasn’t fought for. Revolution often doesn’t come without a cost.
In V for Vendetta, V prevails. But it’s a movie. What happened in real life? The plan was discovered and Guy Fawkes’ was hanged. 15 known attempts were made to assassinate Hitler. We all know that none of them succeeded. I recently saw last year’s film “Valkyrie”. Gen. Stauffenberg had a plan. He had good motives. He was so close to his goal. His action instead had a greater and opposite reaction. Hitler viewed his escape from harm as a blessing from God on his work.
Maybe God is in control of who rules. Maybe God hoped/hopes that His people would not look to the government as their source of security. Maybe God hoped/hopes His people would reach out with a hand of love and mercy to bless the peoples of the world in a way that would set the kingdom of God apart from the kingdom of the world.
What is human and earthly? “Government controls the world so reform government!” What might be the kingdom of God view? In real history, England was on the brink of revolution, but a few rose up, including the Wesleys, not to try and fix a corrupt worldly government, but pour themselves out for the hurting, to get dirty themselves. Perhaps political revolution was no longer needed. Maybe if the whole church did that, the world would be a better place than the government could ever make it!
As far as the production goes, it’s not entirely easy watching. It is sinister. There are very few good guys. And those who are, you wonder if they really are. Things were often filmed in a rather disturbing way.
And then there's the Wachowski's writing, which is always dialog heavy. It often goes below the surface, and perhaps a bit deep for me at times.
Right off, I thought the mask with a guy talking behind it was intriguing. The smiling face is an amusing juxtaposition. It masks a man full of resentment and an identity lost. His purpose is singular and his expression is singular.
Natalie Portman is not very attractive with no hair.
V’s knife fight at the end was impressive. Really like the stylized way the blades left streaks in the air. Ultimately, aside from the message and the character of V, I’m not sure this film will be entirely memorable.
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