Real Review - V for Vendetta HD DVD

V for Vendetta is the movie adaption of the graphic novel by Alan Moore. Due to differences in the screenplay written by the Wachowski Brothers and the original plot, Alan Moore pulled-out of the production and withdrew support for the movie. Though I have not read Moore’s book, I can only surmised that V for Vendetta should be considered a loosely-based adaption of Moore’s book.

Upon the film’s release, there was a good bit of controversy as many decried the film as pro-gay and anti-Christian. Some even suggested that it was pro-terrorism. In my view, V for Vendetta is basically fodder for Moore’s anarchist political leanings. Moore seems to advocate that violence is warranted against an unjust government.

Basically the plot is an update of George Orwell’s novel, 1984, wherein a future Britain is in the grips of a totalitarian government. Our hero, V, uses terrorism to “awaken” the populace to their plight and to help change the status quo. V dresses in a Guy Fawkes disguise that utilizes a mask, wig, hat, and cape. On November 5th, Guy Fawkes Day, V promises to liberate the people from the unjust dictator of Britain by destroying the Houses of Parliament. In doing so, he rallies the populace around his cause and starts a movement of like-minded individuals who are fed-up with the government’s shenanigans.

There are some problems with the film including the fact that, despite the citizenry believing the government is not truthful, there is just not enough deprivation and suffering on their part to make it plausible that they would join V and his terrorist plot to destroy Parliament. Also, V is depicted as a super-intellectual with great sword skills that he learned from watching old movies in his hideaway underground home. With his endless pontificating, one soon tires of the boorish, know-it-all V.

V for Vendetta is a very dialog-heavy movie, a thinking-man’s movie, with lots of political and philosophical rhetoric to wade through. It is a dark film in that its tone and underlying message will surely appeal to the disaffected, but largely have no effect on those that accept conformity, privilege, and the rule of law. In a word, if viewed as a fable, V for Vendetta entertains.

I watched V for Vendetta on HD DVD disc and I was extremely impressed by the PQ. The darks were solid, and the whites were milky smooth with lots of HD pop here and there. The audio track was Dolby Digital TrueHD and I found it to be pretty good despite the front-heavy dialog. There were a few explosions that kicked in my subwoofer, and the bass was generally tight, though the film was predominately midrange.

The disc includes several short documentaries including one on the historical Guy Fawkes, the comic book background for the film, a making-of featurette, and a commentary track by the director. Overall, the disc is well balanced with extras.

Rating: 8

Source Chuck’s Movie Reviews

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