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Rating: Country: USA Release Date: March 17, 2006 Distributor: Warner Bros. Director: · James McTeigue Cast: · Natalie Portman · Hugo Weaving · Stephen Rea Related Sites: · IMDb: V for Vendetta Grade: A

From the con, I walked to my screening of "V for Vendetta" with Alan Moore on the brain. Alan Moore, the author of the graphic novel that "V" adapts. Alan Moore, arguably the best comic book writer of all-time. Alan Moore, who asked that his name be removed from this project for a few reasons, of which I'll not delve into (google it, people). Regardless of what I think of his decision (mostly positive and noble when you consider his motivation) the film is probably the best of the Moore adaptations ("From Hell", "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"). It is not a panel by panel recreation like Robert Rodriguez's "Sin City", but is almost more an homage, keeping many, but not all, of the important and crucial moments from the work, yet retaining the meaning and significance of Alan's original ideas.

"V for Vendetta" is a tale set in a dystopian future where a fascist-conservative, played by John Hurt ("Alien", "Elephant Man"), has taken control of England using religion and fear-tactics. V is a terrorist. A terrorist for good -- NOT an oxymoron -- as he only strikes terror in the hearts of those that seek to drain the country of its liberties. Its freedom. And simply put, "V for Vendetta" is a film about a revolution that needs to happen.

Playing V, Hugo Weaving's ("The Matrix" and "Lord of the Rings" trilogies) face is never seen, but his voice is eloquent, frightening, and seductive at the same time. Evey is his found protégé of sorts, and acts as our conscience as she tries to figure out what world she thinks she lives in and what part she wants to play in a world that she can have a hand in creating. Natalie Portman ("Garden State", "Star Wars I, II, & III"), putting on an acceptable English accent, hits all the right notes as our guide through truth, denial, and freedom. She makes you want to shed tears of fear and joy during different moments in the film.

To me, "V for Vendetta" seemed to be structured in an almost Hitchcockian Fashion. Basically showing us figurative (though there will be literal) bombs, and weaving a web of tension and suspense over the entire film waiting to see them go off. And when they go off (there's never any doubt), V's victory (our victory) over the evil despot is complete and glorious.

"The people shouldn't be afraid of its government. The government should be afraid of its people."

"In the Shadow of No Towers".

Last year, George Clooney, with "Good Night and Good Luck", had us ask ourselves if we’re being irresponsible by misusing one of the greatest potential educational tools we have. "V for Vendetta", written in 1981, was originally a comment on Thatcher's conservative regime. Today, a quarter-century later, it stands, for me, as a chilling comment on my own generation's regime and even makes me ask the question a step further. And God help me, I don't want to know the answer. What if a government could really launch a terrorist attack against itself -- to create a nation of fear; a nation of compliant, fat, couch potatoes, obsessed with entertainment more than truth; safety... more than liberty; correct... more than right?

I looked at my Spiegelman page. The back, a reproduction of the now famous New Yorker cover. Black towers on a black background. Darkness. For me, tonight, "V for Vendetta" was a light. Any movie that can make you think and ask new (and maybe right?) questions is an important and relevant film.