V for Vendetta
 

This movie reminds me of the book 1984. Nevertheless, it also looks really cool too. Those some may say since Wachowski brothers are involved, it may be shit. We'll see tomorrow. I'm definately going to go watch this tomorrow.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0434409/

It's actually based off of a comic book, isn't it?
Anyway, I think it'll be good. It looks highly interesting at least. Watched a preview thing of it tonight. Yay Hugo Weaving.

I saw the movie last night actually.

I didn't know it was a comic book or anything like that until I was actually watching it and the credits for "DC comics" showed up.

The movie, I thought was amazing. It had me interested the entire way though always making me wonder what the hell was coming up next. The action scenes I thought were amazing and the effects were great also. I am going again to see it with friends on Saturday. I loved the Movie.

Yeah, it's a comic book from Alan Moore, who is quite possibly the best writer in comics.

I can't wait to watch the movie on Friday. I thought about going to the midnight show, but decided not to. I hope it destroys all my expectations.

Wow...I can't wait to see this, either. It's so nice to see a revival in comics/sequential art/graphic novels other than the 'mainstream' stuff (like Superman, Spider-Man, etc) -- even if it's just to make some money off of the box office. The main thing is, it revives interest in the source material.

And Alan Moore. God. It's so funny that most the people I talk to have no idea that it's based on a comic. Oh well...now they'll know. I'm definitely going to see this, along with the Libertine.

Oh, how wasted my Spring Break is....

Just saw this last nigth and it was indeed very cool. Probally the Most story in a comic book movie I have seen, and it was a good one.

I recently read the comic in its entirety in anticipation of the movie, and I fear that I now have a concrete understanding of the source material, that the Wachowski Brothers will gay it up.

I've also heard a lot of conflicting information about the movie from incompetent newsvendors, such as that the setting is based on the premise that the Nazis won World War 2, or that the movie is based around V's plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament. I don't think I have to tell you that these are false concerning the source material.

At best, I'm expecting it to be dumbed down.

I've read the book, it is one of the best graphic novel ever made and its up there with Watchman (Alan Moore loves the drafts from David Hayter's one). I'll be seeing it this weekend.

Actually Alan Moore dissociated himself from the movie and called the script "imbecilic" and full of plot holes. I love Moore's work and I'm considering to avoid this movie as I did with the White Wolf rip-off that was Underworld.

You meant to say that WHITE WOLF created Vampires and Werewolves?

Nope, but they found enough striking similarities to the Cainite/Garou scenario featured in their intellectual property to file a lawsuit against Sony. It got settled out of court, I believe.

Link please?

Generally, Alan Moore has no want of Hollywood and no say in what the script looks like. All his stories have been butchered by Hollywood this far - Leauge Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, From Hell - and I doubt "V" will be any different.

Last I heard, they were forced to change the end of Watchmen because of the events of 9/11. I don't think Moore would like that too much - this is the guy who told D*C Comics to fuck off when they wanted to do a Watchmen Aniversary promotion. (Mind you, he doesn't decry the movie considering the check they cut for him - but he distances himself as far from the movie as he can)

Another link would be helpful for me too...

How are the political messages, though?

I've heard it's pro-terrorist / anti-Bush / anti-America.

Keep in mind that "V For Vendetta" was written to oppose the British Right in the 1980s. Back then, they were people in office who wanted to put people with AIDS into camps and to quash homosexuality. Moore's response was this story - he saw the... "Orwellian" (ugh) aspects of the present day and wrote something as a warning.

Obviously, the fact that the movie comes out now, it'll be read as anti-Bush. But the Wachowski's originally pitched this movie before they pitched The Matrix. If "V For Vendetta" came out during the Clinton Administration, what would the inference be then?

Anything can be misconstrued - it's easier than to bother thinking about it. People on the internet are now trying to tell me that the Rebel Alliance is a terrorist group. See, it's all a matter of timing - and inadvertently, how stupid people are.

Actually, the whole situation with the states can be explained through Star Wars.

Empire = US
Rebels = Everybody else.

Well, thats incredibly invalid for dozens of reasons. Here's some you probably didn't bother considering before vomiting all over the thread like the town drunkard leaning up against a wall in an alleyway.

*You can just as easily say that the Empire is the British Military and the Rebels the American Army and its an alagory for the American Revolution. Or any number of combinations of Government versus Uprising scenarios that have happened countlessly through the ages.

*America has never been facist. At worst we've been controversial like we are now but theres none of the outright facist snobery nor the gunboat diplomacy that the Empire has. While I do not agree with much of the Bush Administration's policy on... well, anything - too many world-stupid college students and ignorant housewives cry out for Bush to do something without even bothering to look at a picture bigger than themselves.

*It's easy to pigeonhole current events into such a metaphor. Thats the reason that Star Wars is such a universally understood story. I mean, you could use any number of Item A versus Item B - You could say that the Empire is "Great Taste" and the Rebellion is "Less Filling" and have it still be apt. That kind of renders your point completely moot.

The Galactic Empire? Oh please ... what's next, Nazi analogies?

I think we can consider two things facts:
1. The difference between a "terrorist" and a "revolutionary/freedom fighter" will always be a matter of perspective.
2. In recent years civil rights and privacy have been weakened in favor of security measures all around the globe.

So if the Wachowski brothers decided to make their adaption remnicent of more recent developements in the so-called free world, it isn't that far fetched at all.

There you go:
http://www.gamingreport.com/article.php?sid=10015
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwo...82003_movie%29 (Trivia section)

You know, people always say this, but I think there's a clear distinction.

Terrorists kill/threaten innocent civilians.
Freedom Fighters fight against governments and soldiers.

To compare a suicide bomber blowing up a cafe in Israel (where the only target is innocent people) to a Patriot during the American Revolutionary War (fighting British soldiers) is not that accurate.

Given that all the actors were white, british males in fairly facist uniforms, you're not too, too far off from Nazism

...and it's true that the British Empire sported quite a bit of master-racey arrogance in it's heyday. But comparing either the SW Empire or the Nazis with the Bush administration... it's just not a good basis for a discussion.

@ JazzFlight
You have to take into account that religious fanatics have the luxury of not having to distinguish between uniformed or civilian adversaries. Infidels will be infidels.

"The White Man's Burden." Basically, the thinking that since the White Man was the most culturally and technologically advanced race on the planet, that they had a moral obligation to rule the lesser peoples and bring them to enlightened, civilized ways of life.

You could say this was the reasoning behind the all-human governing body of the Empire, if Lucas actually went more in depth beyond mere symbology.

It's not necessarily a Nazi ideal.

Also Lehah, I'm just saying that the Alliance was wrong, not that they were terrorists. =P

I've lost any chance of finding this movie enjoyable. If Moore thinks it's imbecillic, then it's confirmed all of my fears. I'll have to watch it anyways, since I know my opinion matters to you.

Double Post:
That's bullshit. Islamist Revolutionaries are clearly able to distinguish between a civilian pop, potentially innocent even, and a military and governmental front. Terrorists purposely target civilians in order to facilitate political change, since openly combating governments and their militaries is an excercize in futility.

I saw the movie today. I have to admit, I reckon the Wachowski brother's version (although altered quite radically in places) was breathtaking and well worth my money. Although the graphic novel was better. Films can never quite compare to the original material. Especially when Hollywood pulls the plot and the ideas apart. Can't deny it had style though.

As for the apparent political and social meanings this film has implied for a lot of people, what LeHah has said makes complete and total sense. The time at which the graphic novel was written was very different to how things are now. It has to be taken from a different perspective.

If that's the case, then why not base the movie in America, and have V blow up Congress? If Spielberg could get away with properly Americanizing his dreadful version of War of the Worlds, why shouldn't the Wachowski's have done the same for a message intended for Americans?

Keeping the movie set in Britain is going to distance their intended audience from the material.

Don't forget terrorosts do the above listed to accomplish what freedom fighters do, except they use some BS like a few lines from their holy scripture to justify it.

Because V was fighting against a totalitarian fascist government, and last time I checked, America wasn't in that particular group. I suppose though they had to keep it set in Britain. Being true Hollywood film directors they would want to be faithful to some of the storyline, even if they do dissect the rest of it to pieces.

That's retarded. They've already succesfully alienated fans of the comic by altering the story so much (in Spielberg's case it was enough to make it implausible). They might have well gone full-out and focused it on something that would identify with an American audience, ignorant of the comics. Our first posters were some of these people.

The UK wasn't a totalitarian state at the time Moore wrote it, either. He had to create the war to make the situation plausible. The same can be said for the US.

If you've ever read Y: The Last Man on Earth, a similar situation almost happens, but that was pretty lame. (I do like Y, but it could do with less College Democrat)

I'm a massive fan of the comic but I still liked the movie, no matter how far it strayed. Although yes, I completely see your point. I suppose it really doesn't matter as long as they're raking in money from people who have never heard of the stories before.

Just for reference, this is the first page of the first volume.

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/962...page00a6dn.jpg

Of course they can, but their distorted moral code enables them to target either and - as you pointed out - preferably the easier targets (read: civilians). And I guess if someone is willing to blow himself and other people up, he surely had enough of whatever radical ideology he might follow to justify about anything with it.

I wasn't talking about what you said. I've read it other places in infuriating stupidity

Yet you don't need a distorted moral code to attack targets of opportunity. Their moral code doesn't make them any better or worse than the Oklahoma City Bomber.

Clearly armed dissent == terrorism

Shut the fuck up and go back to the Politcal Palace.

Go back to Azeroth, your Epic Mount is waiting.

I watched the movie yesterday and I loved it. It was very well done (though I didn't read the graphic novel, so I don't know how far it strayed and what not). I saw it with about 8 friends, and we all thought it was a really good movie and well worth the money,

Don't forget that Osama Bin Laden used to be considered a freedom fighter by the U.S.A.

Anyway, concerning the film, Hollywood has proven that there isn't a single Alan Moore graphic novel that it can't ruin. And when you factor in the matrix brothers you know it's going to suck.

Thats a silly comment - given that they made a couple good movies

I enjoyed the first Matrix, I can't say much about the second or third however.

I never read the comics, nor was disposed to the character. So, for someone like me, I look forward to seeing the movie tonight, especially since theres very little out at the moment. I can hope that it'll be worth the money.

To page one:
ITS A MOVIE FOR GOD'S SAKE!!! Just sit back relax and enjoy it! Not everyone is trying to say something. They might just be weaving a plot. So even though I'm not allowed to see it (rated R you know. damn.) I'm still thinking about sneakin in with some friends.

Quoted for truth.

Why not keep the discussion to what's relevant in the film, I'd rather read people's views on the film, not the bullshit in Iraq, blah blah.

The trailer looked nifty, I must go see this after I've handed in my last assignment on the 29th, most people have given the film a thumbs up, I haven't really read what the critics are saying.

Clarifying between Terrorists and Freedom Fighters is relevant to the movie, you shitheel. One of the more important questions of the book is whether or not V is really a revolutionary, or is simply working towards his own personal vendetta.

Well. the movie was very good, and interesting. A great story about restarting a establishment to what he thought was a wrongful establishment.

This movie was a great. It showed alot. Fear gets the best of everyone. The movie was showing that when one person takes a stand, the rest will follow. The only reason they had to sit there and watch the lies of the government is because they thought they could do nothing about what they were doing.

Well Codename:V was not a terrorist. He was a terrorist in the eyes of people that believed the government and thier lies were correct.

there wasn't a single moment I didn't love. an absolutely amazing film. I've (quite shamefully) never read the graphic novel but fully intend to buy it the very second I get my next paycheck.

This movie was incredible.

Best film of 2006 so far.

And they played the Silent Hill trailer before it (nice!).

I just saw this last night...and I thought it was really good...but like not completely 'cause of the storyline. I think what really won this movie over for me was V himself...just his character design and everything. Plus, the actor playing him was just really excellent. He body language and hand gestures were superb in letting you know the emotion of the character despite the mask. I was impressed.

seems like each theater shows different previews... I got Poseidon and Superman Returns instead. Bleh...

The movie was really great. I, too, haven't read the graphic novel(s?), so I can't comment on the content. But it was a great entertainment. Which is the purpose of a movie, anyway.

All that isleft to say is Nathalie Portman, shaved, is.... different.

I got Poseidon, Superman Returns AND Silent Hill...maybe you just missed it.

I got in 10 minutes before it started. My theater is managed by a moron. I'm not surprised he would have cut that trailer off. Right after the Superman Returns trailer, there's no notification that it is now the "feature presentation". It starts with the Warner Bros and the DC Comics logo.

Just saw the movie and I thought it was great! However, im curious as to why the orignal creator distanced himself from the movie. What part of the story was trivialized and what am I missing?

Possibly one of the best things you could do given your attitude is see this movie.
Shut the fuck up and let people think as much as they damn well please. You can continue drooling into your cheerios in a second.

Ah, I've watched the screening of this last week. V for Vendetta is one of the best movies of 2006, so far anyway. Has anyone seen it in IMAX?

Different prints for the movies usually have different trailers. For instance, in my theater, Silent Hill is only on one of the prints, and they have X3 in it's place.

I'm pretty sure that Superman Returns and Poseidon are the "attached trailers" that come with every print of V, so I'd be willing to bet there was a fuckup with the trailers in one way or another there.

War of the Worlds has been "Amercanized" since 1938, don't hold it against Spielberg.

As for V:
I loved the film. It's a great revenge story, and revenge stories are always enjoyable. I laughed at V's favorite film, "The Count of Monte Cristo", my favorite revenge story. It was a good movie, and though I haven't read the graphic novel, I can at least say that there's no way it's a discredit to the source material. It's a far cry from Extrodinary Gentleman, one of the worst movies I've seen in recent memory.

I would like to hear the opinion of someone who has read the graphic novel. I'm also curious as to what went so wrong that Alan Moore called the plot "imbecilic".

Personally I thought the comic was good, but not that great. I know that in the 80's UK context it makes sense, but the big evil fascist government thing was just way too similar to the nazis for me to really take seriously - it just seemed too one-dimensional and predictable. Still, it was decent pulp I guess.

I just saw this last night, I found it very entertaining and while I have not read the comics it appears to have compressed them quite well. Though I still am wondering how he picked up the crazy martial arts and knife skills. Oh, and I wish I got something better than a crappy poseidon trailer and the Superman Returns trailer I have already seen a dozen times. I really want to see that Silent Hill trailer!

I just got back from seeing it and besides Natalie Portman and the Benny Hill sequence, the movie wasn't that great. But it was better than Ultraviolet by leaps and bounds. :)

I really enjoyed the movie. It wasn't a slam-bam action thriller or anything, but the character interaction was well fleshed out. And V is the ultimate well-spoken badass!

He was pretty damned funny, too!

To be fair, Orson Welles accidentally convinced millions of Americans that they were being invaded by Martians. Orson Welles also included the gas. What did Spielberg do?

I read the comics and I found the movie to be a bit more enjoyable. Certain aspects of it at least. Frankly I just think Alan Moore is a whiny cunt and nobody could EVER do a movie how he would want it. To be fair though, he's probably a little distrustful after what happened to the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and From Hell (Which also wasn't too bad).

In the end though, I'd rather watch the movie than read the comics. And no, it's not because I'm some retard who hates reading and likes purty moving pictures instead, I just find the former more entertaining.

Keep in mind, Alan Moore is the type of person that would engrave bricks with the symbol of Christ if he were to build a church, just for the greater glory of God. Theres so many itty bitty things in Leauge Of Extraordinary Gentlemen, so to see it as such a bad movie is disheartening.

THE best movie of 2006 so far.

Not that that, uh, says much. But it rocks.

A showing I did attend; I watched this at Universal City IMAX last Friday at midnight (early Saturday), and the IMAX theatre was particularly worthwile during the explosions and other action scenes. Anyhow, it was a great movie (though I felt it just got a little redundant in some areas near the end). As far as the W bros. are concerned, this beats the hell out of the shitty Matrix sequels; that's for damn certain. Agreeing with others here, this is definitely a movie to end ths shit streak of films in '06. Also, can someone tell me why Hugo Weaving is awesome.

I liked it, but I wish it had been more vague. I guess it had to be to get it's underlying (not really) message across.

I saw the movie yesterday and enjoyed it immensely. There are a few things that bother me (like how he could see with no eyes), but that doesn't take away from the splendidness of this movie. What I am truly curious about is why Alan Moore took his name from the project.

Because V, like Constantine, is one of the properties that he does not own himself. And because when he blatantly said that he would not comment on the movie and wanted no part in it, Joel Silver went behind his back and told everyone that he "was very excited about it".

I'm in the middle of the book right now and ... is it just me or shouldn't this even be an action movie? Sure, there are some explosions, 'couple of fight scenes and a stylish entry by V now and then but so far it's really just there to spice up a dialogue and atmosphere driven story.

My resolve to avoid the movie is fading though, since I heard that Hugo Weaving plays the main character. But if I'm going to watch it, I'll wait until the DVD becomes available. They dub everything in Germany and it just kills the experience...

I saw it last night, awesome movie. Definitely surprised me, I expected a typical action movie.

It's not.

In case anyone wanted the ending song (which is not on the OST) heres the site for the guy who actually composed the music.
http://www.myspace.com/ethanstoller
You can buy the song directly from him apparently...

I finally saw the movie. I really enjoyed it. Good performances all around, good action and just plain fun. It really made me want to get off of my lazy ass and read the comics sitting on my hard drive.

I really hope that people actually try to get Mr. Moore involved in the film making process of any future conversions of his works. Look at what good came out of doing that with Sin City.

I saw the movie last night, and was amazed...I had been anticipating this film for some time and was not disappointed. The story was great, and everything fit in perfectly! Natalie Portman was pure gold, and V was quite amusing...One of the best movies I've seen to fit a mix with that humor and action...which were all top-notch...I'm recommending this movie to just about everyone I see!

Saw it last night, and very much enjoyed it. Very well done, and I'm quite quite happy they didn't Matrix it up too bad.

Halfway through the graphic novel now, and from what I can see they did change some things, but nothing that destroyed the original. It just made it work better in a different medium. Moore is notorious for his dislike to film adaptation and would honestly not be happy unless they did a panel for panel film version.

However one thing that I was a little confused about;

The thing is that V wasn't just a person...he represented an idea and everyone who ever fought for that idea. Thus everyone who died fighting was also represented by his mask.

Yeah that's pretty much what I figured it was about, but wasn't too sure. Gracias.

Here's an interview where Moore articulates his complaints. Basically, he didn't like what he saw as a change from the orginial "anarchy versus fascism" angle to "current American neo-conservatism vs. current American liberalism". League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and the twisting of his words to make it sound like he supported the film didn't help.

I haven't watched the film, nor read the comic so I can't comment on the accuracy of his complaints.