"A symbol for a revolution"
Some early reviews are in for V for Vendetta, the movie adaptation of Alan Moore’s anarchist graphic novel. I’ve tried to keep my expectations in check so far, but these reviews for the film, which opens nationwide on March 17, aren’t just good...they’re great. Both were posted to Ain’t It Cool News following a recent screening. The first is from “Doc Falken”:
“This will be the most talked about film in 2006. Or, it will disappear in three weeks after release and be dismissed as a cult film for academics to dissect in the future. I believe that the media’s response to the messages in the film will decide its fate. Even how Warner Brothers decides to market the film will determine the legacy. If they follow a superhero/comic book marketing model and you see V on a lunch box, then I believe that the film’s impact will be hampered. But if they let the theater goers decide, then this film might prove to be an artistic endeavor that becomes a symbol for a revolution. Either way, every college campus needs to screen this film for our future leaders of the world. Fox News better get their responses ready, because this film is going to be a favorite topic of theirs for a long time.”
And “Nordling” writes:
“I can’t wait to see how this shatters American audiences. Alan Moore’s graphic novel is adapted perfectly for the big screen and Natalie Portman knocks it out of the park with a performance of bravery and passion. Hugo Weaving was terrific as V. A damn near flawless movie that will rip audiences asunder.”
Count me in.
posted by Wally Conger @ 1:27 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Wow, browsing through that site everyone who saw the film was blown away, and everyone familiar with the comic who saw it said it's incredibly faithful to the original. All of a sudden this looks like the real deal!
Indeed, it does seem like the "real deal." Although I had a very high opinion of Hugo Weaving previously, just being in this film has raised Natalie Portman in my estimation. (That probably won't matter much to her.)
However, don't forget to consider that studios have been known to edit (read as "butcher") the films they screen early.
For example, according to Bill Kauffman's early review of Gods and Generals, it had some theatrical characters commenting "on secession, war, and the duty of the artist." One of those commentators was John Wilkes Booth (a well known Shakespearean actor of the period).
In his review Kauffman mentions that Booth will be cut for the theatrical release. However, Ron Maxwell, the director, must have told Kauffman he expected Booth to reappear on the DVD release.
I have the DVD. It has no Booth.
I have high hopes for V, but I'm old enough to have seen many such hopes dashed before now. Still, that does not keep me from having the hopes. We should hope what those early viewers saw makes it to the theatrical release.
That the massively irreverent Sin City made it to the screen intact is a very good sign. Perhaps explicit anarchism isn't as politically incorrect as southern secession and assassination (which V also should be sporting).
I suspect events between now and March will influence the outcome.
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