Root for the terrorist

Fans of Alan Moore who were rightfully disappointed by adaptations of his graphic novels "From Hell" and "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" (the latter of which being the only movie I have ever walked out of the theater) can breath a sigh of relief: the Wachowski Brothers (of "Matrix" trilogy fame) produced it, James McTeigue directed it and "V for Vendetta" is sure to excite. \nThe film acts as a retelling of the graphic novel, that thankfully doesn't attempt a straight adaptation. The Wachowski's, who wrote the script and produced the film, have a keen understanding for the characters and their world. It's important for any fan of Moore and the source material to look at it as a retelling. \n"Vendetta" begins with the vanquishing of Guy Fawks after his Nov. 5, 1605 plan to blow up England's Parliament with gunpowder. It then flashes forward to 2020 and shows us an England ruled by a totalitarian government. After a few catastrophes occur seemingly at the hands of a religious cult, a new regime has taken over the government. Under its violent rule, anyone who questions the government is taken away and never seen again. \nGone are minorities, homosexuals and any non-Christians. Most art has been deemed inappropriate and been hidden within government vaults. This dystopian view of the future is not challenged however by its inhabitants who live in fear and dependence for a government that uses the media to help serve its ends. Finally, a terrorist named "V" (Hugo Weaving) helps open their eyes. \nThe largest difference between the novel and the film is the absence of the computer Fate, which in the comic controls the government by seducing its leader Adam Sulter (John Hurt).\nNatalie Portman plays Evey a young assistant for a major television network who is rescued by "V" after government Fingermen attempt to rape her when she was caught breaking curfew. In the graphic novel, Evey is a young teenager who turns to prostitution to earn extra money, Portman's character however is older, and more innocent. \nThe dynamic between the characters is altered in the movie. Portman's Evey is unwilling to aid "V" for the majority of the film. The "V" of Moore's graphic novel is far more callous. He is calm and his only emotion is anger. McTeigue's "V" enjoys watching movies and comes across as playful and fun at parts whereas Moore's is nothing but chilling.\nThe performances are solid, particularly Portman's. Criticism is sure to fall on Weaving for his acting as his face is obstructed for the film's duration by "V's" Guy Fawkes mask. The interesting thing here is the different emotions the mask seems to take on despite its constant grin. This is achieved by great use of lighting and body language.\nThe difference in mediums brings a difference in story and structure for the film. The entire third act is altered for the movie and several plot points are switched as the novels chronology is mixed. For instance, Parliament is bombed in the first few pages of the novel, but becomes "V's" main target in the film. Characters are changed and condensed and as a result several lose their humanity and are cast as two dimensional. \nThis is seen most predominantly in Sulter, who in the book has been reduced to a man driven insane by his love for Fate: a sentient computer. In the film, Sulter is mostly kept as a man never seen except for on television screens. \nMoore's book was published nearly two decades ago, and was meant as a parallel of its time and politics. Today's political weather has changed and we are instead given a parable for modern America. Moore's novel criticized Margeret Thatcher's England, whereas the Wachowski's hits out hard against the Bush administration and America's use of fear as a form of control. \nThe film challenges religion, government and, most of all, a country's citizens that allow their government to lie and take advantage of them. It is surprising that controversy hasn't arisen from this film yet. \nThis is an extremely powerful and exciting movie. Fans of Moore are finally treated to a retelling of his most courageous story. It's victorious, violent and vehement. Thankfully it's "V for Vendetta"