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*** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread - Page 6

post #151 of 196
8/4/06 at 3:04pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Terrorism has little to do with civilian casualties.

The reason V is no terrorist is not because he exclusively targets goverment institutions. Had Atta and co limited their attack to the Pentagon (let's even say improbably empty, in the middle of the night, resulting in no casualties), it would have still been a terrorist act. Why? Because the american people would have still percieved it as an attack on itself.

It is perfectly possible to terrorise a people by targetting government institutions exclusively.

The reason V does not fit in my definition of terrorist is quite simple: he does not seek to terrorise the people. He has nothing to gain in doing so. He wants them on his side.

A terrorist, in contrast, seeks to scare the living shit out of the populace, by targetting the gvt, the people, or both.

--
H
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post #152 of 196
8/4/06 at 8:17pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Davatchi
By the way, this is an A-list movie. I'm wondering why the brothers didn't direct it themselves and gave it away. You don't give away your “A” material! Also it would have benefited from more publicity and more people seeing it if they had directed it
Long story short: the Brothers had just come off of nearly ten consecutive years of developing, shooting, and releasing The Matrix trilogy, and simply didn't feel up to jumping back in so quickly and directing another major feature film themselves. They'd originally planned to do so with Vendetta as their intended follow-up to the Neo flicks, but when the opportunity to have McTeigue helm the picture came up, they went with it, and took on an exec-producing (and second-unit directing) role instead.

Now that McTeigue has this film under his belt, I'm greatly looking forward to what he does next -- I was as skeptical as everyone else that he'd simply end up a poor-man's "Wachowski understudy," but the guy more than proved he possesses the chops as a serious actors' director, and the thought of him heading up Bryan Singer's Logan's Run remake is intriguing.
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post #153 of 196
8/5/06 at 10:59am

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

I only saw this once in the theater, and my viewing last night was only my second time seeing, but I noticed something I hadn't before. At the end when you see people taking off their masks I originally only really noticed the girl that was shot taking off her mask.

So, I assumed when we saw her shot we were supposed assume that was just part of the detective's conjecture and that it didn't actually happen. However, this time I noticed you see Valerie, her lover, the TV guy, and some other people that are definately dead. So, I'm guessing the implication isn't that all of these people are still alive but just to drive the point home about V being everyone.
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post #154 of 196
8/5/06 at 5:59pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Quote:
So, I assumed when we saw her shot we were supposed assume that was just part of the detective's conjecture and that it didn't actually happen.
No, it actually happened. The little girl was shot. Your second observation is spot on. You'll notice Evey's friend Deitrich as well as the lesbian couple from V's letter in the mob taking off thier masks off as well.

As you stated, it's a symbol that reinforces what Evey is telling Finch. That V is every one of us. Your brother, your father, your mother, etc. etc.
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post #155 of 196
8/11/06 at 7:56pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

I'm not about to scroll through the other pages, but I was terribly bored by this movie. The original teaser was entertaining, but not enough to get me to a theater. Just finished the DVD minutes ago.

I didn't enjoy the story because even if I agreed that anarchy was the key to happiness, there was no emotional bond to V. Frankly I didn't care if or when he bought the farm.

Now, the quality of the film itself... bah! I can't believe how average it is! The editing was choppy, dialogue isn't mixed well, and the ballet-style fight scenes are just plain weak. You know what I'm suddenly craving? Ang Lee's HULK. That's what I'll watch next so that I can be reminded that some films do take careful steps to engage a viewer while using a creative style.
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post #156 of 196
8/11/06 at 8:04pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Romier S
No, it actually happened. The little girl was shot. Your second observation is spot on. You'll notice Evey's friend Deitrich as well as the lesbian couple from V's letter in the mob taking off thier masks off as well.

As you stated, it's a symbol that reinforces what Evey is telling Finch. That V is every one of us. Your brother, your father, your mother, etc. etc.


I'm not so sure the girl actually died. But, this movie was sloppy enough that maybe she did die. There was absolutely no sign that those cataclysmic events Finch described actually took place. The massive armed border around Parliament was in anticipation of V's terrorist attack, not part of some police vs. citizens battle.

The other characters were obviously to illustrate that V is everyone. But I think it was supposed to be a mixture of real and imagined faces. For example, the local drunk was there and Finch's buddy cop was there... those cats didn't die. Unless they died off-screen... which... is... entirely possible with this made-for-tv caliper production.
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post #157 of 196
8/11/06 at 9:07pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

I just finished this movie tonight as well.

I don't have much time to write, but I will say that I was a bit disappointed. Like Windbreaker, I found the first hour fairly boring, but the film got much better (and more powerful) in the last hour.

I also had problems with the use of caricature, etc., but can't really go into that per forum rules. I place a lot more weight on theme and character than craft, and the first hour didn't have much of the latter.

Will definitely watch it again, though.

7/10
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post #158 of 196
8/12/06 at 7:44am

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Atkins
I found the first hour fairly boring, but the film got much better (and more powerful) in the last hour.
7/10

First half was definitely slower than the second half, and the second half made the movie for me. This isn't going to go down as the greatest ever, or even bust my top 50, but still a great movie and worth owning IMO. I'm gonna go 8 1/2 of 10

JC
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post #159 of 196
8/12/06 at 11:08am

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh.C
First half was definitely slower than the second half, and the second half made the movie for me. This isn't going to go down as the greatest ever, or even bust my top 50, but still a great movie and worth owning IMO. I'm gonna go 8 1/2 of 10

JC

Second half didn't do enough for me to make up for the first. I can't go higher than 5/10. To me, it's very average. Has potential for excellence, but doesn't get there. V's just out for vengeance. Nothing more. He has a monologue about freedom for all people, but he's ultimately out to satisfy his own lusts. Taking Evey under his wing was a way to create a freedom fighter, but in the end he was telling her that the only way to be free was to destroy Parliament - the symbol of corruption and tyranny. That's not how you spread freedom to people.

I seem to be on my own in this thread. I have no desire to watch it again.
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post #160 of 196
8/12/06 at 11:41am

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Windbreaker:

I want to watch it again because I had to watch it over 2 nights. The last half was compelling enough to lead me to revisit the first half at some point in the future.
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post #161 of 196
8/12/06 at 10:01pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Windbreaker, I agree with you. The film has some interesting ideas, but does very little with them. The structure and pacing are lumpy- certain things are just not explored enough (like Portman's evolution, the ramifications of Weaving's idealogy), something that I couldnt help thinking about while watching all those police-procedural scenes with Stephen Rea (who's a badass, by the way), and the photography at times painfully average, especially considering the material, many scenes have the potential for way, way stronger imagery, and just cry out for a more capable director. I know I'm in the minority here, and I certainly don't hate the picture, so I won't argue with anyone. My friends loved the hell out of it. Of course, the film does have its moments- the John Hurt scenes, Portman's perf, and the dynamic between Portman and Weaving. The sense of discovery on Portman's part was one of my favorite parts about the film, and I really wish the script delved into that more. And, she doesn't look half-bad

Regards,
Nathan
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post #162 of 196
8/12/06 at 10:17pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

i just cant agree with you guys. i loved this movie. it really was a great representation of the comic, and the acting was really brilliant. i just bought the dvd, and the special features really help you understand the movie better. anyone like the movie?
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post #163 of 196
8/13/06 at 4:26am

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

[wince] Windbreaker? [scans to top of page] This is still the HTF right?

I loved V for Vendetta too, both halves. I certainly prefered it to seen-it-all-before summer biggies POTC: DMC and Superman Returns (and wishes he hadn't). V's probably my film of the year. I wasn't that impressed with the dvd extras though, where you get to know more about Guy Fawkes than you do about the film. Which probably means a 3-disc extended edition will be out sometime next year.
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post #164 of 196
8/13/06 at 5:01am

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Hey Steve...if it's any consolation, I liked V more than I liked Kong.
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post #165 of 196
8/13/06 at 5:21am

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Huge Superman Returns fan eh Chris? And I don't know why, it was dull as dishwater. It'll probably play better on tv. I loved V because the character was pretty unique, for film. Instead of a superhero or super'man' we have a badly scarred super-terrorist or super-anarchist as I prefer to call him, filled with hate and desire for vengeance. Infinitely more interesting than the man of steel, don't you think?
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post #166 of 196
8/13/06 at 8:45am

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Quote:
Instead of a superhero or super'man' we have a badly scarred super-terrorist or super-anarchist as I prefer to call him, filled with hate and desire for vengeance. Infinitely more interesting than the man of steel, don't you think?

Not when he is diluted to the extent that the audience is able to comfortably cheer him on in the same way they would Superman or Batman. At least Superman Returns was up front about it.
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post #167 of 196
8/13/06 at 9:17am

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Just watched V last night. When i woke up it was over,darn boring.
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post #168 of 196
8/13/06 at 9:25am

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by dany
Just watched V last night. When i woke up it was over,darn boring.

Oh dear, maybe the filmmakers should have given V the ability to fly, rescue Evey from a stricken airplane or something, might even keep you awake what?
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post #169 of 196
8/13/06 at 9:32am

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by dany
Just watched V last night. When i woke up it was over,darn boring.

Yes. Movies that challenges your mind are always boring.

"HEY! Somethings wrong with the TV! IT MADE ME THINK!"
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post #170 of 196
8/13/06 at 9:45am

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Even though I'm not a big fan of the film, I do applaud the film for trying to do something much more creative than a typical big-budget production. It's a pretty ambitious picture, and deserves credit for that.

Quote:
[wince] Windbreaker? [scans to top of page] This is still the HTF right?

I agree. I think the real-name rule needs to stay, badly. (I mean, no offense, but, JediFonger???) It's a good way of making people realize that this forum is elite, not your typical forum.

Regards,
Nathan
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post #171 of 196
8/13/06 at 10:12am

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by dany
Just watched V last night. When i woke up it was over,darn boring.

I agree. I love films that are challenging to the mind but this gum was chewed one to many times. Result: I fell asleep.


Alex
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post #172 of 196
8/13/06 at 12:42pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

V is a perfect example of how movies should be made. Great story, enough good action to carry the film, great acting and a good cast. It doesn't get much better!
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post #173 of 196
8/13/06 at 12:43pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

I avoided the film when it first showed because I was put off by the train wreck that was Matrix III. However, I've now watched it on DVD.

I think V is like most comics with aspirations to be 'literature' rather than simple entertainment - fans will think it's profound, people with a greater knowledge of literature and film will find it entertaining but not particularly thought-provoking. It is, IMHO, a lot better than the pretentious eye candy that the Matrix trilogy increasingly became, but then so are a lot of movies. However, giving it a hard time and deciding it's boring or irredeemably bad is surely hyperbole. It's an entertainment, nothing else. If the movie encourages people to question just why relinquishing power to a central unanswerable figure is always a bad thing, then it will have served its purpose. However, I fear that precisely those who need this lesson will get no further in their thought processes than bitching about how indifferent the action sequences were.
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post #174 of 196
8/13/06 at 2:11pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Magnus T
Yes. Movies that challenges your mind are always boring.

"HEY! Somethings wrong with the TV! IT MADE ME THINK!"

Made me think why did i rent this? Oh well.
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post #175 of 196
8/13/06 at 2:17pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Dany

What exactly did you not like about it ? It doesn't really add much to the discussion if all you have to say is it's boring. Sure the film has problems and if you were expecting the kind of film that the trailer made it out to be I can understand you would be disappointed, but I wouldn't label it as boring
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post #176 of 196
8/13/06 at 2:22pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by dany
Made me think why did i rent this? Oh well.

To quote the tagline from American Beauty: "Look Closer..."
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post #177 of 196
8/13/06 at 2:43pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Christou
Huge Superman Returns fan eh Chris? And I don't know why, it was dull as dishwater. It'll probably play better on tv. I loved V because the character was pretty unique, for film. Instead of a superhero or super'man' we have a badly scarred super-terrorist or super-anarchist as I prefer to call him, filled with hate and desire for vengeance. Infinitely more interesting than the man of steel, don't you think?

Yes I am a huge SR fan. But I am also a big fan of Munich, which I feel is a more apt comparison in this case. I thought that film explored the issue of terrorism with much more craft and thoughtfullness than V. Perhaps that's because Munich explored a situation that was grounded in the real world...not a caricature of the future based on current events. I've never read the graphic novel, so I can't comment on that, but it seems like the Brothers Wachowski went out of their way to paint with the broadest brush possible...a choice Spielberg avoided with Munich.

Anyhow, this approach is what bored me in the first hour, not the lack of action (come on, guys, not everyone who dislikes a Wachowski Brothers movie is a J6P who grades movies based on the number of explosions. The Matrix sequel threads had similar charges about the detractors of those films). Things picked up in the second half--largely because the filmmaking got a lot better--but overall the approach to the story left me underwhelmed.
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post #178 of 196
8/13/06 at 5:37pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon Massey
Dany

What exactly did you not like about it ? It doesn't really add much to the discussion if all you have to say is it's boring. Sure the film has problems and if you were expecting the kind of film that the trailer made it out to be I can understand you would be disappointed, but I wouldn't label it as boring

Why cant i{the person that watched it}label it as boring? For be it was abit to hokey. Never say a trailer on this flick. It just never held my attention.
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post #179 of 196
8/13/06 at 7:28pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

I didnt say you couldn't say that ( I wouldn't label it as boring but you can if you want)- just wanted you to expand on why. I assumed the reason you posted was to "discuss" the film and there isn't a lot to discuss about your post. If you dont want to, fine, just dont see the point of posting in a discussion thread otherwise.
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post #180 of 196
8/13/06 at 7:54pm

Re: *** Official V FOR VENDETTA Discussion Thread

I loved this movie it had to be one of the best to come out this year, not to mention the SE DVD straight up rocks. THis this blows minds in my Home theater
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