V for Vendetta
I saw it in IMAX. A very good film, that had potential to be great. It felt very much like Orwell's 1984, except the lighting and cameras made it feel too new. I would've like a better filter to make the world look more "future vintage" (you probably won't get this oxy-moron). Natalie Portman was sexy, and her British accent and acting overall were very good (except her crying, which felt too forced). As for "V", the mask kept making me laugh, but as the movie wants us to know, he is more than just a mask, he is an idea.
The film does lack action. Throughout the picture we are flooded with messages and images of a government that has overstepped it's boundaries. Although this is the (near) future, it all seems relevant to today. By today's standards V would be considered a terrorist, but because this is comic based he is a rebellious hero who is doing this for justice. There is very little in common in the style department between the Matrix and this movie. One cool fight scene towards the end, used what I'm calling "blade-time" which was similiar to bullet-time, leaving a path wherever his knife went. Like characters in the Matrix, V speaks in riddles and breaks things down philosophically.
Overall a very good effort for the new director, and a well written script by the Wachowski bros. I wanted a bit more from it though, maybe more character development and a darker (grittier) atmosphere. We're thrown right into the world, and then thrown back out of it. The ending felt a little stretched, but was very exciting to watch.
*** posted by psychobabbler @ 4:54 AM
