Movies based on comic books have been popular for a long time now, and most of them end up being incredible flops. However, every once in a while, a gem comes across that stays true to the original text but at the same time is translated perfectly for the silver screen. This can capture a brand new audience, and get them interested in the classic graphic novels after watching the film. Examples of this include X-Men, Spiderman, and Sin City. V for Vendetta is not one of these.

Don’t get me wrong, I found V for Vendetta quite enjoyable. I wasn’t bored for a single moment throughout the film’s 132 minutes, and as a movie in and of itself, it did a terrific job, telling the tale of a terrorist/revolutionary in near-future London. However, it does not stay faithful to Alan Moore’s works on which the movie is based… or so I’ve been told.

You see, I’ve never read the V for Vendetta comics (that date back to the early 1980s), so I can enjoy this movie for what it is. And what it is, is a man essentially enacting a plan not unlike the Gunpowder plot of Guy Fawkes (1605).

V’s verbosity and varied vernacular are verily captivating. But it was a little strange knowing that the actor behind the mask was Hugo Weaving, better known as Agent Smith from The Matrix (Hello Missssteerrr Anderssssson…).

While this is technically classifed as an action movie, there really isn’t that much action in this movie other than a final fight scene (which has a distinct Matrix-feel to it, thanks to the Wachowski brothers) and the odd explosion. It is more of a drama, or a social commentary, describing a world wherein a fascist govenment has its people shaking in their proverbial boots, and it is up to a slightly insane, but incredibly well-read and intelligent terrorist/revolutionary, who goes simply by the name V, to break it all up and give the power back to the people.

He says that the people should not be afraid of the government; the government should be afraid of the people. Damn right.

There are clear allusions to modern-day things — like 9/11, George Dubya, and whatnot — but the idea or concept behind V for Vendetta is timeless.

If you’re a fan of words, wordplay, and an intelligent action movie (for a change), you should check out V for Vendetta.

Recommended? YES