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lol
There is a comic book, originally serialized in Britain's Warrior magazine during the '80s called "V for Vendetta." This comic, written by the famous Alan Moore and drawn by David Lloyd, gives us a new image of England. An image of England in a whole new world--a world where the United States of America and the United Soviet Socialist Republic have utterly destroyed themselves (and most of the world with them, I might add) in a nuclear war.
This new England is run by a fascist dictatorship. The Eyes, the Ears, the Nose, the Mouth, the Fingers… they all function through the Leader. The people are comforted by the Voice of Fate—Fate being the monumental computer that allows the easy running of this new, utopian society.
November the fifth in the year of nineteen ninety-seven: A man, dressed in a cloak and a Guy Fawkes mask, rescues a young girl, Evey, as she is about to be raped by a handful of Fingermen (police). Of course, Evey is in this part of town on her first night at attempted prostitution. Her rescuer is not all that he seems to be, as well. Every watches from a rooftop with this mysterious man as the Houses of Parliament are destroyed before her very eyes.
The ever-smiling mask reminds her: “Remember, remember the fifth of November.â€
The shadow of a man, who we call “V,†takes Evey to his home—the Shadow Gallery. I place of wonder and culture and theatre. He shows her everything that she is denied in this fascist world.
V begins to make his next moves. He murders men and Evey questions his actions. She doesn’t approve of the killing—she too wants change, but killing is wrong, and she won’t have anything to do with it.
Not to spoil the events of the comic (which can be found in a superb graphic novel at most major book stores that carry Western comic books), but it is about anarchy. V is a mass-murdering terrorist.
The reader knows this. He is not a hero. He is not meant to be a hero. He is a terrorist. He murders people. He destroys landmarks with homemade bombs. He is a madman and a genius.
The fascist society is not evil in V for Vendetta; their leader is not Hitler. He has a monologue where we see his perspective on the world, where he is the beacon of stability for these people in a world of uncertainty.
V for Vendetta is about anarchy as a force of change and the two faces that it wears. It is not about heroism or right and wrong—even though we sympathize with the protagonist, he is never glorified. We are frightened by his actions and angered by them. There are times when we wonder his true intentions, question his “heroics.â€
The gentlemen that brought us the Matrix are bringing us a film adaptation of V for Vendetta, the comic many believe to be one of the greatest of all time.
They are bringing bullet-time to V for Vendetta. They are taking one of the most subtle, layered, thematic comic books of all time and turning it into an action film where Natalie Portman plays a new Every—a radical terrorist in her own right—as they take down a Nazi-esque dictatorship.
What made the fascist society in V for Vendetta, the comic version, so chilling was because I could have lived there. It was a normal world where normal people lived their normal lives.
There are no rallies in the comic book—we see no Cult of the Leader. It is more subtle and all the more terrifying because of it. The people are culled by the Voice of Fate—broadcasted over the radio every hour, on the hour—and they are comfortable, satisfied with their way of living.
Yet, even if V for Vendetta is about anarchy, it does not demonize fascism—I can assure Alan Moore has never and will never approve of fascism—but it does not demonize it and it does not glorify it. It accepts it. It accepts anarchy.
It is a rational analysis of our world.
So here comes Hollywood to smurf the whole damned thing.
Go watch the trailer. You’ll see the new action scenes. You’ll see how Evey Hammond, our dear, innocent Every Hammond, is a radical smurf. You’ll see her performing action stunts—when in the comic she hesitates to do what V asks of her until she goes through a startling experience.
You never hear the word “anarchyâ€â€”a subject that at least two monologues in the comic book are entirely devoted.
You will see the Nazi rallies in everything but name.
You will see how Alan Moore, who allowed his name to be on both “From Hell†and “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,†has removed his name from any mention in regard to this film—and both “From Hell†and “LXG†were equally smurf.
Thus, I am afraid. I am afraid of what the common man will take from this film. It will not be the message that is within one of the greatest comic book masterpieces of all time. I shudder to think of how many insolent punks will leave that movie uttering: "Did you look at the wicked bullet time on that knife!?" That is not V for Vendetta”that is something altogether different, if not bad.
Because, let's face it, Hollywood doesn't want you to think anymore. They want you to sit down, shut up, and eat your popcorn.
I'm sick and tired of that.
I think I'm going to go read V for Vendetta again.
rofl
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