Movies That Matter:

An article.

By Jessica Poitevien

Jessica is a senior at Burbank Sr. High School. She is editor of the news and arts section for her school newspaper, The Burbank Bulldog.

A review of "V for Vendetta" 

Based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, the 2006 Warner Bros. film "V for Vendetta" brings its viewers to a futuristic world in which almost all nations have succumbed to anarchy. Britain, however, is spared from this fate by the rise of a totalitarian government that uses fear to keep its citizens in line. It is from this oppressive environment that the masked revolutionary known as “V” rises to fight against the British government and start a revolution that changes Great Britain forever. 
 
Except for its slightly complicated plot, "V for Vendetta" seems like the typical comic book made into a motion picture: a lot of entertaining action but little substance. However, after watching this movie and thinking about it, I began to realize that not only does it have a great deal of entertaining action, but it also carries deeper messages.  
 
When it comes to fighting for what they believe in, people nowadays constantly use the same pathetic excuse: “I’m just one person, I can’t make a difference.” I’ve been guilty of this same line of thinking, but watching V inspire the people of Britain to revolt along with him made me realize the power one person can have. When V first started his mission to overthrow the government, he walked alone. Most people were too afraid to speak up, but that did not stop him. V continued to fight for his cause and eventually the many people who were hiding their contempt for the government stepped up to join him in his final rebellion. Although V uses methods I do not advocate to achieve his means, his determination and strong will are admirable. "V for Vendetta" may be a fictional movie, but it shows how one person can really make a difference if he or she is willing to fight for his or her cause. We can learn from V’s example. If you believe in something, you shouldn’t let the fear of standing alone in the name of your cause stop you from fighting for it. As V clearly demonstrates, it only takes one person to start a revolution.  
 
Seeing how the people in the movie "V for Vendetta" had to live with practically no freedoms also made me appreciate the rights we have in the U.S. In the First Amendment alone, Americans are guaranteed the freedoms of religion, petition, press, assembly, and speech. That is more than the citizens of most nations can say about their rights. This movie is a perfect example of why Americans should appreciate their freedoms. In this film, the British cannot read certain books or watch certain movies. The government controls the media, subjects people to strict curfews, and does not allow anyone to speak against them without facing severe consequences. Unfortunately, this is the same reality that some people in certain nations have to face today, and Americans should be truly thankful for the fact that we don’t have to live under the rule of an oppressive government. We can have different opinions. We can read or watch whatever we want. We can practice our religions and speak out against whatever we please without fear of being persecuted. We should be grateful and never take for granted all the freedoms we are guaranteed as Americans. 
 
Overall, the movie "V or Vendetta" was excellent and I would definitely recommend it. The film is full of great action, an interesting and surprising plot and deeper messages that will make you think about your own attitude towards politics, freedoms, and the power of one person.