Please don't watch "V for Vendetta"

[Mani]

Originally posted by: MaxDepth
'V' Comic book - Alan Moore points an accusing finger at Margaret Thatcher's England and the treament of gays and AIDs. That's what it was about. The movie doesn't play along that line, instead choosing to highlight a conflict between facism and rebellion.

I always wondered if they were going to make a movie out of the Watchmen graphic novel. I remembered it to be far superior to 'V.'

Agree - this move focused a lot more on the fascism/rebellion struggle than specific politics like the comic.

Interestingly, I did read somewhere that McTeigue and the Wachowskis wanted their next comic-adapted film to be based on the Watchmen. He seemed to think it was more an inevitability than a possibility - I'm already psyched.

 

[Stojakapimp]

Was it just me, or did Natalie Portman's acting seem pretty bad?

 

[torpid]

It may be that they inteded it to be generic. But them calling him a terrorist, banning the koran, explicitly stating that the US continued to go to war with people, and the clear references to guantanamo bay should not have been included, in that case. I doubt any of those were in the comic book.

As I said, the author of the comic book also stated that he didn't like them replacing fasicm vs anarchy with liberalism vs neo-conservatism.

 

[Connoisseur]

Yeah I don't remember a single point in the movie where they mentioned anything about "conservatives". The government and leader were very clearly based on Hitler's fascist regime. I think the movie was more a warning against letting goverment take away our liberties and rights rather than a debate between conservatives and liberals... seriously, do people think of Hitler as one or the other? Obviously, some of it might be targeted at the Bush administration due to the timing of the movie, but I personally don't dislike Bush because he's a conservative. I dislike him because I think he's an idiot, a warmonger and doesn't mind treading on the Constitution in order to attain his goals. /2 Cents

 

[Topplayer]

ummmmm

 

[patsun123]

so after reading this thread in anandtech i have been convinced to not see this movie because it may represent ideas that i may or may not agree with.









oh wait. i did see it. and i loved it. moviemakers are people too! they have thoughts and opinions! and more money than you. and plus, no one makes you go see the movie or spend your time in there. Connoisseur's right. They don't mention conservatives in the movie. But if you wanna play word association with yourself, go ahead. I consider myself to be somewhat conservative, but yet i am not offended by this movie. It's just a friggin movie..... with throwing knives... and guns... and bombs... and natalie portman.

 

[Mani]

Originally posted by: torpid
It may be that they inteded it to be generic. But them calling him a terrorist, banning the koran, explicitly stating that the US continued to go to war with people, and the clear references to guantanamo bay should not have been included, in that case. I doubt any of those were in the comic book.

I'm sure they weren't. But the comic was written in the 1980s, and referenced Margaret Thatcher's Engliand. Using post-9/11 terminology and referencing current events helps connect to modern American audiences - it doesn't necessarily make it anti-conservative.

Besides, the Wachowskis wrote the script for this movie in the 1990s. That's an awful long time to be planning a neo-con bash fest. (especially when considering that neoconservatism didn't exist at the time)

As I said, the author of the comic book also stated that he didn't like them replacing fasicm vs anarchy with liberalism vs neo-conservatism.

Of course. But if you read his comments, the reasons why he's pissed is that he felt that the fascism in the movie was "defanged" by not referencing racial purity. So in other words, the fascism in the movie would have been ok if the leaders had appeared more racist. As for the liberalism, Moore's an anarchist. If you think the movie went over badly in its current state, just imagine the controversy if it came out as pro-anarchy?

 

[HombrePequeno]

I didn't think this movie was aimed at Republicans at all. The only party that it reminded me of really was the British National Party. I'm no fan of the Republicans party (the current socialist breed anyway) but I don't think any of the actions in the movie by the conservative Norsefire party really resembles anything the Republicans have done.

Maybe the OP is just seeing things that aren't there. Maybe that says something about the OP's true thoughts about his party.

Obviously the graphic novel was in response to Thatcher's policies and the writer took them to the extreme. Writer's do that all the time to make a point. Things like 1984 or Fahrenheit 451 aren't written to show what's wrong with current policy or current society, it's meant to show what could happen if things keep going down that slippery slope. All dystopic novels/movies are like that. They're warnings to what might possibly come if we don't watch out for it. It's a warning not to give any one group or person too much power because they will just abuse it.

So sit back and enjoy the movie instead of overanalyzing the crap out of it.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: Stojakapimp
Was it just me, or did Natalie Portman's acting seem pretty bad?

That's as redundant of a statement as "the sky is blue."

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Xafgoat
Maybe being Christian actually makes you more sane most of the time. It lets you focus and forget your crazy, god is gonna make everything ok, just be a good little sheep. The thoughts of why are we hear, and what are we really, and whether this all has a point doesnt matter. Gods taking care of it so you can think about your stocks, your new car and the Yankees until armageddon comes.

Another person with zero knowledge of Christianity giving his impression of it. :thumbsup:

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: Mani
Of course. But if you read his comments, the reasons why he's pissed is that he felt that the fascism in the movie was "defanged" by not referencing racial purity. So in other words, the fascism in the movie would have been ok if the leaders had appeared more racist. As for the liberalism, Moore's an anarchist. If you think the movie went over badly in its current state, just imagine the controversy if it came out as pro-anarchy?

It would have been a lot more interesting, at least, if it had been pro-anarchy. I don't have a problem with exaggeration in distopian stories, I have a problem with poorly written distopian stories. V's distopia was just so uninteresting and condescending that I couldn't get into it. It reminded me of The Handmaid's Tale, a book we were required to read in high school. Except even worse.

 

[xirtam]

I enjoyed it. It was worth the $5 I spent watching it. I don't feel a need to watch it again or own it, however.

 

[tanz]

the movie kinda had a spin on an agenda imo ( but i havent read the book )
but again, its a movie
who cares

 

[thraashman]

Originally posted by: torpid
It may be that they inteded it to be generic. But them calling him a terrorist, banning the koran, explicitly stating that the US continued to go to war with people, and the clear references to guantanamo bay should not have been included, in that case. I doubt any of those were in the comic book.

As I said, the author of the comic book also stated that he didn't like them replacing fasicm vs anarchy with liberalism vs neo-conservatism.

Calling him a terrorist - in the book
banning the Koran - in the book
US in wars - sorta (europe was in a war and the US told them stop or we'll nuke you all)
And the movie was still fascism vs anarchy, just not as strong in the anarchy side of things. If you think that they replaced fascism with neo-conservatism, I guess it just shows how incredibly close those two things are.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: thraashman

Originally posted by: torpid
It may be that they inteded it to be generic. But them calling him a terrorist, banning the koran, explicitly stating that the US continued to go to war with people, and the clear references to guantanamo bay should not have been included, in that case. I doubt any of those were in the comic book.

As I said, the author of the comic book also stated that he didn't like them replacing fasicm vs anarchy with liberalism vs neo-conservatism.

Calling him a terrorist - in the book
banning the Koran - in the book
US in wars - sorta (europe was in a war and the US told them stop or we'll nuke you all)
And the movie was still fascism vs anarchy, just not as strong in the anarchy side of things. If you think that they replaced fascism with neo-conservatism, I guess it just shows how incredibly close those two things are.

seriously. this movie has brought out the radical in quite a few people the past few days

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Saw the movie over the weekend and LOVED it!!!! iT was awesome. And i typically (not always) vote Republican. Go get a life and do something other than improperly analyzing movies.

 

[Nightfall]

Ok, I consider myself to be someone who hates politics and who hates politicians for the most part. I vote based on what the candidates stand for. If they stand for what I think is right, they get my vote.

That said, I have seen a lot of movies and am entertained by a majority of them (besides Hostel). Seems that a lot of people out there think that some movies forward a political agenda or slam a certain sect of society. Case in point, V for Vendetta. How about Runaway Jury (gun control) or Life of David Gale (death penalty)? Why can't anyone go into a movie just to be entertained anymore. Personally, I enjoyed all these movies. Doesn't matter if the movie goes along with my beliefs or thoughts. So long as it is an entertaining product.

As for polarizing the country, its a little too late for that. The country today is polarized for the most part with religion being the focal point of everything. To be honest, it disgusts me.

Just go see the freaking movie and be done with it.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Originally posted by: Nightfall
Doesn't matter if the movie goes along with my beliefs or thoughts. So long as it is an entertaining product.

Well said.

I would also like to say for people, who actually care what this movie says, to read Roger Ebert's Review.

OP, this thread was completely unnecessary and stupid, for the simply fact that this movie was designed to entertain and give a little thought, not debate and pick apart. After all, one of it's genre's is Science Fiction/Fantasy.

I for one thought the movie was great, though I woulda prefered a little more "Wachowski" action and a bit less dialogue.

 

[unknownman 007]

I saw it.

I loved it.

And, i'm going to go see it again, two times, to make of for the seats you and your really cool friends that you manipulated (that makes you a really good friend) didn't buy

 

[GasX]

I love when conspiracy theory sponges tell us that we are easily manipulated...

 

[patsun123]

well, at least it's good to know...

that in a grim future where the US has been devastated by war or what not, and fascist regimes rule, that Dell is still selling their monitors. somehow. refurbs probably.

 

[MartyMcFly3]

Just saw it tonight. I enjoyed it. I'm also glad I missed this thread before I saw it.

 

[randym431]

Well sticking to just the film, it WAS awful!!! A good sleep-thru, but cheaper to stay at home and sleep and save the ticket price. It was like 1984 but with zoro, masks and blades. How stupid could they make this??? I really think they just made it to "try" to show off its main star. And they made a big deal about her shaving her head in making it. Oh man, I would not have even shaved my behind for the sake of this film. Lame lame lame!!!
PS. when we entered the theater, we were the ONLY two people in the theater. The only two that watch this. Now THATS a clue you made the wrong movie choice. And I "told" my partner we should have seen the dog movie.....

 

[venk]

Originally posted by: patsun123
well, at least it's good to know...

that in a grim future where the US has been devastated by war or what not, and fascist regimes rule, that Dell is still selling their monitors. somehow. refurbs probably.

Hehe...I noticed that also.

 

[unknownman 007]

Here is what dissapointed me:

Many years into the future, we're still using lame 17" LCDs.

I want some cool! ...Oh well.......