The Wind That Shakes the Barley

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 5/22/09.

One of Britain's most revered and controversial directors. Ken Loach has made films often dealing with social struggles and political issues. Loach's affiliation with socialist idealism has often put him at odds with people in the film industry despite being a prominent figure in the late 60s and 1970s through TV and film. By the 1980s, he became independent as his films were no longer commercially viable though a revival came in the 1990s. Even as he was considered to be influential by many directors including Steven Soderbergh who put footage of Loach's first film Poor Cow in his 1999 film The Limey. Then in 2006, Loach was in the spotlight again for his most profiled film yet about the Irish conflict with the British with the film The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

Directed by Ken Loach and written by Paul Laverty, The Wind That Shakes the Barley tells the story of two brothers fighting in the Irish War of Independence against the British and later, the Irish Civil War. A film that reveals in the Irish conflict against the British as well as its own conflict within the country, the film also upholds Loach's social idealism as well in this haunting yet realistic tale of conflict. Starring Cillian Murphy, Padraic Delaney, Liam Cunningham, Orla Fitzgerald, and Roger Allam. The Wind That Shakes the Barley is a haunting yet mesmerizing masterpiece from Ken Loach.

It's 1920 Ireland as a group of men playing hurling come home only to be visited by angry members of the British Army known as Blacks & Tans. A young man named Micheal O'Suillebhean (Laurence Barry) is tortured and killed for not saying his name. For a young man named Damian O'Donovan (Cillian Murphy), who was about to leave to become a doctor in London. This incident along with another incident involving a railway guard and a train driver (Liam Cunningham) being beaten has forced Damien to join the Irish Republic Army. Leading the local column of the army is Damien's brother Teddy (Padraic Delaney) as they all prepare to fight a war with the British. After some small victories in attack barracks for supplies and killing four officers at a pub, the little victories seem to go well. Unfortunately, a young named Chris Reilly (John Crean) was forced by a landowner in Sir John Hamilton (Roger Allam) to give out information.

The O'Donovan brothers plus several members of the IRA including the train driver named Dan were captured. Teddy was tortured for information which he refused to give while Damien befriends Dan as they share socialist views. After trying to play mental games with an officer, Damien is beaten as a young soldier named Johnny Gogan (William Ruane) was unable to kill Damien. Later on, Johnny helps free several members as three were forced to be left behind. After capturing Sir Hamilton and Chris Reilly, the news about the three left behind forced Damien to make decisions under the orders of the IRA. Months later with the British having trouble defeating the Irish, an Irish government was made but problems still happened over how to get funding for guns and such with Dan stating claims about what to do.

The battle rages on despite some losses and attacks at the home of Damien's girlfriend Sinead (Orla Fitzgerald) in which she was tortured. The Irish won the war as for a while, it seemed like absolute victory but it didn't grant complete independence from the British. Teddy is convinced that the treaty will avoid further wars against the British but Damien disagrees as he and Dan demand total independence from Britain. Thus starting the Irish Civil War with Teddy on the Free State side and Damien, Dan, and several of the old gang at the Anti-Treaty side. What would happen would tear apart a family as well as Ireland itself for many years.

The film is about conflict that relates to Ireland's struggle for independence that would later lead to civil war until 1949 when it broke completely from England. While screenwriter Paul Laverty creates a film that is part history-lesson but also part drama, it does reveal the Irish struggle against the British and why the treaty divided Ireland. Particularly with its views on socialism that was prominent for those who were against the treaty. While Laverty shows into why those who went for the treaty just so they could avoid war with Britain. Still, it's more of a socialist film with a socialist point of view spurned by its director Ken Loach. It doesn't mean he is trying to force his ideals to the audience but does make his point about what the Irish had to go through.

The screenplay is well structured with the first act about the Irish conflict with the British and Damien's decision to join the IRA and what he had to do. The second act being about the victory against the British and the hopes for an independent Ireland. The third act is about the Irish Civil War and the conflict between the brothers Damien and Teddy. All of that is well-told from the eye-wielding, engaging direction of Ken Loach. Loach's direction is filled with great long shots of the Irish countryside that has a wide depth of field. He also goes for close-ups to be part of the battle scenes while done with great style and almost documentary-like. Though there's no shaky hand-held work as it's mostly shot on steadicams and some still, tripod shots. Loach's direction is indeed phenomenal in playing up to the drama as well as being true to the history of Ireland as he creates a film that is engaging and powerful.

Cinematographer Barry Ackroyd does fantastic work with the film's greenish, colorful look of Ireland with its rough yet haunting shots of the film's exteriors on the countryside. While there's not a lot of bright colors in the film, the dark colors of both exterior and interior settings to play up to the grim tone of the film. Editor Jonathan Morris does some excellent work with the editing in the use of smooth transitions, rhythmic jump-cuts, and fade outs to help structure the story as well as it give it a leisurely pace for its 127-minute running time where it isn't too slow but not too fast either.

Production designer Fergus Clegg along with art directors Michael Higgins and Mark Lowry do spectacular look with the look of 1920s Ireland from the pubs, homes, and places that are filled with dark colors and old cars that is shown throughout the film. Costume designer Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh does stellar work with the costume that plays up to the 1920s look in terms of dresses, hats, suits, and such along with its dirty look of the IRA militia group. The sound work by Ray Beckett and Kevin Brazier do great work in the location sound work that is captured from the battle scenes to the raucous fight and pub scenes that goes on. The music of George Fenton is wonderfully plaintive with broad arrangements and melodies relating to Irish folk music along with the use of traditional ballads in Gaelic and English to play up to the film's historical tone.

The casting by Oonagh Kearney is phenomenal with some notable small roles from Diarmuid Ni Mheachair as a sick boy Damien treats, Nora Lynch as the sick boy's mother, Fiona Lawton as an Irish government official, Mary Murphy as Sinead's sister Bernadette, Mary O'Riordan as Sinead's grandmother Peggy, Damien Kearney as IRA member Finbar, Martin Lucey as IRA official Congo, and Myles Horgan as the crazed IRA soldier Rory. Other memorable small roles from Aiden O'Hare as IRA soldier Steady Boy, Laurence Barry as Micheal O'Suillebhean, John Crean as Chris Reilly, and William Ruane as British soldier turned IRA soldier Johnny Gogan. Noted character actor Roger Allam has a very memorable role as Sir John Hamilton, a British official who captures members of the IRA only to be captured later on.

Orla Fitzgerald is excellent as Sinead, a fellow Irish messenger to the IRA who is also Damien's longtime love as she helps fight the British and side with Damien over the treaty. Liam Cunningham is superb as Dan, a Socialist who fights for the IRA in his hopes for a free Ireland as he reveals why there should be a free Ireland. Cunningham's performance is truly the film's best supporting performance as he delivers such passion and angst into his role. Padraic Delaney is great as Teddy O'Donovan, the older brother who runs a local section of the IRA in his hopes for Irish independence from the British. Yet, when he becomes part of the pro-treaty side, he is conflicted though his intentions are to hope for a peaceful Ireland unaware of his brother's passion for a free Ireland.

Finally, there's Cillian Murphy in what is truly a tour-de-force performance as Damien O'Donovan. Murphy's performance is filled with lots of development as he starts out as an innocent man with dreams to be a doctor. Then after facing the harsh realities of what is going on to his people, he becomes a passionate, angry young man. Murphy's energetic, passionate, and broad performance as it's really the best film role of his career. Even as he goes into fights while leading the IRA during the Civil War as he stands by in his views in his belief for what is right for his country.

The film premiered at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival where it played in competition and became the surprise hit of the festival. The acclaim and surprising reaction helped the film win the Palme D'or beating several contenders vying for the prize. A month later, the film was released in Britain and Ireland to some controversy but did gain rave reviews through a year later when it came out in the U.S. For Ken Loach, the film raised his profile as he began to make more films frequently once again.

The Wind That Shakes the Barley is a harrowing yet powerful film from Ken Loach helmed by Cillian Murphy's superb performances. Fans of Ken Loach films will definitely enjoy the engaging approach and devotion to history over the Irish conflict with British and the Irish Civil War. It's a film that is both a great historical drama while also being a wonderful history lesson about Ireland. While some might not agree with Loach's Socialist views, the film does reveal the issues raised from the Irish over their conflict with Britain. In the end, it's a superbly crafted and mesmerizing film from Ken Loach.

Ken Loach Films:  (Cathy Come Home) - (Poor Cow) - Kes - (The Save the Children Fund Film) - (Family Life) - (The Price of Coal) - (Black Jack) - (The Gamekeeper) - (Looks and Smiles) - (Which Side Are You On?) - (Fatherland) - (Hidden Agenda) - (Riff-Raff) - (Raining Stones) - (Ladybird Ladybird) - (Land and Freedom) - (A Contemporary Case of Common Ownership) - (Carla’s Song) - (The Flickering Flame) - (McLibel (1)) - (My Name is Joe) - (Bread & Roses) - (The Navigator) - Sweet Sixteen - (Ae Fond Kiss…) - (Tickets) - (McLibel (2)) - It’s a Free World... - Looking for Eric - (Route Irish) - (The Angel's Snare) - (The Spirit of '45) - Jimmy's Hall - I, Daniel Blake

© thevoid99 2011

Speed Racer

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 11/21/09.

The 1960s anime cartoon Speed Racer about a young racer who races against the odds under the support of his family and a mysterious driver is among one of the popular cartoons of its time. Though it only lasted an entire season in the U.S., it remains a cult favorite as it was seen through re-runs over the years. In 2008, a film version was finally released after years of troubled development until it came into the hands of producer Joel Silver and the Wachowski Brothers, the team who had gained massive success with the Matrix film franchise.

Directed and written for the screen by Larry & Andy Wachowski, Speed Racer tells the story of a young, talented race car driver who is set to become the greatest racer of his generation. When a corrupt, corporate wants to offer the young man a chance to become the best, the young racer learns some horrible truths about the world of racing as he teams up with a mysterious racer to stop corruption through what they know best. A part action film with elements of comedy and themes about family. The film is a hyperactive yet colorful take on the famed anime cartoon as the Wachowski Brothers create a film that is accessible yet entertaining. With an all-star cast that includes Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Roger Allam, Matthew Fox, Paulie Litt, Kick Gurry, Scott Porter, Rain, Benno Furmann, Yu Nan, and Richard Roundtree. Speed Racer is a fun, exciting film that has enough action and humor for audience of all ages to enjoy.

Set to race against all the odds on a race, Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is out-racing his competitors as his family watch. Among them is his father Pops Racer (John Goodman) who heads the independent Racer Motors that Speed faithfully works for. Also watching are his mother (Susan Sarandon), little brother Spritle (Paulie Litt), their pet chimpanzee Chim-Chim, mechanic Sparky (Kick Gurry), and Speed's girlfriend Trixie (Christina Ricci). Speed wins though misses the record by a split second because the record belongs to his late older brother Rex (Scott Porter) who was killed in the treacherous Casa Cristo race. The death of Rex was hard on the family as he was considered a promising racer until he left Racer Motors to work for a corporation where he played dirty and lost a lot of respect until his death.

Meanwhile, E.P. Arnold Royalton (Roger Allam) arrives to the home of the Racer family to offer Speed a lucrative deal as he invites the entire Racer family to his headquarters where they meet the legendary Cannonball Taylor (Ralph Henforth). Though the offer Royalton is tempting, Speed isn't sure while something else is going on as a mob boss named Cruncher Block (John Benfield) is beating a young racer named Taejo Togokahn (Rain) to lose more races as he was saved by the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox). Speed goes to Royalton to reveal his decision while telling the story about Rex's death as well as what got Pops Racer back into racing over a legendary Grand Prix race. Royalton then reveals something horrifying about the Grand Prix race that Ben Burns (Richard Roundtree) won was all fixed for corporate gain. Spritle, who sneaked in on that meeting with Chim-Chim learns about a new prototype that Royalton is creating.

After turning down Royalton in which, he loses a prestigious race that has the Racer family in trouble. An inspector (Benno Furmann) arrives with Racer X at the Racer house to reveal some news over what happened at the last race along with an offer to stop Royalton with help from Taejo Togokahn who claims to have evidence linking Royalton to Blocker. The problem is that the race is at the treacherous Casa Cristo as Pops refuses to have Speed involved. Speed and Trixie secretly decides to help Racer X and Togokahn as part of a team to defeat dirty racers that includes Snake Oiler (Christian Oliver). Though Speed did great on his own, the first half was won by Snake Oiler making Togokahn upset while the Racer family finds out that Speed is racing the Casa Cristo as Pops reluctantly helps Speed. Along with help from Taejo's sister Horuko (Yu Nan), Speed and his team with Togokahn being the ultimate winner as he gains an invitation to the Grand Prix.

Unfortunately, things doesn't go well at all for Speed as Racer X, who is believed to be Rex, reveals his identity as they're both upset over what Taejo has decided to do in order for his family to gain profit for their own stock. Horuko however, decides to give the Grand Prix invitation to Speed as a lesson to her family where Speed would show racers all over the world what he can do with some surprising help.

The approach that the Wachowskis go for with this film is to simply make a family film. While it's a change of pace from their darker, more violent films. The unique visual style that the Wachowski are known for is there. At the same time, their script which is filled with lots of back story on characters and the world of corporations do work for the most part though the latter story about corporations and stock market does get confusing for some audiences, particularly children. Yet, the heart of the film is Speed Racer and his relationship with his family. Even as Speed is tempted to get things any young racer would want as long as his family is involved. Yet, when he turns down Royalton's offer just out of loyalty to his own family. He realizes what he must do to protect them and also why his brother left Racer Motors in the first place.

While the story does faithfully tell the folklore of Speed and Racer X, the Wachowski does create some interesting storylines about that relationship along with Racer X's secret identity. The direction of the film is very stylized. It's fast, hyperactive, and very colorful all in the anime style. While some audiences might have a hard time keeping up with what's going. The Wachowskis do at least, slow things down so that audiences can get a chance to know the characters and the situation around them. The race sequences are definitely intense along with some humorous sequences that is very appealing to kids which works well with their hyperactive energy. Despite a few flaws in the story and in the direction, the Wachowskis do create a film that is definitely fun to watch.

Cinematographer David Tattersall does some nice work with the film's high-octane look with loads of swirling colors and lighting styles to convey the mood of the race and tone of the film. Editors Roger Barton and Zach Staenberg do excellent work with the film's highly-stylized editing with the use of transition wipes in using characters and object to move from one scene to another along with fast-paced cuts for the film's hyperactive race scenes. Even the use of freeze frames for some of the film's energetic, anime-style sequences. Production designer Owen Paterson along with set decorator Peter Walope and supervising art director Hugh Bateup do some fantastic work with the look and design of the race tracks and Royalton's building. Costume designer Kym Barrett does very good work with the look of Speed's clothes that is reminiscent of the cartoon along with the lavish look of Royalton and other racers as it's faithful to the look of the cartoon.

The visual effects work by supervisor Chadi Abo, John Gaeta, Dan Glass, Kim Libreri, and Kevin Scott Mack is truly phenomenal in its hyperactive, colorful look. While it might seem excessive, it works to convey the energy and feel of the film in terms of its attempts to make it as close as the cartoon. The visual effects work does succeed, notably a comical scene involving Spritle, Chim-Chim, and a ninja. Sound designer Dane A. Davis does some excellent work in the sound work of tire squeals, engine growls, and other things that goes on during the race. Music composer Michael Giacchino brings a playful, broad score to the film that plays up to its humor and bombastic racing scenes with huge orchestral arrangements as it's an excellent score piece from Giacchino.

The casting by Lora Kennedy and Lucinda Syson is brilliant with some memorable small roles from Nicholas Elias as a young Speed, Ariel Winter as a young Trixie, original Speed Racer voice actor Peter Hernandez as a local race announcer, Nayo Wallace as Racer X's girlfriend Minx, Ralph Henforth as Cannonball Taylor, Cosma Shiva Hagen as Royalton's assistant Gennie, German punk vocalist Jana Pallaske as a dirty racer at Casa Cristo, Togo Igawa as Mr. Togokahn, and Ben Miles as a Grand Prix commentator. Other small roles from more well-known actors as Melvil Poupaud as a Casa Cristo announcer, Hiroyuki Sanada as a business rival of Royalton, and Richard Roundtree as Ben Burns are great in their brief but memorable apperances.

Christian Oliver is funny as dirty racer Snake Oiler while John Benfield is very good as the thuggish Crunch Blocker. Scott Porter is pretty good in his brief role as Rex Racer while Korean pop vocalist Rain is also good as Taejo Togokahn with Yu Nan in a fine role as his good-natured sister Horuko. Kick Gurry is funny as Speed's mechanic Sparky who can't fight to save his life while Paulie Litt is fantastic as Spritle, the kid who loves candy and be with his pet chimp Chim-Chim, who rules. Benno Furmann is fine in a small role as the Inspector Detective who helps the Racer family find ways to fight corruption. In a very understated but light-humorous performance, Matthew Fox is excellent as the mysterious Racer X who helps Speed fight corruption while giving him some advice about doing the right thing.

Roger Allam is great as Royalton, the corporate honcho who will do what it takes to make more money and make Speed's life a living hell as Allam definitely hams it up and gives a glorious performance. Susan Sarandon is really good in a small yet understated role as Mom Racer who ground Speed while providing the warmth and calmness the family needed. John Goodman is fantastic as Pops Racer, a man who is all about the love of racing and a distaste for corporations while showing that he isn't naive as Speed thinks he is while can easily beat up a ninja. Christina Ricci is really good as Trixie, Speed's girlfriend who definitely can help Speed think things clearly while showing that she can be more than helpful on the race tracks as she even says the character's trademark line, cool beans. Emile Hirsch is brilliant as the title character in displaying a young man driven to win but also confused by the myths of races as Hirsch definitely carries the film with a coolness and complexity as it's definitely a worthy follow-up to his brilliant role in Sean Penn's Into the Wild a year earlier.

While it's not a perfect film, Speed Racer is a good, fun, entertaining film from the Wachowski Brothers that is a definite improvement over the let-downs that were the Matrix sequels. While fans of the original cartoon might have issues with its hyperactive look and tone, it is a film that is faithful while adding a nice spin to the cartoon. While it didn't do well in the box office when it came out in May 2008 largely due to some bad trailers. It's a film that needs to be seen since it is funny, it's got lots of action, and a strong theme about family. In the end, Speed Racer is a film that is worth anyone's time except for those cootie-sensitive viewers.

Wachowski Brothers Reviews: (Bound) - (The Matrix) - (The Matrix: Reloaded) - (The Matrix Revolutions) - Cloud Atlas

(C) thevoid99 2011

V for Vendetta

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 3/29/06 w/ Additional Edits.

George Orwell's iconic novel 1984 foretold a story about the world being controlled by a totalitarian state where everything and everyone is being watched by a man named Big Brother. Today, Orwell's novel is more relevant through a variety of forms as people sees Orwell's tale right in their face with the chaos of the world. Many films, books, and pieces of music have referenced or used Orwell's idea into art including a graphic novel about a masked vigilante who fights a Fascist government in future Britain by Alan Moore and illustrator David Lloyd called V for Vendetta. The graphic novel became a cult favorite among comic book fans that was so beloved, it even caught the attention of Andy and Larry Wachowski, the creators of The Matrix film series. Though mixed reviews on the latter films of The Matrix chose for them to take a step back from the spotlight, it didn't stop their interest for V for Vendetta which they decided to make into their next project.

Screenplay by the Wachowski brothers with their first assistant director James McTeigue serving as the director, V for Vendetta is an action, political thriller about a futuristic, Fascist-run government in Britain that is threatened by a masked vigilante named V. With people being taken for their subversive ideals, a young woman is also taken where she eventually becomes V's only true ally. Straying away from the excess and mythology of The Matrix, McTeigue, the Wachowskis, and producer Joel Silver chose to create a smart, provocative, and entertaining film that brings enough character and action for a mass audience. Starring Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Stephen Rey, Stephen Fry, Sinead Cusack, Rupert Graves, and John Hurt. V for Vendetta is an excellent, smart action film that challenges the post-9/11 world.

It's futuristic London with years ahead of the 21st Century where everything is restricted and everyone is watched. Even curfew is at stake when a young woman named Evey (Natalie Portman) is about to be raped until she is saved by a masked vigilante named V (Hugo Weaving). After saving her, he reveals to her of his ideas and who he is when he shows her what's about to happen since its hours away for November 5th, which is Guy Fawkes Day. Guy Fawkes was remembered as a man who tried to blow up the building of Parliament in the 17th Century only to be captured and hung. To commemorate this day, V blows up a building in front of the citizens of London and to Evey's horror.

The incident has caught the attention of the country's supreme Chancellor Adam Sutler (John Hurt) who is angry that his own control is now being under attack by an unknown terrorist. He calls for his council member Creedy (Tim Pigott-Smith) to take action. Meanwhile, another of Sutler's insiders, an inspector named Eric Finch (Stephen Rea) has been called to investigate what's going on with help from his assistant Dominic (Rupert Graves). With Evey continuing her work as a production assistant for her boss and TV talk show host, Gordon Deitrich (Stephen Fry), she gets called by him who blamed himself for having to call on her, especially on curfew. While working, V arrives to take charge of the network as he plans to strike again on the next Guy Fawkes Day as he plants a bomb on the TV network station. While trying to escape, Evey tries to help but gets knocked out as V takes her to his underground compound.

Watching the incident closely is Finch who sees that Evey has been captured and could be an accomplice of V. He follows her file closely which reveals that her parents were political activists at the time Sutler was in power shortly after an incident concerning a small plague. Learning that she's in V's underground compound filled with books and artwork, Evey learns from V about his own past which reveals his reasons for wearing a costume and a Guy Fawkes mask. She learned it is from a government lab experiment that went horribly wrong. While she doesn't like his violent approach, she does understand why he's rebelling as V is killing off several people who have burned and experimented on him. One of those targets was a former military commander-turned-TV talk show host named Lewis Prothero (Roger Allam). After reluctantly helping V to reach another of his targets, Evey leaves and hides out in the home of Deitrich.

Finch follows the evidence very closely as he learns that the terrorist known as V might be going after those in an incident following a failed lab experiment One of those people was a former doctor now a coroner named Delia Surridge (Sinead Cusack), who has been wracked with guilt over the incident and had been hiding. When Finch tries to contact her home, she had been found dead only to leave evidence for Finch to find out. Then, Finch begins to question as he and Dominic wonder if any of the incidents including the plagues, water poisoning, and everything else had been under the control of the government. With Evey staying at Deitrich's home, she learns that Deitrich too, has been hiding elements of art including an old copy of the Koran. When he decided to do a show where he lampoons Sutler and V, he gets into trouble as Evey's attempt to escape only gets her captured.

Immediately, Creedy interrogates Evey about the whereabouts and identity of V as she is tortured, abused, beaten, and gets her head shaved in order to reveal the information. While she refuses, she becomes more and more desperate until a letter from next door is revealed by a woman named Valerie (Natasha Wightman) who reveals to herself about her own life. The letters from next door give Evey more of a chance to live as she had escaped and finds herself returning to V. After a brief meeting, she briefly leaves to wait for November 5th while Finch's investigation gains some ground as he learns more about his own government's involvement. There, V goes for his final stand with the people of London watching.

While most films about Fascist governments, especially from a novel like 1984 reveal the idea of a dystopian world where everything is in chaos and leads to a rebellion. In the case for this film, especially in today's world, the film does speak in volumes while bringing a nice balance of no-holds-barred entertainment and bringing in a nice dose of political idealism. While the major flaw in the political part of the film is that the film is one-sided for the most part when it comes to the revolt and subversive ideas of V in destroying the government. It's understandable that V and the people of London are living in a totalitarian time where they're on watch and there's a curfew abroad with trying not to anger the government altogether. McTeigue does a great job in showing the examples of the dystopian world but he doesn't bring enough back-story on how the government party got built or how they came into power.

Still, for the most part, McTeigue and the Wachowski brothers do bring enough sense and humor into the political realm. One of the controversial themes about the film is terrorism. It's not that the film is supporting terrorism but in this post-9/11, it's likely that it won't stop. Terrorism is often inspired by some form of oppression where it's come to the point that it's attack and attack. One of the things that McTeigue and the Wachowski brothers have done isn't see the positive or negative aspect of terrorism but to try and find reasons for it. There, the result only brings more questions than answers. Especially when Evey tries to tell V that violence isn't sometimes the answer. Yet, Evey does come to the point sometimes, action does speak louder than words as she has to learn more about that process, especially when it involves about her own family and colleagues.

The political aspect of the film is wonderfully drawn out and smart despite its flaws which gives the film a nice break from the usual world of action. Still, the action sequences are done with great style which is similar to the approach of The Matrix but owes more to an 1938 film version of the Dumas novel The Count of Monte Cristo, which is referenced throughout the entire film. There's also a bit of 1984 in the political part of the film while the balance of drama, action, and political intrigue does bring a film that works on every level. The script and McTeigue's direction not only work with creating an amazing film but fleshing out real characters, especially in the development of Evey, V, and Finch. The great thing that the Wachowski brothers do is create real people in real situations while feeding off the world they live and hoping to do what they feel is right.

Helping McTeigue in his vision is late cinematographer Adrian Biddle (whom the film is dedicated to after his death in late 2005) who creates a wonderfully gray look for the film's night scenes while bringing out great, colorful lighting in a dreamy sequences involving the character of Valerie. Biddle's cinematography is amazing and wonderful exquisite to bring out the look and tone of the film as his work is amazing and he is a great cinematographer that will be missed.

Helping with the look of the film are production designer Owen Paterson plus art directors Marco Bittner Rosner, Sarah Horton, Sebastian T. Krawinkel, and set decorator Peter Walpole. The look of the film is distinct for the dystopian tone of the black, red flags of the government to the things that Deitrich and V have like the books, artwork, and stuff that fills around the room that suits their personalities. Costume designer Sammy Sheldon also does wonderful work in creating the Guy Fawkes look and the prison look that Evey takes on while presenting, a nice, militaristic look of the government.

Helping to piece the film together in the perspective of what's going on, especially in the third act is editor Martin Walsh who does some great cutting work and perspective cuts that gives a nice pacing and feel into the movie while it giving a nice, leisurely feel to the entire film. Sound designer Glenn Freemantle does some wonderful work with the sound to give the sense of suspense while visual effects supervisors Dan Glass and Matt Johnson help flesh out the look of the film plus the visual designs of the destruction that goes on the film. In the music department, composer Dario Marianelli brings great work in capturing the dystopian feel of the film along with its intense, action sequences. The film's soundtrack is very diverse with not just a bit of jazz cuts plus music from Tom Waits and Cat Power. Added to give the film a nice coda that plays well to the film’s politics is a classic tune from none other than, the Rolling Stones.

Finally, there's the film's superb cast that includes some great, minor performances from Clive Ashborn as Guy Fawkes, Billie Cook as a little girl in love with V's ideas, and Natasha Wightman as Valerie, who brings a nice presence to the film and provides the determination for Evey's change in political idealism. Rupert Graves does excellent work as Finch's partner Dominic. Sinead Cusack is excellent in a small role as a target for V as her performance brings a wonderful sense of importance to the plot while in her scene with V, she commands a dignity that is rarely scene in a confrontational scene. Roger Allam is excellent as this Rush Limbaugh-like talk show host who commands enough attention and demeanor that he does great work as a villain while Tim-Pigott Smith is also excellent as the devious Creedy.

Stephen Fry gives a wonderfully funny, sweet performance as Evey's talk-show superior whose love for art and comedy give Evey reasons to rebel against the government as Fry is a stand-out.John Hurt goes full circle from his performance as Winston Smith in a 1984 film version of 1984 to play a Big Brother-like leader in Adam Sutler. Hurt brings a great, terrorizing presence that is almost scary to watch as his rage in full close-up is enough to reveal the intensity of his performance. This is truly one of Hurt's best work as he stands out in full-form as Sutler.

Stephen Rea also does great supporting work as Eric Finch with his indifferent, observant performance who relies more on his instincts to try and see if things are wrong. Rea is perfect in his role as he tries to bring a perspective of what could be right or if he is doing the wrong thing. Hugo Weaving gives a wonderfully charming yet menacing performance as title role of V. Though most of his performance is in a mask, Weaving brings enough charm and wit to his role that doesn't make him feel like a terrorist but rather a vigilante. Weaving has great chemistry with Natalie Portman throughout the film while revealing his own vulnerability with his body language which brings depth into a role that doesn't require to reveal a lot of emotions. Fortunately, Weaving does masterful work in his performance.

Then, there's Natalie Portman (It's Po'tman motherfucka!), who gives probably one of the best performances of her career. While she falters a bit with the English accent, Portman's ability to display emotions and observance that overshadows whatever flaws she might have. Whereas George Lucas directs Natalie to display awful lines with stilted performances, McTeigue and the Wachowski brothers do great utilization of her talent. Natalie sells every moment of despair and anguish into her torture scenes while making her into a full character who goes from being a fearful young woman to a woman who no longer sees or feels fear but wants to do something. Even stripping down physically, Portman brings a presence that is unique and hypnotic that it's bar-none, one of her strongest. It's clear that in an age of young starlets trying to get the biggest paycheck or get the right movie for an Oscar nod. Natalie Portman is right now the Best Actress of Her Generation. If you don't think so, read this from comedy actor Andy Samberg:

Natalie you are a badass batch (hell yeah)

and I will pay for your dry cleaning when my shit gets in your shoe (what)

as for the drug use, well I can vouch for that

my dick is scared of you, girl

-In the Life of Natalie Portman by Natalie "MotherFucking" Po’tman

Overall, V for Vendetta is a fun, smart action film that has enough bang for the buck while presenting the audience with some smart, political insight. Though this film is not meant to inspire terrorism, it does question the intention of what terrorism is trying to say. It's just a fun movie to watch thanks to Joel Silver, James McTeigue, and the Wachowski brothers with great performances from Natalie "M.F." Po'tman, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Fry, Stephen Rea, and John Hurt. In the end, for anyone wanting to celebrate fireworks and want a revolution, go see V for Vendetta.

(C) thevoid99 2010