This is Dystopia! V for Vendetta: The Social Justice Warrior!

In honor of November, I thought a re-post of this film review would suffice. Not to mention its relevance thanks to what is happening or rather could happen in today's society.

Written by The Wachowskis
 Directed by James McTeigue

What's V all about? Written by the Wachowskis (The Matrix, Speed Racer and Sense 8) and based on Alan Moore's cult classic DC Comics™ limited series, V is set in an alternative future where a neo-fascist regime has subjugated the United Kingdom. Hugo Weaving portrays V, an anarchist freedom fighter who attempts to ignite a revolution through elaborate terrorist acts and Natalie Portman plays Evey, a young, working-class woman caught up in V's mission, while Stephen Rea portrays the detective leading a desperate quest to stop V.

 People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.

How would you rate it and why? With its heavy leaned message about oppression and resistance V is not your basic "Superhero" film instead the namesake protagonist is more of an anti-hero who goes that extra mile when punishing the bad guys while bearing a charming, yet charismatic persona as opposed to your average brooding vigilante. There are great callbacks to the other dystopian film 1984, especially when you factor in the late great John Hurt as part of the cast, in a role reversal kinda way. Natalie Portman's Evey, was not too convincing as an English woman and I saw her nothing more than some supporting character to drive the plot device as in V's vendetta. However, its Hugo Weaver's performance as the titular character, that steals the show.

 It's unfortunate that Weaver has decided to no longer appear in these franchise films as he brought a modicum of gravitas to said movies Captain America The First Avenger and before that,Agent Smith from The Matrix. Overall, I rate V for Vendetta, as in V for "Very good"!

 If there is one flaw I can point out, is the 2nd act involving Evey being "imprisoned" only to find out that her captors weren't who she thought them to be. It came off as a bad practical joke. However, the cautionary narrative from this adaptation, is nothing to laugh about. Especially, when one can draw comparisons between V for Vendetta and what's occurred  in our world!

  Significance:

• Talk show pundits that mirrors the Alt-Right who exposes bigotry, racism, Nationalism and xenophobia as "talking points". Basically, FOX News and other sensational political commentary networks who deliver "Fake News" to further push their agendas.
• Equally thought-provoking, is how the media often promotes fear mongering by utilizing the "Boogeyman"  narrative which at times, mislead the public into a panic frenzy, while certain corporations and businesses benefit from mass hysteria especially when it comes to firearms.
• Censorship of alternative media outlets such as YouTube content creators who deliver informative segments that the mainstream media refuses to broadcast. The truth is out there, indeed.
• America slowly becoming a fascist state thanks to President 45, and with his lack of intolerance for the underclass, gave rise to resistance groups i.e. Antifa. And have you noticed, how the visage of push back coalition groups such as Anonymous bears resemblance to Anarchist Guy Fawkes?
• Of course, there's government surveillance implanted after the September 11 attacks and is still used to this very day to track down Terrorists.
• Homophobia and Xenophobia: Trump has made promise to expel thousands of illegals by reversing DACA as well as the reversal of Anti-discriminatory laws that have protected Homosexuals within the workplace.
• There's a great revelation of how the High Chancellor, (Played so brilliantly by John Hurt) came into power and some would say, that it sounds all too familiar. And you know what, they may be right!V is not perfect, but it's a thinking man's comic film nonetheless. The conclusion is satisfying and I would say, that this is one of the better Alan Moore based films. Hell, perhaps one of the better DC films, period!

Footnote: When society reaches its boiling point, it;s a necessity for brave individuals to stand up against the oppression of others. Although these films demonstrated how one man can make a difference, it's a purely a work of fiction. However, in the real world, we must rely on those who would push back against oppressors be they corrupt government officials, police officers or white supremacists as witnessed in New York, NY, Missouri and Charlottesville, VA. People like these can and will make a difference and it begins with one person at a time!

 "Without struggle, there is no progress"-Fredrick Douglass

 "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

Meta-Man loves to tackle self referential art  which may be seen as a reflection of today's society.
Be it political allegories or satirical references, he's on it!