McTeigue’s 2005 “V for Vendetta” is a thought-provoking thriller

Following their work on “The Matrix,” The Wachowskis and James McTeigue paired again to create another complicated, dystopian work of art in “V for Vendetta.”

While “The Matrix” is fast-paced and exciting, “V for Vendetta” takes its time to paint the picture of a neo-fascist United Kingdom unknowingly on the brink of a revolution. Evey Hammond, a seemingly average woman working for a TV station, gets tangled up into the explosive life of V, a masked vigilante obsessed with justice.

The film has many themes, including coincidence, fear and the eternal idea, but there’s almost too many details shoved into the 2 hours and 12 minutes of vengeance to catch them all. Luckily for me, I’m a sucker for symbolism and overanalyzed every moment.

If you pay attention to the sounds of the movie, you’ll notice Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” acts as a recurring signal for incoming chaos. V seems to understand that the quiet beginning, sudden crescendo and triumphant ending of the song create the perfect soundtrack to his own acts of violence.

The movie is dark, and the colors and settings reflect that. Bright colors act as a representation of hope and happiness, and we only see a few moments of vibrancy in the form of flashbacks, reinforcing the gloom of the totalitarian society.

One of the most striking elements of this film is Natalie Portman’s characterization of Hammond. Portman manages to portray vulnerability and strength, naivety and intelligence, hatred and love, all in one character. Her journey is innately one of the saddest, but one of the most touching and most human.

It’s important to understand that V is more than just a mask. Though we never see his face, and even he describes himself as an idea more than a person, V expresses empathy and emotion multiple times, once throwing his mask at his reflection through sobs. His tears show that an idea is never just an idea, no matter how much he wants it to be.

V’s ultimate mission is a powerful and important one. His anger, dedication and — of course — homemade bombs work to dismantle the deeply discriminatory, dangerous tyrant Adam Sutler. V’s masterful combat skills make him nearly invincible in the face of challengers, but even so, he calls on the entire country to join him in taking down the oppressive system in which they have all become complacent.

Whether you’re an action fan, a romance fan or not much of a movie fan at all, this film has something for you. It’s careful. It’s thrilling. It’s real, and it’s worth the watch.