V for Vendetta DVD: Better than the book?

So often, the phrase “the book was better” is uttered about movies with big budgets that lack proper storytelling. Many modern movies seem to be lacking the reason behind the big explosions or ballet-like fight scenes. James McTeigue’s V for Vendetta is one of the recent exceptions to this rule, doling out a 1984-inspired plot with witty and intelligent dialogue that seems to have gone extinct in the current era of action films.

McTeigue’s dystopia features many of the ideas breached in George Orwell’s classic novel, including a larger-than-life tyrant, brutal police raids and government sanctioned torture. But the real beauty of the film is in the way that the hero, inspired by historic acts and the belief that people should rule the government and not the other way around, begins a rebellion against a cruel dictatorship.

Hugo Weaving stars as the mask-wearing hero V, who is set on visiting revenge on the government that stole his life. Natalie Portman co-stars in the movie, playing a woman who is inspired by V to support his cause. While the film certainly does not lack action, some of the best scenes are found away from the battle. V’s portrayal of the rise of a dictatorship echoes many of the lessons of world history, while his first-person account of dehumanization presents the story from an insider’s perspective. This is truly one of the great new films released in the action genre.

V for Vendetta is now available on DVD, being sold at around $20. More information on the movie can be found at http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com.