Oh, you want moore?

Just a quick summary/review of V for Vendetta (2006) from a fan of the original graphic novel:

Alan Moore’s graphic novel is about human nature, and how the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The movie, on the other hand, is much more deliberate about manipulation. Where the resolution of both the novel and of the movie is about people waking up from a nightmare and taking back control, the movie is quite literal about this in the political sense.

Is the movie a good movie? Absolutely. And by providing a clear antagonist and elements of conspiracy, it does help give a certain focus to the film that allows it to be enjoyed, well, like an action movie that gives you a hero to cheer and root for, and a villain to wish downfall on.

Moore, I believe, struggled hard to keep his novel from being entirely political. His story is about freedom from fear in the purest sense, and not simply the kind of fear implanted by a fascist government, and so in the novel he gets to comment on just how people can convince themselves they want a fascist government. Understanding this, I can see why he’d react so strongly against this version. V is anarchist in his novel not because he wants chaos, but because he doesn’t want leaders: he wants people to lead themselves.

So do yourself a favor—see the movie AND read the graphic novel as well, and you will see the story of V in so much more depth.