Welcome to Fashion One’s live coverage of the premiere of the highly anticipated film, V for Vendetta. Here’s what you need to know about the movie and the accompanying premiere.
1. It’s The Long Night
The first thing you’ll notice is that V for Vendetta is a very long movie. The Times says it’s 1 hour and 43 minutes long. So if you’re looking for something to watch on a long flight or bus ride, this could be it. The movie itself starts at 7:00 pm, and you’ll have to decide whether or not to go to the theater early to get a good seat.
2. The Protagonist Is A Woman
One of the most significant things about V for Vendetta is that the lead character is a woman, played by the stunning, Anna Maxwell. When asked about her role, Anna says:
I think that in a lot of ways it’s about questioning what heroism is, and being heroic for someone else rather than for yourself. The film’s main character, Vesper, is a feminist who believes that men and women should stand together against evil.
3. We’re In For A Real Character Study
As a result of Anna’s performance as Vesper, and the writing by David Leitch (who also wrote the Deadpool movies), V for Vendetta is an incredibly character-driven film. You’ll get a chance to see a lot of Anna’s Vesper, and Leitch has said that this is the first time he’s created a lead character who isn’t defined by special powers or physical strength.
4. It’s An Absolute Must-See For Marvel Fans
If you’ve been following the recent Marvel movies, you’ll have an idea of what kind of style and tone V for Vendetta will have. The movie is set in a parallel universe where many of Marvel’s most iconic heroes and villains exist (like the Black Widow and the Punisher). In fact, the movie even features cameos from some of the most iconic characters in comics, like Deadpool and Ironman. So if you’re a huge Marvel fan, this is a must-see movie. Especially since the trailers look amazing.
5. It’s Inspired By William Blake’s Paintings
The official synopsis for V for Vendetta describes the film as being “inspired by” the work of artist William Blake. It’s a fitting description, as the movie is filled with Blake-esque imagery. For instance, the trailers showcase a lot of striking images of Blake’s famous London street paintings. The movie is also filled with quotes from Blake’s poems, some of which are included in the film’s end credits. So if you’ve never heard of Blake, now would be an excellent time to learn more about his work.
6. It’s A Real Masterpiece
Even for those who are familiar with Blake’s work, V for Vendetta will still feel like a real treat. The movie’s production values are excellent, and in many ways, it’s one of the most beautifully shot movies ever made. The Times wrote:
Aesthetically, it is a triumph, cleverly combining gritty documentary realism with computer-generated imagery so expert that you would not know where reality ends and the fiction begins. You might even be fooled into thinking that the whole movie was shot on video rather than with film.
7. It’s Gory Yet Poetic
It might be hard to believe, but V for Vendetta is actually rated PG-13 for “strong bloody scenes.” The Hollywood Reporter explains that the rating is a result of some pretty gruesome visuals, like the beheadings and dismemberments of people. Yet, if you open your mind to it, the movie will have a lot to offer. In fact, in my opinion, some of the most gruesome images in recent cinema history were shot for this very movie. Director James Gunn (who also directed 2009’s Super and 2011’s A-Team) has said that he thinks audiences will be “astounded” by what they see in the movie. Of course, it’s hard to say exactly what they’ll see, since we don’t want to ruin the movie for anyone.
8. It’s Scary Yet Hilarious
One of the things that makes V for Vendetta so unique is how it manages to be terrifying and hilarious at the same time. The film opens with a scene that will have you laughing, before continuing to make you jump in your seat. And it’s not just the scene that opens the movie either. The entire first act is filled with various humorous scenes, which even makes the more gruesome scenes seem like nothing more than ridiculous jokes. It’s absolutely hysterical how some of the movie’s villains, like the twins, are basically just a couple of goofy-looking kids. They dress in outlandish costumes and pratfall all over the place, and it’s hard not to laugh at their expense. Yet, at the same time, they’re also terrifyingly calculating and brilliant in their evil ways.
9. The Main Theme Is “Ordinary People (O.P.) Fighting Against The System,” By Led Zeppelin
The movie’s haunting, otherworldly main theme is a cover of Led Zeppelin’s classic, Stairway To Heaven. The track was first performed by Zeppelin in 1971, and the iconic band’s guitarist, Jimmy Page, said that he and the group were “absolutely delighted” with the choice of music. In fact, when Page heard the selection, he reportedly said:
I sat up all night listening to it and finding places for guitar riffs and melodies. It’s one of the most unique pieces of music ever written, and we’re honored to have been asked to cover it.
10. It’s The Latest Film From The Avengers Franchise
Finally, let’s not forget about the biggest reason why V for Vendetta is being celebrated right now: it’s the final film in the Avengers franchise. This means that it’s the culmination of a decade of superhero movies. The fact that it can be seen as both a sequel and a prequel is a testament to how much the movie will resonate with fans of all ages.