Professor Popinjay's Compendium of Perspicacity

A Non-Review by Professor Popinjay

(2006)

Oof. I am just not feeling this one right now. I used to love this movie. Now that the world closely reflects the situations presented in this film, I have a hard time being entertained by it. The last thing I want to do is get into a political discussion here.

I believe the tool of anonymity, while providing safety when used properly (so writes the man who uses the nom de plume), is also frequently abused as a shield from backlash, freeing us to often be brash and impolite on the internet. Anonimity can make us too safe, so to speak, and our toxicity festers and grows, feeding off itself, making social media a place that can be unconducive to our mental health and thus society as a whole.

Today every bad idea develops a following and then a community with which people identify and in identity suddenly we want rights and while there is nothing invalid about how we identify and nothing wrong with having rights, it can get tricky because rights can infringe on the rights of others if gone about incorrectly.

I hate politics. I may be guilty of some toxic opinions but I really do try to encourage others to develop their own opinions and I never mean to sway anyone on anything. Where I draw the line on my political apathy however is at humanitarian needs. Ideas, innovation, morals, identity, persuasion, convictions; none of these things mean anything if they are not inspired by and result in unconditional love.

V for Vendetta demonstrates this to a degree. And yet it pits itself against the villains using the same weapons as the enemy. I love an action flick as much as the next guy but I find watching someone consumed by revenge to be rather tragic.

The character V is killing everyone who wronged him even, it seems, some who are repentant?

Secondly, while I think more likely he is wishing to instill ideals behind the symbol of his mask more than hide behind anonymity, he also proclaims himself the “Vox Populi” while engaging in criminal activities (I refer to murder and terrorism).

I understand his motives but I can’t condone his methods and therefore I resent him declaring himself the voice of the people. If he had simply been inspiring people to action, more power to him. Defending one’s self or the wellbeing of another is one thing but seeking to dole out death to manifest one’s ideals, however justified, is disgusting.

I will never throw in my lot with any group who would lie in wait for the blood of others for any reason. The only weapons truly effective against hatred and death is Love and compassion extended supernaturally through each of us toward literally everyone else without exception or cessation.

My choice to combat a hate-filled world with only these weapons may likely result in my death at the hands of those who crave violence but I am one microscopic cog in an infinite machine and despite the unfavorable outcome of some battles, ultimately Love will not fail.

That being said, the acting in V for Vendetta is superb, the action is stellar, and the message it’s trying to convey is profound and important. It really is a quality film despite its shortcomings.