V For Vendetta (DVD, 2006, Widescreen)

Making a splash on the scene in 2006, V for Vendetta may not cater to any one set of movie-goers, but seems to fit into niche of its own. Just as George Orwell's novel "1984" attempted to paint a portrait of our own future, this film seems to have done so with believability and impact. The Wachowski Brothers wrote the screenplay and can greatly be recognized with the high brow sci-fi "Matrix Trilogy" which gave them the credibility to do just about anything they want in film.

The story-line, although complex at times, seems to always come together and present the future through the eyes a madman and his semi-captor cohert Evey (Natalie Portman), a working class young lady, that has as many high ideals as most, but tries to comprehend V (Hugo Weaving), who hides his identity behind the mask of a madman. Little do we know that V was seeking vengeance upon the leaders of the now nation lead by the Grand Prime Minister of Britian played by John Hurt. The tension that develops as our bold and charismatic freedom fighter V schemes and plot to get payback from the people that scarred him for life.

This film has many different fight scenes with confusing and unexpected cat and mouse play between V and the so-called establishment that wish to snuff him out.
The mailing of the masks to various places even makes it harder to stop him since everyone wants to mimic his progress. The exactness and timing of certain events in this film make it a real knuckle chewer.

Natalie Portman delivers an astounding range of emotional power in this film and helps the film along by revealing a side to Evey that we don't see at the beginning.

I give this a 5/5 for action, intrigue, cleverness, and forcing us to find no middle ground between the opposing views that this film screams for us to do.

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V for Vendetta" is going to confuse a lot of people. Nevertheless, and make no mistake about it, this is movie making of the highest order, combining all the finest elements of great storytelling into a potent roller coaster of a movie filled with great action,intellect and above all, ideas. Its message can - and will - easily be dismissed by naysayers as sophomoric or too "out there," or "anti-american" but there is also an earnestness here that will resonate strongly, and perhaps, frighteningly, to many viewers who will not fail to see the correlation between this fictional tale and the way the world we live in works.

Filled with stereotypes and archetypes, "V" is unapologetic in its essaying of morality and in its strongly held sentiment that this tale is "for the people, by the people." Brothers and writers Larry and Andy Wachowski (of Matrix fame) have infused their screenplay with the anger, confusion and hope captured in Alan Moore's original graphic novel - and it's better looking as a result.

I truly believe that many who see "V" will be upset by it, but hopefully more of us will be inspired by its bold, blatant message and take a good hard look at ourselves and the way the world works around us and see that, with sacrifice and thoughtfulness, the world can be changed.

As Evey, Natalie Portman is cast in something of the "victim" role, but she makes us route for her, and to her credit she goes beyond that making the transformation of her character not only believable, but in the end, noble.

Hugo Weaving - the man behind the mask - gives a performance that can only be described as mesmerizing. As "V" he exposes all of the strength and weakness of a character that is equal parts savior and villain.

The physical production is beautiful in its realism as it paints a nightmarish world of the not-very-distant future (2020) and is chilling in its depiction of governmental power, socio-political corruption and, ultimately, the complacency of its citizens. Weaving's "V" challenges, and ultimately changes all of that, as he quickly unravels the fabric of civilized society, capturing the public with his bold ideas - and with the promise and permanancy of change through rebellion and political uprising.

Most chillingly, the film invokes the dread once feared in "1984" but with a renewed vigor that drives home the horrors Orwell foresaw, and still loom large in our comfy modern world. Chilling? You betcha! For those who know the novel, there is little skimping, and, given the current world situation, one must absolutely applaud the filmmakers for "going there" as far as the ending is concerned. This is film making at its emotional and challenging best.

Are there flaws? Of course there are, but ultimately "V for Vendetta" rises far above them in its presentation of a world filled with ideas that have forever been debated, and does it in a story well told, beautifully acted and full of hope for humankind. Not bad work for a movie. Actually, it's magnificent.

V for Vendetta is brought to you by the Wachowski brothers (creators of the Matrix trilogy). In this flick they bring to life the DC comic character V whose mission is to free a post apocalyptic United Kingdom from a religious, self-righteous, fascist government. The message of this story is that human ideals and freedoms will overcome the lies and misdeeds of an oppresive government. The movie stars Hugo Weaving, as V, and Natalie Portman as EV.

This is a dramatic movie that relies mainly on the acting abilities of its two main characters. This is not a high-tech special effect thriller. The world that Evie and V inhabit is a London similar in technology, atmoshpere and development to the current day. It's refreshing to see a comic book brought to the screen that relies on the skills of the actors instead of the magic of cg. Hugo Weaving does an admirable job of bringing V to life.

Not to give anything away, but somewhere during the middle of the movie I was quite disappointed in EV. However, by the end she eventually redeems herself and becomes the reluctant heroin of this action adventure. All-in-all V for Vendetta is a movie with a theme that has been brought to the screen numerous times. It's basically the Count of Monte Cristo brought to you in a futuristic world. This isn't a great movie, but it's worth watching.

This movie is a cross between George Orwell's 1984 and the Matrix. It features an England of the future whose repressive government constantly monitors its populace for signs of rebellion, or subversion. Those that deviate from the norm are removed and either tortured or killed. Fighting this oppression is the masked V who is perhaps the most intelligent yet deadly crime fighter / rebel ever seen. V can spout poetry one moment and throw knives with deadly accuracy the next.

V for Vendetta was originally a DC comic and the movie stays true to that origin. The Wachowski Brothers, who released the Matrix movies, do an impressive job of translating this comic to film. The special effects are excellent as is the mood and atmosphere they create for the film. The story moves along crisply with no real slow points and the acting is solid. Natalie Portman is quite good as is Stephen Rea and John Hurt in a supporting role. The story line is also quite good and keeps you guessing through most of the movie.

V for Vendetta is visually appealing, has excellent fight sequences, good acting, and a great story line. Basically this movie has something for everyone so get it today and enjoy.

This is a great movie, set in the not to distant future in England, about what could happen if government gets out of control. While there is some swearing and a little bit of raunchiness, it's not unnecessary or over the top, as it is there to demonstrate the wickedness of the bad guys. Our two hero's are played brilliantly by the adorable Natalie Portman, who is impossible to dislike, and Hugo Weaving of Matrix and Lord of the Rings fame. You get to see corrupt ambitioin at it's worst and what it can do to a nation and also how it ruins individual lives, and also the courage of the individuals to fight against it. While I would not recomend this movie for children, I believe everyone over 17 should see it at least once. With enough action to satisfy the fellas, and a hint of romance and a strong female lead for the ladies, this move is entertaining and thought provoking and enjoyable for most ages and demographics.

I bought this movie because it reminds me not to buy into the propoganda and to be willing to stand up against a corrupt government, because freedom isn't guaranteed to anyone, no matter where you were born.