movie review by David Blackwell

Rated R, 132 minutes,

starring Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, John Hurt, and Stephen Rhea

"No such thing as coincidence. Only the illusion of coincidence."- V

V FOR VENDETTA is a vivid, volatile, and vicious movie. Look no further because V FOR VENDETTA is one of the best films of 2006.

John Hurt plays Adam Sutler, the bad guy leader of fascist Great Britain in the mid 21st century (he was a man up against defying big brother in the 1984 movie version of George Orwell's 1984). He will make sure the nation is ruled with an iron fist. The man who defies him is V (Hugo Weaving), a terrorist who always wears a Guy Fawkes mask and carries knives. He drags Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) into his world after he saves her from the government's ominous Fingermen. Evey tries to understand V, but she doesn't until she finds out the secrets that her former boss holds. V is a terrorist with a very theatrical bent out to bring down the fascist regime of Hot on V's trail is Chief Inspector Finch (Stephen Rhea) who starts to question the government as he learns about V's victims and the Lark Hill Detention Facility. He tries to be the loyal cop to the very end, but he doesn't follow blindly anymore.

"A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having."- V

The speech that V gives at the beginning with only words starting with V is a classic scene. Also the TV show making fun of the government is a hoot V FOR VENDETTA wants me to go out and find a copy of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO (the old black and white film) featured in this film. I love V. Hugo Weaving steals the show as the guy, but a couple of other actors do threaten to steal it away from Hugo. Not bad for a guy who wears a mask and you never see his face. Natalie Portman shows she can act when given a good director (and prove George Lucas doesn't know how to direct actors in the Star Wars films and yet that may not be what George is focusing on). V FOR VENDETTA is a stunning directorial debut for James McTeigue.

V FOR VENDETTA does take some liberty's while adapting Alan Moore's graphic novel (to the point that Alan had his name taken off from the film and he doesn't work for DC Comics anymore). The movie does serve as a veiled commentary on the George W. Bush administration and the times the USA lives in after the attacks on September 11th, 2001. V FOR VENDETTA is like a remake of 1984, but this time you can fight against Big Brother. It goes farther than 1984 ever went (in book or film). V FOR VENDETTA is a very vivid vision that will be remembered by people for years to come.

"This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is it vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished, as the once vital voice of the verisimilitude now venerates what they once vilified. However, this valorous visitation of a by-gone vexation, stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin van-guarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta, held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose vis-à-vis an introduction, and so it is my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V."

this review is (c)3-23-2006 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission (except for excerpts and a link to the review). Look for additional content at http://enterlinemedia.livejournal.com and send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com