Looks fantastic, but overall I just didn't care for it

Rating: 4/10 (5 November 2011)

After hearing so many good things about V for Vendetta, I was expecting more than what I got. I will say, as someone who hasn't read the book, that it is not a terrible movie, just underwhelming.
Pros: The best thing about V for Vendetta was by far the visuals. The whole film looks fantastic, the camera work and editing are smooth and stylish and the costume and set design are sophisticated. The score/soundtrack was also effective, enhancing the atmosphere when it needed to and had some memorable parts too.
The lighting is brooding and like the score enhance the atmosphere effectively. The idea was also intriguing.
Cons: What didn't work for me was the plot, things weren't explained very well or were underdeveloped, it was sluggish and it just had a very shallow feel to it. I didn't care for the characters either, like the plot they were underdeveloped and and lacked any sort of depth. The script is often stilted, the direction lacked efficiency and despite the cast the acting didn't work for me either.
Hugo Weaving has moments when he is commanding but his weak dialogue let him down, also the characterisation itself seemed threadbare. Natalie Portman seems wooden here, while great actors like John Hurt are underused or forgettable, in regard to Hurt what was even more disappointing was that he suffered from both these things.
All in all, I just didn't care for V for Vendetta, despite the stunning visuals, atmospheric music and the interesting concept. 4/10 Bethany Cox