OK comic book action

Rating: 7/10 (29 July 2006)

V FOR VENDETTA is a nicely realized adaptation of an old graphic novel by Alan Moore. V (Hugo Weaving) is a Zorro-like character who defends the weak and punishes the corrupt regime that rules the people. Set in near-future England, V takes on the entire British government, run with an iron first by a sickly-looking John Hurt. A very sharp detective played by Stephen Rea is close on V's heels, and a lovely young innocent played by Natalie Portman becomes V's devoted ally. V is a terrorist, but a sympathetic one as he goes about blowing up buildings and battling cops and soldiers. V FOR VENDETTA also has a little bit of Batman and the Scarlet Pimpernel in it, and the ever-disguised hero has fashioned his "new" life from THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO. The movie falters midway when Portman is imprisoned and tortured for a lengthy period, but picks up again for a slam-bang finale as V and Portman plot to blow up Parliament. A little more action and a bit less talking might have raised this B-flick to A-status. As it is, not bad for a movie adapted from a comic book.