Had the most potential of all films this year, and it was squandered

Rating: 6/10 (10 July 2006)

In 1983, Alan Moore wrote his seminal graphic novel, "V for Vendetta." That future was 1997. Now, 23 years after the book and nine years after the time the book was set, Andy and Larry Wachowski, the men behind "The Matrix" trilogy, bring us "V for Vendetta." Set in Britain sometime in the 2020s after America has fallen from supremacy and Britain is a powerful police state, "V for Vendetta" tells the tale of V (Hugo Weaving), a vigilante clad in cloak, cap and Guy Fawkes mask, as he recruits Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) to join him in bringing down the fascist regime. His tactics involve blowing up Parliament, an act which effectively finishes what Guy Fawkes failed to accomplish 400 years ago, kidnapping and killing government workers, and ending with a literal big bang at a famous clock.
Is the movie going public ready for a film which depicts terrorism? Not to mention that the terrorist is the hero. It's only been four and a half years since the events of 9/11, and just nine months since the actual terrorist attacks in London. Its $26 million opening weekend suggests that yes, we are.
"V for Vendetta", in its coincidental timeliness (it's been in pre-production for 18 years) sets the stage for the more reality based, but equally topical, "Flight 93" due out in April and "World Trade Center," coming to theatres this August, both dealing with the events of 9/11/01.
Weaving is by and large gives one of the best performances of his career as V, the charismatic and Shakespeare quoting rogue that is equal parts D'Artagnan, Lex Luther and, of course, Guy Fawkes. He has to let his voice and body movement convey his emotions and thoughts, as the Fawkes mask he wears throughout the film doesn't afford him the use of facial expression. He has a very distinct and dynamic voice, which he uses to his advantage in this role.
Portman proves that the "Star Wars" films were a career fluke and she actually can act. She puts on a British accent for this role and handles the tortured (figuratively and literally) Evey with the poise and skill of a seasoned veteran.
And they both benefit from the amazing supporting cast which includes character actor Stephen Rea as Detective Finch, the aging cop assigned to hunt down V, and John Hurt as the tyrannical dictator.
The Wachowskis produce and write this film; letting protégé and "Matrix" second unit director James McTeigue take the helm of this film. Therein lies the problem. Moore had an idea and the vision to carry it out when he created this alternative world. The Wachowskis were able to translate and adapt it to the silver screen and the actors were able to bring it to life. But McTeigue lacks any sort of discernible vision and directs this film with all the standard clichés and mistakes that one would expect from a first time director. For this sort of delicate and weighty subject matter, I'd rather have a more seasoned veteran behind the wheel. The Wachowskis should have directed this one, as there are many thematic similarities between "V" and their "Matrix." Fortunately the production as a whole does not suffer from McTeigue's uninvolved and lazy approach to the material. It's still an enjoyable action film, with an archaic, yet ironically futuristic, swashbuckling slant to it.