A for Amazing, B for Brilliant, C for Cerebral, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera

Rating: 10/10 (1 March 2012)

V (Hugo Weaving) lives in a dystopian British society of the near future. Terribly disfigured, he wears a Guy Fawkes mask at all times. Wronged long ago by a government agency, he is plotting his revenge. Evidentally, the United States is in chaos, having been a victim of nuclear warfare and plague. Some devious leaders of Britain vowed not to let that happen there. So, through deception and fear, a small party grabbed power. The Big Commissioner, Alan (John Hurt) rules with an iron fist and an iron heart. The curfew is early each evening, the telly has him giving speech after speech and he has a secret police called The Fingermen to enforce his rules. The chief of police, Creedy (Tim Pigott-Smith) is just as evil. Also working for the government is Finch (Stephen Rea) who works in investigation. One night, Evey (Natalie Portman), a television news production underling, is supposed to pay an after-dark visit to one of the top telly brass. But, The Fingermen capture her and attempt a rape. V comes to her rescue, knocking off the bad guys with incredible weapon skills and martial arts. Very grateful, Evey agrees to go hear some music with V. BUT, what she thinks is a concert turns about to be a rooftop view to a demolition, set to the 1812 overture. After a major London building is destroyed, V comes on the telly to urge his fellow citizens to join him, one year from now, on Guy Fawkes Day to bring down the oppressive regime. Whew! At once, all of the leaders are out to capture him and thwart his plots. But, from an underground abode, he starts knocking off some of the rulers. Evey, fearful at first, comes to admire him greatly. But, since he is just one man, can he free the country from its totalitarian state? Its so unlikely yet V keeps winning. However, soon Evey is captured and undergoes torture to induce her to reveal V's residence. Will she break? Will V's brave efforts be for naught? How can I describe such a sensational movie as this? Yes, its quite violent in parts and owes a debt of gratitude to Orwell's 1984, The Count of Monte Cristo and other sources. Once a graphic novel, it also grapples with huge moral issues, such as to overthrow a corrupt nation, does the fighter become corrupt as well? Portman, complete with a British accent, is beautiful and touching while Weaving, with only a voice, does an incredible job as the title character. Hurt, too, is amazing, while Rea, Pigott-Smith, and all, all of the other cast members are admirable indeed. Then, too, the look of the film is breathtaking while the script and direction are brilliant to the end. In short, D for Don't MISS it, run now, buy it for your collection and put it on the shelf reserved for truly great movies.