Thoughtfully provoking......

Rating: 9/10 (1 September 2006)

Unlike the overwhelming majority of contributors to this space, I suffer no delusions as to my abilities as a reviewer. I do, however, feel compelled to comment on a film that, quite frankly, surprised me. While the film's trailers promote it as being from the same folks who brought you "The Matrix", this movie is quite a different animal. Although all three installments of the "Matrix" trilogy were empowered with amazing special effects, the original, at least, remembered to include an interesting and intelligent story-line, which seems to have eluded the ensuing installments. In "V for Vendetta" the special effects have been minimalized, and the story-line enhanced, much to the better in both regards. It's a thought-provoking Orwellian tale of the future, well acted by an inspired cast. If you fancy yourself an intelligent movie-goer, you will have no trouble staying even, if not one step ahead, of the plot. The deft performances and superb staging of the scenes should be enough to carry you through these moments. Enjoy. It's a GOOD movie. Isn't that what cinema fantasy is all about?