Everything "The Matrix" never was.

Rating: 9/10 (23 March 2006)

Alan Moore, Britain's amazing comic book maestro is the heart and soul behind the comic "V for Vendetta" and although he doesn't want anything to do with this film it is, in fact, a well done intelligent adaptation of Moore's politically charged masterpiece.
The Wachowski Brothers (The Matrix Trilogy, Bound) adapted the screenplay from Moore's work with care and respect. The central character is a hard working young woman in Great Britian in the near future, portrayed by Natalie Portman who, as she says, "is scared all the time". The reason why is because Britian is now a totalitarian regime run by a larger than life dictator High Chancellor Adam Sutler who doesn't talk to his citizens but instead yells at them with a fury of hellfire and brimstone that scares all into submission. He jumped into power after disease spread throughout Britian and the United States of America is now a third world country. In this world they live in, many things are banned including music, classic films and even butter.
Although the citizens just sit in front of their TV's and take everything in without question there is someone who will stand up against the rising of the tide. A man only known as V. A man whose face is covered with a Guy Fawlkes mask, who is dressed from head to toe in black, and a long black wig that falls to the side accentuating the ivory mask he wears. Huge Weaving of "The Matrix" trilogy and "The Lord of the Rings" saga portrays V with a fire and tenacity that is needed for such an eccentric character. Fawlkes, was a political martyr who was murdered 400 years earlier because he planned on blowing up Parliament. That now becomes V's newly adopted mission. Evey, his newly adopted sidekick. A beautiful young woman whom can help topple a government if only she can find the strength inside herself to do so.
The film is beautifully crafted by first time director James McTeigue, who previously worked as assistant director on "The Matrix" trilogy and "Attack of the Clones", the Star Wars travesty. Here McTeigue paints glorious portrait of a dark and dank London, where being afraid is as common as the curfew. The cinematography is captivating, the action is relentlessly paced, and overall, the film works, not only on its' own, but as a successful adaptation.
All in all, an entertaining and politically fueled action feast.
***Please note that I didn't make comparisons with this film to the modern day world and what is happening with Iraq. The film is based on a comic written during the 80's. Long before the current events that envelop us in today's world.