excellent & thought-provoking

Rating: 10/10 (4 April 2006)

An interesting forecast of events which reflect very clearly the dangers of 1939-45 which might have been presaged in 1933 with a little more attention. Makes you wary of the danger of incremental power accretions while providing an entertaining and emotive experience. Natalie Portman was finally given a role in which she could flex some acting muscles after the disasters that were her lines in Star Wars and Hugo Weaving excels at imparting emotion without having to reveal his face - acting with only his voice, he demonstrated a real appreciation of his craft and testified to the potency of words alone. There were certainly some scenes inappropriate for children and yet there were also scenes that need to be seen, images of things that might have happened, could be happening and are likely to happen so long as the public remains acquiescent. Although the movie preys on current fears and worst-case scenarios, it is well to remember that it is a commentary on the potency of fear as a weapon of power, and not confined to the specifics of contemporary environments. The movie made good use of evocative symbolism, music and dialog as well.