Solid, if watered down.

Rating: 8/10 (22 November 2008)

After reading the long, bleak and layered graphic novel, I wasn't sure what I would think of the movie, but it turns out that this isn't that bad at all, being quite enjoyable and kick-ass flick that retains most of the dark and romantic atmosphere of the book. Now, it is quite modernized and Hollywood-ized, so don't expect exactly the same level of sophistication - it does take a few scenes to get used to seeing V, as he does naturally come off as silly on the big screen as compared to his pen-and-inked literary counterpart, but overall it isn't badly done at all. Hugo Weaving does quite an admirable job, too, pulling off the mood of the character perfectly.
I think what I like about this movie is that it manages to not completely suck despite simplifying the original story for theater audiences and adding a gamut of Hollywood action scenes. I mean, everything we loved from the comic is still here. All of the powerful scenes are still at least 95% intact, and while I'm sure it could have been done better, V For Vendetta is a satisfying and thoroughly invigorating film that will not disappoint anyone looking for a quality book-to-movie transition. It's got good acting, some stunning visual hooks and a plot that you will dig right from the start as "the voice of Fate" comments on the state of a war torn world. Go get this one if you haven't seen it already.