Superb movie of the graphic novel.

Rating: Null/10 (15 September 2006)

It is the somewhat near future, the USA has virtually destroyed itself in civil wars, and England has come to be ruled by a political machine that is closer to being a dictatorship. But there is one man who has survived some of the past atrocities and is determined to set things right again, his own way. He simply goes by 'V' and his is a grand Vendetta. Whether a viewer likes this movie depends on what they are looking for. My wife didn't care that much for it, but I really enjoyed it. It isn't as stylized as, for example, 'Sin City', but to me has more of a 'Batman' feel to it. You know that what you are seeing is not to be taken literally, and much of it is social commentary on the dangers of government taking over the 'freedoms' of the citizens.
Natalie Portman is into her mid 20s now and a serious young actress. This is a good role for her, as Evey Hammond whose mother and father both fell victim to the government. She meets 'V' (Hugo Weaving, Neo's nemesis in the Matrix) near the beginning of the movie, on November 5th, as they listen to a concert of sorts, while they view the Old Bailey being blown up, all orchestrated by 'V'. The movie ends one year later, on November 5th. I like the mask that 'V' wears, reminiscent of Jack Nicholson's 'Joker' face, but this mask never comes off, and appears to be bullet proof.
The cast contains a whole host of fine British actors, including Stephen Rea as Inspector Eric Finch, Stephen Fry as Gordon Deitrich, John Hurt as the evil Chancellor Adam Sutler, and Sinéad Cusack as Delia Surridge. The movie contains much violence, much bloodshed, and has some very dark themes. But it is worth a viewing.
SPOILERS FOLLOW. As 'V' systematically tracks down and destroys each of the enemies whom he had targeted, and police are looking for Evey, the two of them become companions of sorts. While Evey doesn't approve of all the killing, she begins to sympathize with his cause, and in fact falls in love with him. His final act was to be sending a train loaded with explosives into the Parliament building on November 5th. But as he is dying after the final fight, he walks away and gives Evey the option to pull the lever and start the train. It is, after all, her future world, not his. She does, and the movie ends with a spectacular display. NB - 'V' got his strength and other powers after surviving government virus testing and also a fire, the mask and gloves were partly to cover his disfigurement.