Outstanding! One of the best of 2006. Appropriate for the climate of today!

Rating: 9/10 (22 March 2007)

This film is heroic, anarchic, and a very serious warning of what can happen when a government begins to lie to its people, trample on their basic rights in the name of security, and the leadership simply refuses to acknowledge the will of the electorate, even to rigging elections and covering up illegal activities by their own agents. Of course this sort of thing could never happen in the United States. A brilliant cast, led by Hugo Weaving in possibly his finest role, with an electrifying performance by Natalie Portman. Also quite excellent were John Hurt, Stephen Rea, Tim Piggott Smith, Stephen Fry and John Standing. Besides the excellent action of the film was the inventive use of the English Language and the symphony of poetic expression which brought so much to the film. I had not read the graphic novel, and I am glad because it allowed me to see the film without preconceptions. I was also happy to see scenes from the "Count of Monte Cristo" from the 1930s which happens to be one of my favorite all time films. It is interesting to note that the colors of the Government party (red and black) were the very same colors that V adapted to his use as well. This is another must see movie.