Good movie, poor adaption.

Rating: 5/10 (22 October 2007)

This movie was difficult to watch the second time. I had read the book and loved it. I envisioned what a movie would be like, with a few tiny liberties. I saw this movie shortly after it was released and tried to hold my criticism from my friends when we walked out. They were blown away and wondering how I didn't feel the same. There are often times when a motion picture adaption of a novel, comic book, or even true events can only be responded with a shrug or slight nod. The comic book series was written as one complete story back in the early eighties by Alan Moore and was a staple in DC Comics' history.
When the movie was being released, I wasn't sure if I wanted to see it because of the liberties I was sure they had taken. But, the trailers and reviews had me wanting to see it. My friends, who had never read the book, were excited while I was a little apprehensive. I knew the story could translate into a good movie if done right but didn't want to ruin the vision that the book had given. I decided to partake in some recreational prescriptions before I entered the theater to become a little limber in the viewing.
I'll start with the negative.
I was upset with one of Finch's scenes that totally erases how he found out what happened at the concentration camp. In the book, it is a very serious and emotional part of his role in the story bringing him closer to understanding V. I was fine with the liberties that were taken of the time and place of the events, as the movie was made several years after the story takes place and they obviously wanted it to be modern day. I do like Natalie Portman as an actress but felt they should have just found a good English actress instead of tacking on big names for a title not many people knew about. Being very fond of the book, I have to say that this is a very rushed and weak adaption of Alan Moore's epic story. I appreciated the Wachowski brothers for The Matrix, the sequels left me with blue balls, and I was just about to credit them for having good taste in comics before they made this but have to despise them for cashing in on one of my favorite books
Although, if you've never read the book, you might love this movie. I found myself wishing I had never read the book because as a movie, it is well made, entertaining and thought-provoking.
Hang in there, Alan.