Imperfect Masterpiece

Rating: Null/10 (29 March 2006)

This is not a typical comic book to big screen adaptation movie, though I realize that I wrote something similar for "Batman Begins". The fact is that the action in this movie takes a back seat to the political message, which is blunt and to-the-point. Most of the stunts, effects are instruments of this message, and thankfully the budget was not spent there. It is conceivable that fans of current right-wing governments may totally disagree with the value of this message. Regardless, they will no doubt acknowledge that McTeigue has crossed the line and stepped where no man has gone before (not Uranus), at least this side of 9/11. He and his team must be commended for this courageous stand.
The acting in this movie is totally unbalanced, facing Hugo Weaving's now-legendary heart-wrenching tirades and one-liners, is Nathalie Portman, who seems to be in a hurry to cash her paycheck. Watching her on-screen, one cannot help but wonder if she did not feel that considering she was sacrificing her hair for the movie, she should not be asked for much more. I was disappointed because I really like her "attributes", prior work and genuine personality when interviewed. Having said that, the good news is that the movie was well-crafted around this disastrous Paula Abdul-style performance to minimize negative effect on the movie. Hey, Star Wars still became Star Wars, despite Mark Hamill, right? so who knows.
This movie is in addition beautiful in terms of cinematography, and one will definitely miss a lot by watching it on a TV screen. Watch it at the theaters, then buy the DVD, to drown the inevitable sorrows resulting from George W.'s next two years in office.
Natalie Portman (Evey) - 3/10 - Terrible. Though less terrible in the part of the movie where she is bald.
Hugo Weaving (V/William Rookwood) - 9/10 - Only downer is not being able to watch his clenching teeth as he delivers his Shakespeare.
James McTeigue - 9/10 - Impressively manages to deliver a great movie, despite being handicapped with an absent lead actress.