Action-packed and provocative political thriller both stimulating and challenging. A must see!

Rating: 9/10 (17 March 2006)

Outstanding cinematics, rich plot that only thickens, direct parallels to the current political and military situation in the US and its protofascist bent conveying subtle implication regarding governmental involvement underlying 9/11. Provocative and clearly the best film release this year. A well-written melodramatic and suspenseful thriller to be seen again with a follow-up DVD purchase to ensure one catches all the allegory, symbolism, contemporary cultural meaning and hidden goodies all of us serious movie-goers enjoy and love. Great how the protagonist's visual identity remained unknown adhering to maximum symbolic effect created by the ever-present mask thus driving the film's idealistic objectives home. V comprehensively reaps the benefits of knowing his predictable enemy well. For those with a knack for serious literature, this one keeps one poised and guessing as it reminds us how one person can still effect true change in a cold, calculating and oppressive world; although that person is cold and calculating in nature as well. Punishing retaliation handled with sophisticated finesse yet telling of the emptiness wrought by the bitter taste of patient revenge. The only weak point is perhaps the seemingly conflicting mixture of comedic understatement with hyperbole that seems to reduce intended impact in some individual scenes, but maybe that's just British dry sense of humor. No real prequel to review before watching but any version of "The Count of Monte Cristo" can be considered appropriate and applicable preparatory material.