Remember Remember the 5th of November

Rating: 8/10 (28 March 2006)

A hero sporting a mask eerily reminiscent of the king from the Burger King commercials (actually a Guy Fawkes mask here) who quotes Shakespeare. Natalie Portman with a shaved head. Hilarious allusions to Fox News and the Bushes. A comic book (pardon me, graphic novel) adaptation with an actual idea in mind and a strong political statement. What's not to like? "V for Vendetta" is a better than average genre flick that is as enjoyable for its silliness (when we first meet "V" he is a bit too loquacious and seems to exist only to ramble off tongue twisters) as it is for its high-mindedness. The political message may not be so bold or new (totalitarianism is bad, and we the people should rally against it through IDEAS) but it's timely and well played here.
Natalie Portman does a decent British accent in what is basically a natural progression of her breakthrough role in "The Professional" where she once again "falls" for a vigilante with a heart of gold in the name of vengeance. Roles in forgettable quirky comedy/dramas and her interesting turn in "Closer" aside, this is really her first chance to act since she was a child, and it's a joy to watch her here. It really is amazing how wasted and ill-used she was in the recent "Star Wars" prequels. This is the perfect type of role for her and she carries the film through its sillier parts to make it the stuff of high drama.
"V" doesn't have the visual chutzpah of "Sin City" or the AHA! factor of the original "Martix" or the deep psychological complexity of "Batman Begins," but it's full of great acting, big ideas, and a dense and satisfying plot played out to a proper conclusion. Brush aside some of the British stereotypes (everyone says "bollucks" and the people are bit too pleased by a Jack Benny style comedy sequence meant to poke fun at their Chancellor and his war on terror), some clunky pacing in the beginning, and a missed golden opportunity for a release date (remember the 5th of November? unfortunately the studio didn't) and let yourself be entertained. Sure to have a cult following, "V for Vendetta" is fun way to spend a few hours and just might leave you with something to think about afterward.