Should be required viewing.

Rating: 9/10 (18 March 2006)

This is supposed to take place 20-30 years in the future, but it could easily be two or three. I love the fact that the filmmakers didn't load it down with bogus sci-fi-futureworld nonsense...in fact I wish they hadn't mentioned any years at all, but an event in 2015 is referenced. This is a powerful warning to all about the road we're heading down, and hopefully will become a call to action if things ever get this bad.
From a film-making point of view, I'm sure I could pick a few things apart, and that's the only reason I knocked a star off. But the message is too important to miss over some quibbles. I'm astounded that a first time director pulled something off this good...he's one to watch.
One more thing...I've never read the graphic novel, and would have never heard of it before if it hadn't been mentioned in a Pop Will Eat Itself song. I understand many (including the author) have complained that the film strayed too far from the book. Well, it's quite clear the film has been updated to reflect the current political climate-and therein lies it's power. I doubt I would have been this enthusiastic about a parable about Margret Thatcher. I'm sure there would still be a strong message, but this is very much a film for 2006, not 1986. I can't say whether the spirit of the original is intact, but it doesn't take anything away from the fact that this is an amazing film.
Thank goodness we still have the freedoms to get something this potentially "dangerous" into wide release.