most overrated movie I have seen

Rating: 4/10 (20 January 2007)

I didn't have the highest expectations for this movie, but I am surprised that it's worse than I would have imagined. It seems this movie can't decide whether it wants to have a message or just a mockery of that same message. I'm not familiar with the graphic novel this is based on, which means I can't tell if it's originally serious or humorous in tone. The movie, however, is neither serious nor funny, while trying to be both. Take the protagonist and the cop...the jokes don't work and often aren't appropriate. There is no acting for V to speak of, since he is more or less only voiced and the cop (Stephen Rea) is awfully wooden which makes about 90% of the - minimalistic - dialog pain to sit through. Many other characters are overdrawn in comparison - OK, it's based on a comic, but anyway - which doesn't work (for me).
The message comes across as pretentious, because the real issues are once again comically overdrawn - which is OK, since it's a graphic novel adaptation - but then again, there is completely serious stuff and both in one movie seems like trying to please everyone. There's a lot of dragging which probably only bothers you if you are not in love with this story...which I wasn't, needless to say.
Not to mention there are some plot holes and things that just don't make any sense, not even in a fictional world. One bigger fighting scene is - with good reason, of course - a Matrix homage, but a poor one. This did nothing for me, at all.
I'd have to say the movie is average, possibly falling below average if keeping in mind that I personally was tempted to turn it off more than once. Certainly not worth any awards in my book. I'm all for films that provoke thought. I don't need flashy action sequences in a comic adaptation. However, if everything fails to come together in a tight package, I'd rather go with brainless fighting and gore. This movie might have been quite entertaining with more action. The way it stands this is one of the biggest bores I had (while not honestly "bad"). All the more reason to waste another 15 minutes to write this review...yeah, what can I say. It needs to be said. 5/10
Explanation to some of the criticism:
***SPOILERS***
I can't think of a single joke that worked...starting with the awful V alliteration entrance of V...I guess that is a fan favorite and taken straight from the graphic novel. It felt out of place, he never did it again, which makes me all the more certain it was an egg for fans. All the remarks of the cop character fell flat. He was just plain boring.
The sample of the movie's present day population probably were supposed to serve the message, but it was one of the most pointless things in my opinion. The little girl was shot, then she was shown among the crowd in the end. Was it just a story that never happened? Or is the girl dead but still one of "us"? I bet they would like us to discuss this, but what of it...I doubt it's worth the time spent.
The twist makes no sense...who were the people that entered Evey's cell? Puppets? Whatever. One of the worst twists I've ever seen.
What about the allusions that Gordon is V? Pointless. It's stuff like that which makes a movie "pretentious" in my book. Prime example.
Finally, the last and longest fighting sequence...Wachowski brothers spoofing themselves (or the director trying to be clever?). Haha, funny. No. This is supposed to be a little serious, right? But it kills a potentially good conclusion with the - extremely tired by now - isn't-this-a-cool-effect fighting scene, with not even that hot choreography, above that. Everything that follows, I don't know, my brain already turned off.