Amazing, relevant film...

Rating: 9/10 (15 April 2006)

I saw V for Vendetta under the advice of a friend. I don't watch television - ever - and the only two downfalls to that are that I miss South Park and I miss movie trailers. The movie catches you straight from the get-go. The plot is complex enough to make you think about things and to allow for plot twists, but it never gets convoluted. In all, you end up understanding the state of the nation, why V is angry, and then you get to see him enact his vengeance. It's straightforward, exciting, and thought-provoking.
I couldn't help but watch the movie and ponder the social and political messages presented by it. That's one of the reasons you'll be watching this movie several times over - the way this movie seems completely relevant. Another reason you'll keep coming back for more is the witty, intelligent dialogue. The action scenes are freaking cool, too. There's a scene near the end - I won't spoil the movie - where V takes out several armed men using knives and fists that will make you whimper, then scream to the projectionist to start the reel over so you can watch it again.
The only thing I didn't feel was completely adequate here was the cinematography. It really was good most of the time, but there were several shots that should have lasted a little longer or could have focused on better things. There seemed to be an awful lot of character reaction shots, and the shots that make you say, "Cool!" didn't last long enough.
The negative is easily overlooked in this action movie that is more than an action movie. It's not a flick - it's a film.