Um.... sorry, but... no

Rating: 7/10 (2 April 2006)

I guess I felt compelled to chime in here because so many people (here) seem to think this is a great film, to the extent that they've even elevated into the top #250. I liked the film and could see how audiences might be inspired by the imagery (a man standing up for justice in a dystopian society) and stirring dialogue, but this is no "1984" or, IMO the more brilliant "Brazil". I felt that I must at least record my 2 cents here as a lone voice of dissent in the wilderness.
It starts out very promising, I thought. I found the character of V interesting and charming, and the initial premise captivating (if not original). I was even willing to forgive a certain number of logical and/or technical lapses that inconveniently shattered my suspension of disbelief. But in the second half of the film, we are asked to accept so many strange, unrealistic reactions, logical flaws, and physical stretches that I was truly disappointed. It became a total fantasy to me by the end, and I no longer much cared what happened to these characters.
(spoilers beyond this point) Sure I'll go along with some of the minor suspensions, like security in a totalitarian state is so easily bypassed around government ministers and buildings, that V with his mask on has great, non-fogging visibility in combat somehow, or that he is that deadly with knives only.
But some of the larger suspensions that we are asked to accept: -I guess the big one is the Evey torture sequence, which was effective in conveying terror and humiliation. The inspiration of that beautiful letter was moving. But then, to find out it was all staged by V as a way to teach a lesson/to indoctrinate was... flabbergasting! Stockholm Syndrome aside, I don't think my reaction would be to sympathize with my torturer, when there were at least alternative methods that could have been tried (like simply asking for example).
-After demonstrating to us how brutal and all controlling the government is, are we to believe that Evey's comedy talk show friend had no inkling that staging and broadcasting a show that so sharply parodies and mocks the government would have no real serious repercussions? A person with a house full of contraband at the very least drawing government attention to himself like that is illogical. And even if it was some suicidal final gesture, at least have the courtesy to warn your fugitive houseguest that stormtroopers might be bursting through the door at any moment! -Body armour and combat prowess aside, I could not after a while accept his continued "bullet proofness" and/or great luck in avoiding bullets, and then his fantastic mobility in his body armor.
-Let's not forget, after the totalitarian government is warned (a year in advance) of a specific target building, and all other security measures are taken to protect this target, that they would somehow overlook a railway tunnel that goes underneath the building! or if they did not forget it, then, somehow they missed the big railway car packed with explosives and fertilizer.
phew! I feel better now. It's not a bad film, but I don't see it as a great film. Thank goodness there is no thought police that prevents me from saying this. I just wish that they had.... Oops! there's a knock at my door. I better go ch-- Aaarrrrrghh!!!