Great film - a bit annoying if you're British but not English though!

Rating: 8/10 (13 August 2006)

'V for vendetta' is indeed a very good film. Weaving's voice is enticing and it isn't long before you find yourself associating it unreservedly with the Guy Fawkes mask worn by his character throughout. Portman's acting is excellent, and is supported by her convincing, relatively posh, English accent.
There are obvious references to the current international political scene that neatly bridge the link to Fawkes' gunpowder plot many centuries earlier, explaining why Weaving's character wears this particular mask (though this is done without any reference to the greater religious rather than political motivation of Fawkes' gunpowder plot); but despite this, the film can be enjoyed as is by anyone without a shred of interest in current affairs or who are ignorant of the motivations behind Fawkes gunpowder plot - in short, there's plenty of action to keep anyone interested.
I have one personal gripe with this film in that there are multiple occasions where the terms British and English are used somewhat confusingly. From watching the film, it must be assumed that England has (at some point in the near future) gained political independence from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. An example is the frequent use of the phrase "England prevails" that is broadcast by the 'British Television Network' with images of the United Kingdom parliament in the background. Admittedly the now UK parliament was still the English and Welsh parliament at the time of Guy Fawkes, despite the English and Scottish crowns having already united, but things do change and so should the film industry with them!