Nothing like what you would expect but likable nevertheless!

Rating: 6/10 (16 April 2006)

Lets face it a lone man fighting against a totalitarian society in the future is a most unoriginal concept and I really expected to no originality from the movie the only way i thought the brothers would make this film work would be to cram it with some mind boggling special effects and action ala Matrix.
I went into this movies expecting another action and special effects extravaganza in the lines of the matrix and i must say that the trailers were most misleading in this context and led me to believe that was indeed an action film.
Well this was any thing but an action film.
It has 2 or 3 mediocre action scenes and fans of the brothers and people who like only action movies will be severely disappointed.
To make up for the lack of action the creators have in fact resorted to tactics that are original but are like gimmicks that performers use to enthrall the audience. some of which are
--the hero of the film whose face is never seen throughout the film (Hugo Weaving doing what he does best Dub)is a "V" obsessed, limerick quoting British who is obsessed with historical events.
-- The supporting cast is absolutely brilliant and has some of the best actors from the British film industry all of which have performed brilliantly and easily overshadowed the two main leads. Special mention for Ben miles who i loved in coupling and who held his own here.
---Natalie Portman is a bald actress who is made this way by her not so obvious tormentors.............who does anything but you expect a bald actress in a thriller to do to.
The few special effects in this movie are as expected top class but the background music of this movie is absolutely forgettable.
The movie a couple of great scenes both of which come in the end - we have one in which the detective predicts how the revolution will unfold that demonstrates an acute knowledge of human psyche. - and the other of the actual revolution. If you like such arty cinema you will love this film.
Well the above points make this movie watchable even though this movie is not what you expect. Although i must add i feel this involves some things that are more Art House and quite like gimmicks.
Also this movie loses at least a couple of points for originality.
If you go into this movie with a open mind you will enjoy this film.