Solid movie, unless you have already seen this theme countless times before....

Rating: 3/10 (13 April 2006)

First of all, I would like to say that the movie is solid in the action scenes, dialogue, and superb acting. But the theme is so overplayed it brings the movie down two notches from the 8 I would have given it.
For anyone that actually follows the social and political control that a government can inflict on a people, nothing in this "worst case scenario" movie brings anything new to the table. Aspects of fear and power have been done countless times in other movies. From Nazi war movies to Aeon Flux, the idea of a evil government taking over never seems to get old, at least for the average movie goer. But for anyone that actually follows real world history and politics, this movie has nothing new to bring. Not only are the ideas old, but the writers have a very clear agenda, implying --if not outright claiming-- that the current British and American governments are the spawn of an evil empire, waiting to grow into something horrible that will equal Nazism. Mix that with strong anti-religious statements (some warranted, some just plain false) and you have yourself a "marvelous cutting edge achievement" to the average laymen, but a boring and shallow interpretation of government to anyone that has committed any of their time to following history and governments.
Dare I even speak about how the movie is obviously against the war in Iraq. Despite that fact that V kills countless people, blows up buildings, and fights a battle to try to free thousands of oppressed people, the movie implies that the war in Iraq is wrong because we are killing countless people, blowing up buildings, and fighting a battle trying to free thousands of oppressed people.
The only reason I am talking about the theme so much is that without it, the plot is worthless. The storyline is entertaining at best, but definitely not able to stand up against some of the more creative movies currently out there.
Overall, the acting, action, and scenery are all top notch. The unoriginal ideas, however, bring the movie down to all those that don't receive their education from a Friday night movie.