Daring, debatable and delightful

Rating: 10/10 (5 December 2006)

I missed this one in den cinema and saw it on DVD. How could I ever miss that??? It's brilliant! It's intelligent, moving, beautifully shot, there's superb acting and a story that really makes you think.
I've always been a sucker of these dark future dramas, stuff like Blade Runner, 1984, Brazil etc. Vendetta blends in perfectly. The design reminds me of Fritz Lang, all the black and white and red. It's very stylish, and as it's Wachowsky Brothers, it's sometimes a bit Matrix. But well, I liked Matrix (part one, that is). Dark sci-fi, as I said.
What struck me most was the acting. I didn't know Natalie Portman was this good. At first, she is nothing but fear, all you want to do is protect her. Then, as things change (no spoilers here), she turns into a complete different person. Remarkable. Even more remarkable is the performance of Hugo Weaving as "V". He wears a mask all the time, he's only muffled voice and body talk - and what a character he creates! Some of the finest British actors around add to the high quality.
There are some quite obvious parallels between the world of "V" and the political situation of our time. I feel that "V for Vendetta" is asking some very interesting questions about things like terror, oppression and media influence. But don't expect easy solutions, there just aren't any. Still it makes you think, and that's one of the best things that can be said about a movie.
After the really bad (though ambitious) Matrix sequels, "V for Vendetta" brings the Wachowskys back.