Visionary presentation of a disturbingly dark comic series

Rating: 10/10 (26 November 2009)

Let me begin with this, "I own this DVD, watched is over 500 times and will do that again n again".
I've read the comic series and frankly speaking, while making a movie adaptation of something so sinisterous and gut wrenching tale of revenge and hope for change, one has to take an approach of moderation. So when I read the comments of movie being crap, I wish people would understand that movies like this one are made on a budget which needs to be recovered plus a profit. So if one is able to preserve the soul of original source, the job is a job well done.
I adore Hugo Weaving, right from the Matrix Trilogy. But how could I have expected him to showcase his emotions like anger and regret behind a mask. Ah but the voice, I could see right through that Fawkesian mask, every word, every sigh, every cry, I could identify with the character. By moderating the tactics from the comic books, V was made more human, prompting a hope that someone someday is capable of making a change. The enigmatic portray of his psyche did not call for his amazing fighting skills, but as he'd say, words will always retain their power. I remember the scene when the true nature of Evey's ordeal is revealed to her thereby releasing her anger, V's explosive reaction, if I may call it and then subsiding, soothing embrace, again through his words kept me thinking all night after I first watched it. I couldn't ask for more from Mr. Weaving.
I never really noticed the petite girl in a few movies I saw that of Natalie Portman, but I can sincerely insist that after Léon, this is her best work so far. Her transformation from a scared commoner to a person who realises self dignity and more importantly, finds that she's willing to take responsibility is amazing. I could see her doubt regarding V's plan while having her breakfast in her eyes, yet, I couldn't identify if they belonged to the same person when I saw her in that prison cell or when she bids farewell to V. The beauty of a torn spirit so mercifully woven together by a harsh methodology brings to my attention that sometimes we have to give into pain and suffering, to understand what we value the most. There are no happy endings, but I wished, just for once, that they had one.
As for other characters, I guess Stephen Rea did complete justice with what could have been expected while Tim Pigott-Smith enticed us with his disgusting portrayal of a selfish official and plotter.
A genuine masterpiece ....