V For Vendetta Prevails

Rating: 8/10 (1 August 2006)

"V for Vendetta" follows the adventure of the orphaned Evey Hammond as she becomes involved with a mysterious Guy Fawkes-like freedom fighter known only as "V". The film is an exciting and worthy adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name.
The film lacks the more complex and character-driven plot of the graphic novels, instead concentrating more on the collective fortunes of a nightmarish future totalitarian England. As a result it has less to say about the politics of fascism and anarchy but moves along at a faster and more engaging pace.
The efforts to update the story from the 1980s to the 21st century are imaginative and for the most part work well whilst remaining largely true to the ideas underpinning the original. The relevance of much of the back story makes the film more daring and topical than its genre counterparts.
Most importantly, Hugo Weaving captures the essence of "V", the central protagonist, perfectly. Natalie Portman is less convincing as the naive Evey but is by no means bad.
Despite the efforts of the talented and largely British additional cast, the American writing and direction means the picture doesn't really 'feel' like England. As a result, much of the impact of an alternate reality is lost, making the film more of an out-and-out fantasy.
The film's ending is conclusive enough to leave one with the feeling of having experienced a complete package. In addition, the finale is sufficiently spectacular and rewarding to make the whole exercise a worthwhile one.