Simply Brilliant

Rating: 9/10 (15 March 2009)

First up, an acknowledgment. I've never read the graphic novel. So my review is entirely based on the movie. Short version, 10/10, and simply brilliant.
For a starters, this movie --is not kid friendly--. This is a story for the adults, and it is well worth it. I've taken my nephew to see Ironman, The Incredible Hulk etc, this is not a movie in the same league, not even really in the same genre.
To describe the movie's plot, I feel, is to subtract from the whole. There are many things going on at once, and when talking to a friend I described it as "Pulp Fiction" in a comic book universe. On reflection, this really seems to me an accurate description. Whilst there are some 'comic book' moments of action and fighting etc, this movie is all about the story. There are a handful of stories going on at the same time and, honestly, each and every one was great.
Do not be fooled by the 'comic book' nature of the movie. The story line is one of the greatest I have seen in a while, where, at the end of the movie, I left wondering which 'side' I would choose. There is virtually no 'good guys and bad guys' situation, each character is a 3 dimensional person with flaws, good points, and bad.
Will be seeing again two or three times. Simply brilliant.