Movie #57 - V for Vendetta

"Remember, remember the 5th of November, the gun powder treason and plot. I know of no reason why the gun powder treason should ever be forgot."

Another film from the Wachowski brothers, thankfully, this time, they had a template from which to base the majority of the film on - a great comic book adaptation. They didn't screw this one up - unlike their attempts at the sequels to the Matrix.

Once again... Hugo Weaving is the star of the show. Not only was Weaving able to steal the thunder of Keanu Reeves in the Matrix trilogy, Weaving is a main cog in the Lord of the Rings trilogy as well. But here, Weaving achieves a great on-screen presence without ever showing his face - an accomplishment only worthy of James Earl Jones for example.

Weaving depicts V, a violent, dark, and sarcastic freedom fighter in a 1984-esque future in which freedom police and religion rule the city streets and society. In a planned casting, 1984's star, John Hurt, is cast as the villain of V for Vendetta, posing a credible adversary to Weaving's V.

The true bonus of this film though, is up and coming actress Natalie Portman. Not only is she beautiful to watch on-screen, but she ranks up there with some of the best actresses of her age group - let alone for her gender. Currently, I would rank her up there with Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, and Cate Blanchett - not bad company if you ask me.

Portman represents an "everyman" character for this film - which is something that many readers of the V comic books establish for themselves. V represents anarchy against a system of oppression and Portman's character is one that bears personal witness to his glory in defying this system.

Wonderfully shot and creatively adapted to the big screen - I would hope that the Wachowski brothers leave this one alone after the film's conclusion and not decide to grab anymore $ - one can only forget Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions - I know that I am still trying!