V For Vendetta (2005)

Vicariously, voracious videodevourers vouchsafe verily vexed that this one is bloody great.

So do I, but I'm not going to keep on alliterating with 'v'.

Comic book adaptations have garnered quite a reputation over the past few years. Many were dismissed (not always because they were not up to snuff), but this one manages to overcome that all in a brilliant depiction of the novel, that remains as relevant today as it was when first released.

The comic, not the film. Well, okay, also the film. But let's not digress too much, shall we?

In an alternate future, Britain is a fascist state. But suddenly there's the lone V, whose goal is to awaken the sleeping populace once more against the oppression of the government. He befriends Evey, and then a lot of stuff happens.

Yes, that description is a lot shorter than I usually do. Want to know why? Because I don't want to spoil the story. Nothing, nada, zilch, zip. This is one you have to see or read, and I flatly refuse to not let you discover the story of this one yourself.

However, I can divulge that many of the themes present here are creepily close to the mark of the current state of affairs in many countries, not necessarily those countries that often pop up in the news whenever it concerns totalitarian regimes. Heck, a lot of this stuff happens in supposedly 'free' countries as well, and that is scary. But it's like V states somewhere: it is the politicians that should fear the populace, not the other way round. V's story arc is essentially one of redemption and vengeance, but the former is much more important.

 Massive props to Hugo Weaving as V. The entire film he is behind that Guy Fawkes' mask and yet he still manages to emote very clearly. That is bloody impressive, to say the least. Also, any film with the wonderful Stephen Fry in it, gets a thumbs up from me. I can only wonder if his monologue at a certain point is so touching because he is speaking from the heart. Either that, or the man really doesn't get enough credit for his acting skills.

Natalie Portman is Evey and our segue into V's world and I like the fact that she is in fact, nothing special. Just your average Jane who gets stumped by events unfolding, but who eventually grows and becomes a totally different person. I'm not really sure if I'm that much of a fan of her British accent (which feels a bit forced), but that is a slight case of nitpicking.

Hell, go and see this one. It is poignant, dark yet uplifting and has more than one message to give.

And Hugo Weaving is always a win.