"V" for Vendetta (2005)

Oh, Wachowski, Wachowski.....you guys are up to it again, huh? You may remember the Wachowski brothers from a little movie called The Matrix and its sequels. Never heard of it? Yeah, I had to go look it up myself. Apparently it did well, though.

In all seriousness, the brothers have outdone themselves this time. All controversy aside about their writing credibility, their movies tend to be fantastic. (they settled out of court, all but an admission of guilt, for having stolen the stories from some woman. You can read more about that here. Be your own judge.)

I will say, there's some corniness in most of their movies, a great deal of it in the later Matrix movies, but the STORIES are always groundbreaking and revolutionary for their time.

Now, about this V for Vendetta flick. The synopsis from imdb.com reads, "A shadowy freedom fighter known only as "V" uses terrorist tactics to fight against his totalitarian society. Upon rescuing a girl from the secret police, he also finds his best chance at having an ally." I think that pretty much sums it up.

I think it's high time we saw some revolutionary films, some more films like Fight Club that are written to call people to arms, to get them off their butts and feeling less afraid of the world around us, and this movie does just that. Not just the politically motivating, fight for a cause kind of movies, I'm sick of those...but the broader, "aren't you all sick of life the way it is" movies. It is a very empowering movie, but does so through Evey's (Natalie Portman) personal journey instead of coming across as too preachy.

The pace of the movie is QUITE dragging. Some of the issues you're waiting to have resolved stay on the cusp of resolution for so long that you feel like the movie just won't end. Some of the others are resolved so early that you feel like the movie should be over, but it's not. Aside from this pacing issue, all of the drama and plot points are unconventionally strewn about the story in a POSITIVE way. Just don't be in a hurry to get out of your seat, even though the movie is a standard two hours.

Also, there is some typical Wachowski cheese. Gratuitous bloody slow-mo shots, supernatural feats without solid explanations, and a few unresolved story elements.

Why, with all of these problems, is this still a good movie? Because of Evey's story. Natalie Portman's best role ever, by far, knocks this movie out of the park. Her story, her path alongside "V" is the same road everyone takes toward becoming the master of his or her own destiny. I think Tyler Durden in Fight Club said it best - "It's only after you've lost everything that you're free to do anything."

If you have a chance, and some patience, check this movie out. If you're looking for an action movie, leave it be. If you like 1984 (the novel), the Matrix, or Fight Club, this is one you will also find fits (cheesily, I admit) in that category.