V for Vendetta

We went to go see V for Vendetta the other day, and here's the verdict: it's a really good movie. One of the best we've seen this year (ok, we've only seen two so far, but cut us some slack, ok?). It's got an engaging story, interesting characters, and it's well-paced. It's also got two of my favorite things, butt-kicking and explosions.

I read the original DC comic in 1988 (the comic was actually published in the UK in 1984), and to be honest, and I don't remember all the details of the story. However, it seems as if the Wachowski Brothers didn't stray too far from the source material. Alan Moore (the original writer of the story) wanted nothing to do with the movie, but he's got nothing to be ashamed of. V for Vendetta is on my list as one of the greatest comic-book movies ever.

In a nutshell, the story deals with a man looking for retribution against an oppressive and tyrannical British government in the near future. In this day and age, it's kind of ironic to be glorifying terrorists, but the government in the story is so irredeemably evil, it's easy to root for the hero as he blows up historical buildings to make his point.

Also, Natalie Portman gets her head shaved. Thaat's how you commit to a role. I bet Nicole Kidman wouldn't do it.

So in summary: Great movie, big explosions, bald-head Natalie Portman.

To commemorate the excellence of this movie, I'm going to unveil for the first ever time our new rating system, courtesy of our four year old niece: