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The filmmakers also pull some strong performances from the leads. Portman shows impressive emotional range as always, fully committing herself to a role so clearly outlined in the source material—including the much-publicized onscreen head shaving. Weaving also pulls off a difficult part, forced to act behind a mask for most of the film, yet infusing the part with plenty of charisma through gestures and his melodious voice. And it's great to see Rea back in action, perfectly playing the skeptical, world-weary cop with sad eyes and patient demeanor.

Hugo Weaving as V, the man in the mask

What's most striking about V for Vendetta is how it favors thought-provoking dialogue and ideas over non-stop, sloppy action. For sure, there are some cool sequences, particularly a bloody slow-motion fight between V and a dozen soldiers that recalls the famed lobby scene from The Matrix. But like that film, this movie relies on a lot of explanation and pontification, primarily focused on the mystery of V's past and the nature of true freedom against the backdrop of political repression. Some sequences of dialogue resemble King Arthur's discussion of politics with Dennis in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (i.e., long, dry, and tiresome), but there are also flashes of wit and brilliance. This is a comic book film that is refreshingly intelligent, relying on poetry and literary dialogue for thrills as much villain-busting action.

Sadly, the movie also comes off as misguided. What are we to take from this story? Social injustice and denial of human rights are indeed wrong, but do the creators honestly believe that conservatism is the start of a short path to fascism? Are we really one step away from sending minorities and homosexuals off to death camps? Do they really believe democratic governments would covertly inflict a plague upon schoolchildren to incite fear and provide cause for militia rule? Apparently so, as the Wachowskis have added small references to wire-tapping, avian flu, "rendition," homeland security, and Abu Ghraib-styled black hoods to loosely connect the story to current events.

Especially frustrating are the numerous cheap shots at Christianity, clearly seen as part of the oppressive force. The motto of Sutler's government is, "Strength through unity, unity through faith," its symbol a modified crucifix. Sutler himself is described a man with deep religious convictions who rose to power with the iron fist of fear. At the film's start is a completely unsympathetic, rabid television pundit that's part Bill O'Reilly, part Pat Robertson, viscously blaming society's problems on godlessness and lack of religion. Oh, and then there's the timeworn cliché of the high-ranking official who also happens to be a pedophile priest who likes to play "confession" with little girls.

V kicks some Brit bum, but this isn't primarily an action film

We might all feel differently if Nazis really did have a stranglehold on our society, but is violent anarchy really the answer—correcting one extreme with another? V for Vendetta seems to be equating "terrorist" with "revolutionary," and despite some small attempts in the script intended to show V as morally ambiguous, the reality is that he's still depicted as the charming and sympathetic hero whose courageous actions we are to embrace at the film's end. It's surprising in this post-9/11 that the film actually tries to win over the audience by standing up for Muslim terrorists, defending the Koran, and instilling the belief that the destruction of an important building can serve as the catalyst for change.

It's unfortunate, because the film has much to admire and enjoy, but what could have been a meaningful parable about individual freedoms comes off as heavy-handed politicizing that doesn't quite add up. Though the film will earn its fans, many will go in expecting to be entertained by action, only to leave feeling vilified by thin propaganda. V for Vendetta may not exactly deliver what it advertises, but it does stay true to its title.

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