Stuff.co.nz
29 August 2006
By CAMERON McMILLAN

Movie: ****
Extras: *

Comic book movies have become a stable diet in Hollywood with big names like Superman, Batman and Spider-Man being rebirthed in recent years. But like last year's stand out Sin City, V For Vendetta proves the smaller comic heros can also shine on the big screen.

Masked man V is not your usual comic hero. He does have a mask and a cape but unlike Batman or Superman who attempt to solve crime, V creates it.

Set in the not-so-distant future, V (Hugo Weaving) uses his swords and knives to create terror in an English totalitarian society which is run by an extreme fascist party.

Fuelled by the memories of Guy Fawkes, V warns the public that in exactly one year he'll blow up parliament. Over that time he takes Evey (Natalie Portman) under his wing and support for the plan grows.

As police inspector Finch (Stephen Rea) and Chancellor Sutler (John Hurt) try and track V down before he ignites a revolution, the motives and the history behind the mysterious V are revealed.

Both Weaving and Portman pull out great performances and the Wachowski brothers, as producers, prove they have moved on from the Matrix trilogy. Portman fans be warned: The Star Wars actress spends half the film with a number-one haircut.

Extras: This edition only has a making-of feature which lasts a measly 11 minutes, but there is a two-disc special edition available on Amazon.com

V For Vendetta is rated R13. Out now through Warner Bros. Entertainment.