After seeing how critically acclaimed and highly rated this movie is, it's fair to say that I went into it with high expectations. Unfortunately, those expectations weren't met.
Objectively, I can see why so many love this movie. It's compelling, has a great cast (Natalie Portman stole the show), some cool cinematography, good soundtrack and is overall an interesting concept. The dystopian setting is haunting and feels relevant today, even more so in some ways. And here ends the good things I have to say about this movie.
On a personal level, it didn't come together for me. The story is unnecessarily long-winded and meandering with lots of details that turn out not to be that relevant to the overall plot of the story. There's also a lot of detail needed with the world building that just isn't there. The dystopian world and its history are quite complex and whilst there's the occasional tidbits and explanations, it feels like there's a lot of gaping holes in the world building (which no doubt could be filled in by the comics but that shouldn't be a requirement for watching the movie).
Most of the characters are annoying and unlikeable (although this is intended, so can't really criticise that). But even the anti-hero V, although intriguing, is very one-dimensional. I didn't connect to him or his ploy and feel that too much about his character remained a mystery. Evey's character is the only character I enjoyed. She's vulnerable and sympathetic and Portman gives a brilliant performance.
One of my biggest gripes of the movie overall is dialogue. It drove me crazy. It's verbose and hyperbolic ALL THE TIME. None of the characters speak like a regular person and the interactions between the characters feel contrived as a result.
But the cherry on top that killed any potential for me to like this movie is the romance between the two main characters. Why was the decision made to make V and Evey's relationship a romance? Why?! Their relationship is like a father/daughter or mentor/mentee type relationship. There is zero romantic or sexual chemistry or tension between them until it suddenly erupts the last quarter of the movie. It's cheap, forced and uncomfortable, particularly in the context of what V does to Evey (imprisons and tortures her for months all in a bid to "make her fearless"). It adds nothing to the overall story and steals focus from what the movie is actually about.
Overall, I see why people like this movie and it does have a lot of good components, but it's not everything it's cracked up to be. Anybody that dares to criticise it gets downvoted but I wanted to it's provide a balanced perspective for people seeking one, because this is very far from being a 9 or 10 star movie despite what other reviews here would have people believe.
Objectively, I can see why so many love this movie. It's compelling, has a great cast (Natalie Portman stole the show), some cool cinematography, good soundtrack and is overall an interesting concept. The dystopian setting is haunting and feels relevant today, even more so in some ways. And here ends the good things I have to say about this movie.
On a personal level, it didn't come together for me. The story is unnecessarily long-winded and meandering with lots of details that turn out not to be that relevant to the overall plot of the story. There's also a lot of detail needed with the world building that just isn't there. The dystopian world and its history are quite complex and whilst there's the occasional tidbits and explanations, it feels like there's a lot of gaping holes in the world building (which no doubt could be filled in by the comics but that shouldn't be a requirement for watching the movie).
Most of the characters are annoying and unlikeable (although this is intended, so can't really criticise that). But even the anti-hero V, although intriguing, is very one-dimensional. I didn't connect to him or his ploy and feel that too much about his character remained a mystery. Evey's character is the only character I enjoyed. She's vulnerable and sympathetic and Portman gives a brilliant performance.
One of my biggest gripes of the movie overall is dialogue. It drove me crazy. It's verbose and hyperbolic ALL THE TIME. None of the characters speak like a regular person and the interactions between the characters feel contrived as a result.
But the cherry on top that killed any potential for me to like this movie is the romance between the two main characters. Why was the decision made to make V and Evey's relationship a romance? Why?! Their relationship is like a father/daughter or mentor/mentee type relationship. There is zero romantic or sexual chemistry or tension between them until it suddenly erupts the last quarter of the movie. It's cheap, forced and uncomfortable, particularly in the context of what V does to Evey (imprisons and tortures her for months all in a bid to "make her fearless"). It adds nothing to the overall story and steals focus from what the movie is actually about.
Overall, I see why people like this movie and it does have a lot of good components, but it's not everything it's cracked up to be. Anybody that dares to criticise it gets downvoted but I wanted to it's provide a balanced perspective for people seeking one, because this is very far from being a 9 or 10 star movie despite what other reviews here would have people believe.
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