The futuristic story focuses on Evey (Natalie Portman), a mild-mannered young lady in totalitarian Britain who is saved from a dangerous situation by V (Hugo Weaving), who then invites her to a special show where it turns out he blows up the building of the justice ministry to the tune of the "1812 Overture". Because of this, Evey becomes identified with V and their tyrannical dictator, Sutler (John Hurt), orders all his henchmen to pursue both Evey and V. Evey works in a TV station and just cops are about to arrest her there, V turns up and airs an incendiary message warning the government that he will blow up the British parliament on November 5, in commemoration of another British rebel, Guy Fawkes. He’s cornered by a cop but Evey, in turn, rescues him. He then takes Evey into his underground lair that reminds you of "The Phantom of the Opera".

Things escalate into more violent situations. As Evey learns more about V’s mysterious background, she also starts to think for herself and becomes V’s ally as she realizes that V is a good guy who’s actually a freedom fighter bringing down a government that has systematically lied to the nation. V turns out to be the victim of a horrible biological experiment gone wrong and he is only taking revenge on the people who operated the detention center where he became a guinea pig. This includes a crusading broadcaster, a pedophile priest and a female doctor who changed her name, but V is still able to trace her.

Evey herself is a victim of the repressive government. She saw how her parents were taken away and how she lost her brother, but unlike V who takes things into his own hands, she chose to be submissive, cowed by fear. But like the Phantom coaching Christine, V eventually makes her realize the need to get involved to make things right, and this is a razor-sharp political theme that should resonate with us Filipinos today now that the government has cheated us and continues to milk us with unabated corruption and onerous taxes.

The film is made with great style and is visually gorgeous, with the spectacular explosive finale showing the famous Big Ben landmark being blown up. Its political undercurrents should also be noticed by Americans to help them think of terrorism from the point of view of the other side, those who were victimized and are now just getting back at their oppressors. V maybe a masked terrorist, but there’s no doubt he’s on the side of the people he wants to liberate. Take note that it is indicated here that the situation in the U.S. got worse and worse, leading into a second Civil War.

The entire cast is exceedingly good. Stephen Rea shines as Finch, the government agent who investigates the case of V and eventually sympathizes with him as he learns more about his gruesome past. John Hurt gives a credible portrayal of a politician who will do anything to hold onto power after his wordless performance as the scared voodoo victim in "Skeleton Key".

Natalie Portman is even better here than in "Closer", where she got an Oscar nomination. You can’t help but get swept along with her as the story unfolds, particularly when she is arrested and gets tortured and learns about the fate of a lesbian inmate whose cell is situated next to her. She is the symbol of the ordinary citizen who’s been successfully manipulated to be obsequious through fear. The Aussie actor, Hugo Weaving (Mr. Smith in "The Matrix"), does wonders with his role. He commands our attention from the first time we hear him introduce himself with alliterative dialogue using words that all start with V. We never see his face as it’s hidden all throughout by a mask, but his charismatic voice and body language are enough to effectively impart all the raw emotions felt by his character, never overdoing it by being more theatrical.

Action fans will not be disappointed as there are some hard-hitting action sequences they’ll surely find delightfully entertaining. We just don’t know how V became so dangerously skilled in the art of combat and knife-throwing, but that doesn’t matter anymore as his aim to topple the abusive government remains noble and totally justified. In the end, its most profound message really makes you think: "People should not be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people." Yes, we, the people. have the power to change the status quo, if we’d will it. If you value real freedom and democracy, see this movie and formulate your own opinion.