V for Vendetta

This is the Odeon cinema on Leicester Square. The largest cinema in Great Britain, with a capacity of 1700, this is where all UK film premieres, and the BAFTAs, are held. The building, and often the whole square, is redecorated for a major film release. You can still see some V for Vendetta flags still hanging near the tree.

I really enjoyed the film. It's glossy, thought-provoking, and offers a few narrative twists to keep things interesting. It also features several London locations, including the Old Bailey, the BT Tower, and the Houses of Parliament.

Set in a dystopic future vision of London, the film attempts to present the flip-side of terrorism - the notion that terrorists are inherently honourable, and a necessary evil to overpower fascist regimes. Despite the futuristic setting, the city looks very much like today's capital. And as there are several high-profile terrorist events, including one attack on the Underground, this all might ring a little too true for some Londoners. I saw around ten people walk out of the picture, never to return. Then again, maybe I'm reading too much into it. For an action film, it wasn't afraid of miring the action in slow scenes.

Still, unlike many action films, this one does make you think. The film ends (literally) quite explosively, seemingly on a high note, and seemingly in favour of terrorism (at least under certain circumstances). In fact, it teeters on the brink of being irresponsible, and I fear that many viewers will not look past the Hollywood ending, and not see the subtle hint that terrorist events are empty promises, and that nobody really wins.

Remember, remember, the fifth of November...