New James Bond Film: "Skyfall" [R]

Is it some in-joke amongst directors to give Bardem the worst possible hairstyles?

 

Adele has knocked the ball clean out of the park with the theme song.



What a voice. Instant classic.

 

Really? I found it to be a bit bland personally.

 

Extremely positive reviews of Skyfall starting to trickle out. "Best Bond film ever," claims IGN. I've heard other glowing reports, too. I'm getting pretty excited! Especially since a blockbuster like that is likely to be released on the same day in Ecuador, where I'm living.

 

Best Bond movie ever would seriously surprise me. I'd settle for "Better than Casino Royale".

 

I am not reading this thread because I don't like hearing about films before I see them.

But I thought this was worthwhile:

 

Just got back from Skyfall. I really liked it. WAY better than Quantum of Solace, and probably as good as Casino Royale (some aspects are better, in fact). Great villain, great performance by Javier Bardem.

Third act strains credulity, however.

And it strikes me that the last three Bond films share something in common with the Nolan Batman films-- in an effort to be taken more seriously, they cast aside some of the light heartedness and camp. So, for that reason, I probably won't give Skyfall my personal "best Bond film ever" nod. I like light heartedness and camp.

 

OK I'm not a critic, I'm not going to give some psudo New York Times account of the movie. My criteria is: Was I entertained and did I get value for money?

Well for Skyfall it's Yes! and Yes!

Typical exhausing start, even had me ducking in my seat when that bridge showed up Almost non stop action from a great cast of characters and colateral damage extras.


I will...IMO... put Craig just edging out Connery in best bonds, probably because of time dating. We had a series of "Plummy, almost effett, good old boy" Bonds. Now Craig brings back the gritty, get the job done, then answer questions Bond.

Sure it stretches the bounds of disbelief but it doesn't stop you enjoying the movie or feeling that you've just got your money's worth and been fully entertained. And I was!!!

All thumbs up for me.

 

First half better than any Bond before it. Craig undoubtedly best Bond. But that second half was odd. I think Bardem didn't manage to create a compelling villain. The dialogue, the tone all shifted so much and became almost cartoony.

It looked amazing though throughout. Deakins masterful and finally a well choreographed action film. With this and recent MI film, there's hope for action yet.

 

Saw it. Liked it.

Spoiler stuff ahead, I'll put an [R] in the thread in a moment.

Ditto Sir Manchester's comment: Really great looking film. The fight on the train -- while done a million times before -- was great, imho, thanks to some really interesting shots. I loved how you could make out the fight even as they were screened through passing trees, and all the other Moneypenny POV shots were really good, including the finale of that scene.

And there was something about that backwards plummet that was just fantastic.

Plus Shanghai -- wow. Modern Shanghai has been in lots of movies over the years, but I don't think I've ever quite got the scope of that city like in this film. I'm sure seeing it in IMAX had a lot to do with that. Even moreso, the scenes at the end, with Bond running through the orange and yellow lit moors were simply gorgeous.

Plot wise: Whatever.
It all seemed kindly of pointlessly insular. Javier Bardem really wanted to kill M. That was about it. And with all his genius and resources and firepower--with endless henchmen, massive explosives, computer networks, helicopters and flying (empty) subway trains, he ultimately walks into a government hearing and tries to pop her with a handgun. I get the personal touch, yet pretty dumb. But again: whatever.

That said, I think the relationship story between M and Bond was well done--especially as they methodically chipped away at M's moral high ground. She lets that first agent Ronson die, she calls for the shot on Bond practically killing him, she lies to Bond about his tests, she even pretends not to know the story of Bond's parents (which seems especially cold and calculating), and of course she cops to flat out giving up Bardem to the Chinese in exchange for other agents. That was nicely heavy stuff. And basically, Bardem wins -- he was willing to have M kill them both, and he basically kills her with his plan. Also kudos for the guts to kill off such a great character.

I like the idea of Ralph Fiennes as the new M a lot. But I'm surprised how less than convinced I was by him in the film. I'm a huge fan, but Judi Dench seemed to kick his ass in every scene. She's bloody amazing.

Bond stuff: That car reveal probably got the biggest reaction in the entire film. And it was hilarious that the blowing up of that car seemed to be the only thing that got Daniel Craig visibly, audibly super angry. That cracked me up.

Q: Didn't hate him. Plus he has the advantage of simply serving in a traditional role, like M, rather than reviving an actual older character, like Moneypenny. Because I do hate things like creating this Moneypenny backstory, which I generally find overly cute. But the actress held her own in most scenes and I liked Craig's consistent dissing of her that was more collegial than strictly superior or predatory.

Opening credits: I'm a sucker for that sort of thing, and I loved the modern take on the traditional sequence -- thematic clues to the film, silhouette nudes, guns and knives, psychedelic animation. Well done.

EDIT:
One more point on the Whateverness of the plot:
Bardem being captured so early reeked of the Joker's plan in Dark Knight [intentionally being caught]. And lo and behold, so it was. And the class cage only reminded me of Magneto's cell. Both of which took me right out of the film.

Bonus gripe:
Hey, was Bane the location scout and interior decorator for the new MI-6? Just sayin . . . .

 

I've come to entertain the idea that the latter part of the film was a satire rather than an homage to the Bond franchise. Hard to think those were are conscious decisions.

 

Are you talking about the "home alone" sequence at Skyfall? Yeah, that thought occurred to me too!

 

Home Alone, the stupid recent Batman films, the anti-hero thing. Yea the plan is to take Bond into the 21st Century but it did itself no favors trying to imitate its popular superhero peers.

Anyway, given how brilliant the first half was it begs the question what the real intention of the second was.

Bardem too, was extremely ordinary, bordering on dreadful and cartoony. That had to be a conscious decision.

 

Did you notice the couple of lines of dialogue that were snatched from The Dark Knight Rises almost word for word? Seems a bit unlikely that was a mere coincidence.

Although in fairness, Bond has been copying the flavor du jour for a very long time now. Moonraker was an attempt to cash in on the Star Wars fad. Octopussy was their attempt at Indiana Jones. Casino Royale was a reaction to Bourne. I suppose it makes sense they would imitate the most successful franchise of the current era for Skyfall.

 

That's fair. I think what this film did though that might be a little damaging is to reference the heroes as much as the conceptual aspects of the worlds they inhabit. So now Bond is the anti-hero/Batman/loner type with parental issues.

Is that the only prototype for heroes in mainstream film nowadays?

 

I just love you guys and your superior than thou movie attitudes. Just the idea that you could actually use "Home Alone" as an analogy, speaks volumes...

Let me ask again. Were you entertained and did you feel you got value for money?

If you feel that you're bond traditionalists, then his quip from one of his 3 Bonds would get you.
Give me a vodka martini. Would that be stirred or shaken sir? Do I look like I'd give a damn!!!!

 

What else would you compare that montage where they prepare the mansion for Silva's arrival to? It's too silly to equate with "Straw Dogs". It truly is much closer to "Home Alone".

 

Entertainment is so broad a term.

It's relative as Holy Motors entertained me far more than Skyfall for different reasons but yea I loved the Skyfall experience. It was like a fusion meal, performed in extremes but overall I think it's the most accomplished Bond film and easily the best looking film of the year and probably won't be matched in the near future by any genre. It was just so rich.