Skyfall is both a departure from recent themes and a return to the grandeur which line my memories of the Sean Connery Bond era.
Like many others, I was initially resistant to Daniel Craig's gritty and raw Bond. However, in Skyfall I believe he truly embodies the grace and brutality which is 007 of the 21st Century.
And like most Bond movies, Skyfall opens on a bloody scene of recent violence. However, for the first time we see reticence in James' face as he tends to his fallen comrade instead of racing off to apprehend the bad guy. Inevitably, he does give chase and a marvellous pursuit ensues, with some spectacular action and truly memorable moments! (I will never look at an excavator or VW Beetle in the same way again!).
The 23rd Bond movie opens up scars and shows us heart and hurt which cut beyond the physical. All of the critical characters are wounded, hunted or haunted in some way - and this makes compelling viewing as the story unfolds. Yes, the plot is thin and convoluted, but all Bond plots are. However, the emotional depth and witty dialogue keeps the audience engaged, even in the quieter times.
Skyfall weaves several themes together, but the most obvious and enjoyable theme is that of old verses the new. We see the venerable M, acerbic and tenacious as ever and meet the new Q and the brave new world he seeks to control at a digital distance. And then we meet Silva. His brilliance, his madness! What a nemesis! Javier Bardem is superb as Bond's foil: genius sociopath who is bored with his power and seeks a more personal reward. I really enjoyed the not so subtle homage to Hannibal Lecter as well. Both the Bond girls are gorgeous. Naomie Harris' Eve is sexy and spunky with the energy of youth and ambition. However, Sévérine is simply beyond beautiful. I submit that she is the most stunning Bond girl yet… Bérénice Marlohe's performance is wonderful, simultaneously imbuing her character with a haughty confidence and fragility. Unfortunately we do not see enough of the tragic siren Sévérine.
The writing is sharp and really funny, the direction is magnificent and the CG is seamless. The quiet scene when Bond and M reach Scotland left me breathless at the beauty of the landscape and carefully constructed palette. It is a beautiful film.
Yes, it is violent as per a standard Bond movie, however it has far less gratuitous violence than its predecessors. This is a movie which can be enjoyed by a younger audience, as long as they are accustomed to 'action violence'. Even the sex scenes…aren't. They are only suggestive, and not explored on screen. A little disappointing, however compensated for by the number of times we see Daniel Craig's fine torso. And his return to form heralds the arrival of new characters who will carry us into the next 50 years.
While the action is classic big-scale Bond, there is an obvious lack of gadgetry and complex systems for 007 to rely on. This underscores the battle between traditional spy-craft and the detached digital age. As a result there is a realism which this century needs. The ageing characters are tired, their knees hurt, they don't get up again so easily. I enjoyed the grit. It feels authentic on both a physical and emotional level. Which is why, for me, Skyfall is the Best Bond Ever.
4.5 stars.
Like many others, I was initially resistant to Daniel Craig's gritty and raw Bond. However, in Skyfall I believe he truly embodies the grace and brutality which is 007 of the 21st Century.
And like most Bond movies, Skyfall opens on a bloody scene of recent violence. However, for the first time we see reticence in James' face as he tends to his fallen comrade instead of racing off to apprehend the bad guy. Inevitably, he does give chase and a marvellous pursuit ensues, with some spectacular action and truly memorable moments! (I will never look at an excavator or VW Beetle in the same way again!).
The 23rd Bond movie opens up scars and shows us heart and hurt which cut beyond the physical. All of the critical characters are wounded, hunted or haunted in some way - and this makes compelling viewing as the story unfolds. Yes, the plot is thin and convoluted, but all Bond plots are. However, the emotional depth and witty dialogue keeps the audience engaged, even in the quieter times.
Skyfall weaves several themes together, but the most obvious and enjoyable theme is that of old verses the new. We see the venerable M, acerbic and tenacious as ever and meet the new Q and the brave new world he seeks to control at a digital distance. And then we meet Silva. His brilliance, his madness! What a nemesis! Javier Bardem is superb as Bond's foil: genius sociopath who is bored with his power and seeks a more personal reward. I really enjoyed the not so subtle homage to Hannibal Lecter as well. Both the Bond girls are gorgeous. Naomie Harris' Eve is sexy and spunky with the energy of youth and ambition. However, Sévérine is simply beyond beautiful. I submit that she is the most stunning Bond girl yet… Bérénice Marlohe's performance is wonderful, simultaneously imbuing her character with a haughty confidence and fragility. Unfortunately we do not see enough of the tragic siren Sévérine.
The writing is sharp and really funny, the direction is magnificent and the CG is seamless. The quiet scene when Bond and M reach Scotland left me breathless at the beauty of the landscape and carefully constructed palette. It is a beautiful film.
Yes, it is violent as per a standard Bond movie, however it has far less gratuitous violence than its predecessors. This is a movie which can be enjoyed by a younger audience, as long as they are accustomed to 'action violence'. Even the sex scenes…aren't. They are only suggestive, and not explored on screen. A little disappointing, however compensated for by the number of times we see Daniel Craig's fine torso. And his return to form heralds the arrival of new characters who will carry us into the next 50 years.
While the action is classic big-scale Bond, there is an obvious lack of gadgetry and complex systems for 007 to rely on. This underscores the battle between traditional spy-craft and the detached digital age. As a result there is a realism which this century needs. The ageing characters are tired, their knees hurt, they don't get up again so easily. I enjoyed the grit. It feels authentic on both a physical and emotional level. Which is why, for me, Skyfall is the Best Bond Ever.
4.5 stars.
Sorry about the ALL CAPS folks, I'm not sure why it is doing it. Very annoying, I know. I'll try to fix it asap!
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