M
Manhattan Buckeye
Posts: 7,566
Nov 5, 2012 4:00am
since this is the biggest movie of the season I'm starting a new thread apart from the Random Movie News - I watched it Saturday morning my time and had the chance to digest the film a bit.
Director Sam Mendes chose to take a significant turn with this new entry in the Daniel Craig era and make the film more Christopher Nolan-esque, a bit darker with some bits of humor introduced along the way. Divorced entirely from the plot direction in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, Skyfall is a story in of itself with no link to the previous two films. Beautifully filmed, well-acted and paying considerable homage to historical Bond films, it is an enjoyable film well worth watching, but not without its flaws that depending on your attitude on how a Bond film should be will dictate your ability to suspend belief at times.
The film begins as all Bond films do, this time with a complex opening sequence set in Istanbul where James Bond is attempting to retrieve a stolen piece of IP material (reminiscent of the first Mission Impossible film). Along with his MI6 partner Eve (Naomi Harris from 28 Days Later and the unfortunate Pirates of the Caribbean sequels) they chase the thief in exotic central Istanbul showcasing the Grand Bizarre, Blue Mosque and the outer Turkish countryside.
The opening song by Adele then plays which is quite impressive in itself.
Bond, injured severely in the chase is curious as to the origin of the thief, wishes to find out more about him and his employer after learning that the stolen IP material could (and has) lead to severe consequences. MI6 and M reluctantly agree to put him back in the field despite the discouragement of an up and coming MI6 bureaucrat (Ralph Fiennes) who believes Bond is too old and injured to keep in a "young person's" game.
Along the way, Bond travels to Shanghai, a casino in Macau (both filmed incredibly) and learns more about the thief, his employer (Javier Bardem - obvious by the credits so I don't consider that a spoiler) and their intentions, as well as meeting another Bond beauty Severine ([payed by Berenice Marlohe). Bond also finds out that M has not been as forthcoming about certain portions of history in the double-o program and her relationship with Bardem's character. In the final act we surmise more about Bond's history, his relationship with M and the ultimate showdown of wits with Bardem.
For a Bond film there are themes, whether it is redemption, loyalty or the overcoming of age obstacles (evidenced that the new Q is far younger than Bond). As mentioned above there are many homages to older films which will make traditional Bond fans happy, yet the production value is of '12 quality.
I give it 3.5 stars out of 4. There are weaknesses, like all Bond films one has to suspend belief at certain points, and the respective Bond girls have very little screen time or influence on most events in the film (my wife brought this point up astutely). Javier Bardem arrived very late in the film and chewed up the scene a bit too much (the theater laughed at certain times, for the wrong reasons) and seemed to channel Tim Curry. Some of the puns work better than others, and for a spoiler-free review I have to admit that MGM practically gave up any "spoilers" with how they credited the film. Still, an enjoyable entry to the Craig regime. I actually preferred it to Casino Royale, but my wife prefers the latter - we both agree it was a positive step up from Quantum.
Director Sam Mendes chose to take a significant turn with this new entry in the Daniel Craig era and make the film more Christopher Nolan-esque, a bit darker with some bits of humor introduced along the way. Divorced entirely from the plot direction in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, Skyfall is a story in of itself with no link to the previous two films. Beautifully filmed, well-acted and paying considerable homage to historical Bond films, it is an enjoyable film well worth watching, but not without its flaws that depending on your attitude on how a Bond film should be will dictate your ability to suspend belief at times.
The film begins as all Bond films do, this time with a complex opening sequence set in Istanbul where James Bond is attempting to retrieve a stolen piece of IP material (reminiscent of the first Mission Impossible film). Along with his MI6 partner Eve (Naomi Harris from 28 Days Later and the unfortunate Pirates of the Caribbean sequels) they chase the thief in exotic central Istanbul showcasing the Grand Bizarre, Blue Mosque and the outer Turkish countryside.
The opening song by Adele then plays which is quite impressive in itself.
Bond, injured severely in the chase is curious as to the origin of the thief, wishes to find out more about him and his employer after learning that the stolen IP material could (and has) lead to severe consequences. MI6 and M reluctantly agree to put him back in the field despite the discouragement of an up and coming MI6 bureaucrat (Ralph Fiennes) who believes Bond is too old and injured to keep in a "young person's" game.
Along the way, Bond travels to Shanghai, a casino in Macau (both filmed incredibly) and learns more about the thief, his employer (Javier Bardem - obvious by the credits so I don't consider that a spoiler) and their intentions, as well as meeting another Bond beauty Severine ([payed by Berenice Marlohe). Bond also finds out that M has not been as forthcoming about certain portions of history in the double-o program and her relationship with Bardem's character. In the final act we surmise more about Bond's history, his relationship with M and the ultimate showdown of wits with Bardem.
For a Bond film there are themes, whether it is redemption, loyalty or the overcoming of age obstacles (evidenced that the new Q is far younger than Bond). As mentioned above there are many homages to older films which will make traditional Bond fans happy, yet the production value is of '12 quality.
I give it 3.5 stars out of 4. There are weaknesses, like all Bond films one has to suspend belief at certain points, and the respective Bond girls have very little screen time or influence on most events in the film (my wife brought this point up astutely). Javier Bardem arrived very late in the film and chewed up the scene a bit too much (the theater laughed at certain times, for the wrong reasons) and seemed to channel Tim Curry. Some of the puns work better than others, and for a spoiler-free review I have to admit that MGM practically gave up any "spoilers" with how they credited the film. Still, an enjoyable entry to the Craig regime. I actually preferred it to Casino Royale, but my wife prefers the latter - we both agree it was a positive step up from Quantum.
like_that
Posts: 26,625
Nov 5, 2012 6:15am
This was supposed to be spoiler free?
M
Manhattan Buckeye
Posts: 7,566
Nov 5, 2012 6:23am
Where was the spoiler? Nothing I said deviated from the trailer. We all know Bardem is the "bad guy." Unless you think James Bond died during the opening sequence (which would have made this a 15 minute movie), absolutely nothing I posted had anything to do with any type of spoiler.
If you want spoilers I can give them to you via PM, but they are all obvious.
If you want spoilers I can give them to you via PM, but they are all obvious.
M
MontyBrunswick
Nov 5, 2012 7:39am
Waiting on the martyirish review.
like_that
Posts: 26,625
Nov 5, 2012 7:49am
Skyfall is supposed to be a good movie, so you won't see a review from him.dlazz;1312943 wrote:Waiting on the martyirish review.
M
MontyBrunswick
Nov 5, 2012 8:06am
That's a really good point.like_that;1312949 wrote:Skyfall is supposed to be a good movie, so you won't see a review from him.
M
Manhattan Buckeye
Posts: 7,566
Nov 5, 2012 8:59am
It was harsh, but true. When he said that Dark Shadows was recommended I was wondering if it was Opposite Day.dlazz;1312954 wrote:That's a really good point.
like_that
Posts: 26,625
Nov 5, 2012 9:50am
Dark Shadows is oscar worthy compared to the other movies he reviewed.Manhattan Buckeye;1312996 wrote:It was harsh, but true. When he said that Dark Shadows was recommended I was wondering if it was Opposite Day.
SportsAndLady
Posts: 35,632
Nov 13, 2012 9:44pm
Saw it...thought it was good, overall. One of those movies that seemed too long, but every scene was definitely needed.
I thought Javier Bardem was fantastic...the movie really took off when he--finally--showed up.
I thought Javier Bardem was fantastic...the movie really took off when he--finally--showed up.
j_crazy
Posts: 8,372
Nov 13, 2012 10:25pm
Wish bardem Was featured more. Awesome movie though. Lots of action which is what bond movies ought to be
namod65
Posts: 508
Nov 13, 2012 10:32pm
This movie has lots of similarities with The Dark Knight. Especially the villian and his plot.
TedSheckler
Posts: 3,974
Nov 14, 2012 5:34am
It was ok. I give it a 7/10. Not as good as Casino Royale. Entertaining, but hokie when the end turns into defending a home against a bunch of bad guys all Home Alone style.
M
Manhattan Buckeye
Posts: 7,566
Nov 14, 2012 5:41am
Agreed that it took him a long time to show up...we all knew he was the villain, would have liked to have seen him earlier.SportsAndLady;1319729 wrote:Saw it...thought it was good, overall. One of those movies that seemed too long, but every scene was definitely needed.
I thought Javier Bardem was fantastic...the movie really took off when he--finally--showed up.
SportsAndLady
Posts: 35,632
Nov 15, 2012 8:41am