Growing up I remember watching some of the Bond movies starring various actors playing the iconic character. I never really fell in love with this franchise however as I always had the feeling that they offered the same type of story time and time again. Rinse and repeat until it felt silly (which probably was because of the Roger Moore movies).
The franchise needed some new blood and made relevant again and with Daniel Craig and Casino Royale it was pushed into Bourne territory. I really liked the movie, but felt disappointed again after seeing Quantum of Solace. Although I wasn’t really excited about this new installement in the adventures of Bond I did decide to check it out with the hopes it would offer that which I loved in Casino Royale.
Straight from the start Skyfall manages to deliver with one of the best action scenes I’ve seen this year, taking place in Istanbul. It’s the type of action that just as easily could have been in the opening of a Fast and Furious or Batman movie and it immediately sets the tone for the rest of the movie. Daniel Craig’s Bond is a vulnerable one, as we’ve already seen in the previous two movies and this also rings true for Skyfall. His patriotism is what drives him and he’s willing to go the full distance to make sure his country remains safe even if that means giving his life.
Although the story is a typical Bond story, it feels unique and sometimes feels inspired by something like The Dark Knight with some similarities in story. I really enjoyed Javier Bardem as the villain, who is responsible for some funny moments.
A big part of the previous two movies was the relationship between M (Judi Dench) and 007, with M always try to help him as much as she could. M was as much of a force to be reckoned with as the secret agent she was advising. She knows her agents and is a strong woman fighting for her beliefs even if she has to go against what others are telling her. As one of the cornerstones of the new movies she returns here, more important than ever.
And as for all the controversy of Bond only drinking a certain beer? As with previous movies it wasn’t that big of a deal as he only does so in one scene and is happily drinking a martini later in the movie. The DNA of what makes Bond hasn’t been lost and there are regular references to previous films. This is the Bond movie I was hoping it would be and probably one of my favorite movies this year. After 50 years Bond still manages to remain relevant and that’s impressive.
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I can’t wait to see this one. I’ve heard only great things about Skyfall and your review makes me even more excited.
Yeah, it is amazing and when I watched the trailer I actually considered heading to the cinema again to watch it 🙂
Reblogged this on "You Jivin' Me, Turkey?" and commented:
I Wanna Wanna WANNA SEE IT!!! And I Will. Trust Me, I Will!!!
I Need My BOND-FIX, And I Have The Feeling “SKYFALL” Is The Answer!!! How’s It Go? I’ve Got A Fever… And The Only Prescription… Is More BOND!!! WOOOOOOO!!!
BRING IT, Kids, BRING IT INDEED!!! 😀
-B.
Thanks and it looks you can’t wait to check it out. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Very nice review. Since you seem to have had the same feelings I did regarding Casino Royale vs Quantum, I’m definitely taking your response to Skyfall seriously. So psyched to see this!
Thanks Erin! Enjoy it when you get to watch it 🙂
I’m on the same page. This is the kind of Bond I like. As of the beer brand: funny enough I didn’t notice it when he was drinking. The only time I thought to myself “This is product placement”, it was when I saw a box with the beer brand in question passing by in the background. It was only for a fraction of a second, but I noticed it for some reason.
I think I was too involved in the movie most of the time to think about product placement.
Hi Jessica, are you back from your holiday to Rome? Haven’t checked your blog yet, but hope you had a great time.
I did notice it because there was so much talk about it that I automatically focussed on it. But besides that the product placement wasn’t that bad. It was obvious that Sony sponsored the phones and laptops, but it didn’t stand out. Like you say the movie manages to grab your attention and not let go 🙂
Great review. Hopefully posting mine up at some point today, I loved it too, thought it was a real return to form after QoS. I always know when I enjoyed a film when I come out and immediately want to watch it again!
Thanks, saw you liked it as well.
“After 50 years Bond still manages to remain relevant and that’s impressive.” Nice finishing sentence there Nostra. As not much of a Bond fan myself I quite liked this. I liked Casino Royale more though but this almost lived up to the hype. A decent flick and one of the better Bond movies.
Thanks a lot Mark!
Glad you liked the film! I was so glad Judi Dench had such a big part in this movie, she is such a fantastic actress.
Yeah, she’s amazing and has so much screen presence!
Great review! I too was disappointed by Quantum of Solace largely due to the fact that it globe-trotted too much and, as you say, turned into more of a Bourne film for doing so. It was great to see Skyfall bring Bond back to his roots in more ways than one!
Yeah, QoS was disappointing. Don’t mind the Bourne influence, but it didn’t feel like a focussed movie…
Great review, I can’t wait to see Skyfall.
Hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.
Recently saw it and loved it, you should check out my review.
Have done so!
Nice Review. I saw the movie recently and loved it. The best part was that movie was high on its emotional quotient which was missing for the last few movies except Casino Royale. Initial action sequence was amazing. Just perfect for a bond movie. Loved it.
Exactly, the vulnerability really makes it work and stand out.
Of Craig’s movies, I’ve only seen Casino Royale and was floored, especially by the parkour scene at the beginning. I saw the trailer to this and was instantly very excited to see this!
Yeah, that was a great scene. Hope you’ll enjoy it!
I did! I watched it yesterday and will be posting this week! Hope you can read it!
Nice, looking forward to reading your thoughts on it.
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Great post & great movie
Thanks daviruz
Great review. Nice to see you liked it as much as me and that you think it shared some similarities with TDK. I wonder how many people have picked up on that.
Thanks Fernando. I think more people will pick up on it…
9 is a good score, it’s an excellent excellent flick. I totally agree on the opening pre-title action sequence. I mean, that’s some serious stuff right there! And it does pretty much announce that the movie is playing for keeps. 🙂
Yeah, it’s something you have to experience on the big screen…my heart was pumping and I was sitting there with one of the biggest grins enjoying that sequence.
The product placement can get a bit awkward. Heineken, Omega watches are two of the products I noticed. As long as he doesn’t sit down and eat a Subway sandwich…
Classic Bond is back. A welcome return to the principles that make Bond great. I loved it. Great review!
I really only noticed the Heineken and Sony stuff, but it wasn’t that bad. Nice to hear you liked it as much as well Mark!
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