Bond 23 - SkyFall

[Fierce_LiNk]

I've finally seen this. It's a good film, but it is nowhere near being as good as it's hyped up to be. It's better than Quantum of Solace, mind.

 

Plot was a bit...shit. It's not what you watch a Bond film for, but it's too much. I was a bit disappointed with Javier Bardem's character. Javier himself was excellent in the role, but the character was missing something. I was expecting more from him.

 

That being said, the introduction sequence was great and I love the sequence where:

 

Bond climbs up that elevator and kills the dude/lets him fall off the side of the building. That silhouette fight was good cinema.

 

[Retro_Link]

It's completely overhyped and over-rated IMO.

 

Personally I think Craig has already done a much better Bond in Casino Royale, and there are other Bonds that are much more enjoyable too.

[Fierce_LiNk]

It's completely overhyped and over-rated IMO.

 

Personally I think Craig has already done a much better Bond in Casino Royale, and there are other Bonds that are much more enjoyable too.

 

I enjoyed it/loved it up until the shot-glass scene. After that, the film seemed to lose momentum it turned a bit ridiculous. Not saying Bond isn't meant to be ridiculous, but the plot afterwards just took a nose-dive, imo. Everything before-hand was great. The build-up was good, the scene at the casino was a highlight.

 

I have to agree with @Shorty's post a few posts up.

[Coolness Bears]

Skyfall: All the Spoilers Ahead.

 

What made the film so compelling for me was the cinematography. Roger Deakins is on top form here with Scotland essentially being transformed into landscape porn. (can't believe he didn't get the Oscar) It's so bleak and desolate, it is like they have been transported through time. (I want to live there) It's not just that though with each scene/set piece he created the mood and tone of each one so perfectly straight from the beginning with Daniel Craig appearing out of the shadows right up to the finale.

 

In terms of the film I was the other way round and found the second half much better than the first. (particularly Scotland) The opening I didn't enjoy and thought it was a bit "silly" the whole fighting on top of the train, the digger, The motorbike, getting shot it wasn't working for me at all. It didn't help that I thought Money Penny wasn't a great actress.

 

At some point during the film though that switched and I realised I'd been loving it for a good while even though the characterisation of a british person is to say BLOODY a lot. :p (which I do now.) Even though I was starting to like it in Shanghai and at the Casino (Re: Cinematography) it wasn't until Javier Bardem is introduced where I thought it was actually going somewhere. The scene where he meets Bond on the island and slowly walks up to him from the lift I thought was excellent. I do feel his character is under used, his motives not entirely clear or thought out that well but still an engaging villain due to Bardem's acting. I like how the film felt more personal than other bonds and having M die was a bold decision which I applaud them for.

 

I think I'm one of the only people who liked it when the girl got shot as that showed to me that this isn't going to be a regular bond outing with a damsel in distress and reminded me of the Casino Royale opening when bond is seen smashing out this guy in the bathroom that it was reaffirming that this bond is going to be more brutal.

 

I loved everything to do with London but then I am biased.

 

I didn't let those usual things niggle at me because as an action film I thought it was very good miles ahead of Quantum of Solace but for me it doesn't beat out Casino Royale which was a much more solid film in its entirety. Although I had the opposite problem with it as I felt it loses its way a bit towards the end but it regains its momentum in the final scene when Daniel Craig finally says the words. "The names bond...James Bond."

 

[bob]

I need to watch this again i think. It's out on DVD now right?

[LegoMan1031]

I need to watch this again i think. It's out on DVD now right?

 

It is!

 

I have watched it twice on blu ray since watching it in the cinema and I still think it's amazing! :p

[Grazza]

I watched the BluRay of this last night, and my main thoughts were that it just goes on too long and lets the pace drop too many times.

 

Spoilers ahead

 

It started off well, and at first I thought it might live up to the hype. The train fight was great, and Bond's return as a washed-out and out-of-shape figure was interesting (it can't all be action sequences, after all). The casino scene was classic Bond (probably the best in the series, even - loved the Roger Moore/Live and Let Die reference). If only the whole film could have had that light-hearted flair.

 

By the time Raoul Silva was introduced, I didn't have too many grumbles, I just thought the film had taken too long to get to that point. Nonetheless, when he was captured, this again felt like a natural time for the pace to drop.

 

When Silva escaped (by the way, did this film remind anyone else of Batman: the Dark Knight?), it should have been non-stop action from that point on, but after the tube chase, the pace dropped again as they made their preparations at Skyfall.

 

What I did like about this was how intimidating they made the villain seem. How he could track Bond and M to a remote part of Scotland, all on British territory! When the helicopter appeared I just thought "Bravo! How the heck's Bond going to get out of this one?" Considering he did actually find a plausible solution impressed me even more. But how do you top that? Well, they couldn't, and yet the film slowed down once again.

 

I really wanted to see a fight between Bond and Silva, stripped of all his weapons and technology (to illustrate 007's full return to fitness, and show what he's best at), but instead there was a rather plodding trip to the chapel, where Bond defeated him in a way anyone could have done, quite honestly.

 

Overall, there were some really good scenes, but I felt it should have been at least 40 minutes shorter. It also left me confused about how it became such a mainstream hit, as I don't think there was anything about it that made it massively different to Quantum of Solace (although yes, it was a bit better). Personally, I'd still say Casino Royale is easily Daniel Craig's best Bond film, and my personal favourite since the reboot is The World is Not Enough.

 

Skyfall's cinematography was indeed something to behold, but I can't help but think they have made Bond too serious and "artistic", and not entertaining enough. There were certainly a few laughs, but I'd have happily swapped most of the film to hear Roger Moore say something about "Keeping the British end up".

[Retro_Link]

It also left me confused about how it became such a mainstream hit,

I'm honestly completely bemused by this!

 

Yes it's 50 years of Bond... but that's not something that's going to make people who don't usually watch the films go and see it.

 

So were there mass repeat viewings?... I doubt it because I actually don't think it's that good a film come the end, to warrant it. And for this same reason I can't see how word of mouth could have done it either.

 

I can only genuinely think Adele had something to do with it.

But as Bond songs go it's pretty standard. Also on a personal not I didn't like the Skyfall titles. Too dark.

 

---

 

*SPOILERS*

 

 

 

Question: Where did Moneypenny's bullet hit him?

Because despite it blowing him off the bridge, they only ever show/focus on him having the one bullet injury.

[Ville]

Hmm, I've heard only good things about this movie. Even my mother complimented it, and that's saying something... : o

[Retro_Link]

Yeah but to become the UK highest ever grossing film...

 

If a Craig Bond film was gonna do that, Casino Royale was the better film to do it.

 

And that's just Bond films!... there are countless better other films.

Edited March 12, 2013 by Retro_Link

[Fierce_LiNk]

The best way to judge a film isn't when it's out in the cinema and is caught up in the media hype. Watching it a few months afterwards or further down the line usually gives you an indication of how good it is.

 

This is completely average. Strong start, good middle, loses it towards the end. It loses all momentum once Raoul is revealed. It never re-captured any of that energy beforehand. Even the scenes where he escapes capture is a bit blah.

[Retro_Link]

But what was it that brought all these people to the cinema to watch it? Because it is average, you can tell that when you walk out having seen it. Hype can only have an impact on the opening couple of weeks, after that word would have got around to others less bothered, to maybe just wait for the DVD... but instead ticket sales just kept going!

[Aneres11]

Totally one hundred percent disagree with those saying it's average.

 

I thought it was brilliant. I am a huge Bond fan, have been since I was about 11, own all the films, seen them all loads of times.

 

Skyfall was the Bond film I was personally waiting for. It shits all over everything Pierce Brosnan did (Goldeneye aside) and is easily Craig's best film yet.

 

It brought the whole series bang up to date and didn't feel the need to play on the old Bond cliches that are kind of expected but not always welcome in the series.

 

I'm not saying it's a perfect film because it isn't, but for a Bond fan like me it's very very good. A memorable villain, iconic scenes, nods to the older films that true Bond fans will appreciate, and an updated cast that bring familiarity back to the series. Win.

 

Oh and to top it all off the best Bond theme song for years. :p

[bob]

Hmm, I've heard only good things about this movie. Even my mother complimented it, and that's saying something... : o

 

Mine too! And she only sees about two films a year...

[Retro_Link]

@Aneres11 I don't agree, but it's personal opinion. I just didn't overly enjoy it.

 

What clichés are you talking about, because I'd say it had way more than Craig's other two because of all the nods to previous films.

 

One thing I thought it did successfully was bring back the 'badguys lair' in a non-naff way.

I also thought bringing M, Moneypenny and Q back was well done (even if Bond did outsmart Q) for the films moving forward; that was exciting.

 

But I didn't really enjoy the story a great deal.

[Grazza]

I'm honestly completely bemused by this!

 

Yes it's 50 years of Bond... but that's not something that's going to make people who don't usually watch the films go and see it.

 

So were there mass repeat viewings?... I doubt it because I actually don't think it's that good a film come the end, to warrant it. And for this same reason I can't see how word of mouth could have done it either.

 

That's exactly what I was thinking. I put the hype down to the whole Olympics thing and, yes, Adele. In fact, I'd definitely say the film was overhyped rather than overrated, as I can't even remember seeing any reviews that said it was amazing.

 

As for repeat viewings, that baffles me more than anything else. Going by my workmates, I think people just got it into their heads that everyone had to go and see it. One of my friends went to see it, then his whole family went to see it, but as to whether any of them watched it twice, I don't know. It's interesting that he never actually told me he thought it was good; it's almost as though everyone was just caught up in the hype.

 

Also on a personal not I didn't like the Skyfall titles. Too dark.

 

I wasn't keen either, but just wondered if I was being overly sensitive (seems not). And I don't want to sound a pervert, but there really should have been more silouettes of naked women! Same with the woman in the shower - there should have neen more nudity! We get to see Daniel Craig topless every film nowadays, but not the girls!

 

*SPOILERS*

 

 

 

Question: Where did Moneypenny's bullet hit him?

Because despite it blowing him off the bridge, they only ever show/focus on him having the one bullet injury.

 

There were loads of things like that. To be honest, I find it far more plausible that he survived the blast of that (maybe it scuffed his shoulder or something) rather than the fall to the water! Or jumping in the iced-over lake!

[Retro_Link]

There were loads of things like that. To be honest, I find it far more plausible that he survived the blast of that (maybe it scuffed his shoulder or something) rather than the fall to the water! Or jumping in the iced-over lake!

I just found it really weird, because it full on blew him back off the train into the air... it wasn't as if he stumbled backwards and over the side.

 

I presumed it was the bullet he was cleaning up... and when he took the shards in for analysis and they were found to be 'whatever'... I thought Naomi Harris was going to turn out to be a double agent or something with these bullets... but no... this was the previous guys bullet.

 

... And all signs of hers completely vanished from the film.

[Nintendohnut]

The bullet went straight through him (more powerful weapon). When she comes to collect him before he meets Mallory for the first time in M's office, Eve sort of apologises and Bond says something along the lines of "oh don't worry, it was just a couple of ribs, some of the less vital organs..."

 

Basically, it went through him but didn't do massive amount of damage, not enough to kill him at least. It's unlikely, yes, but no less likely than things in other similar action films. I can think of two much more ridiculous things in other films straight off. Basically, if you're going to go into a cinema to watch a Bond film and start criticising things like him surviving being shot then you're doing it wrong. Any action film, in fact. All cinema, in fact. It's not really the discussion, I know, but If Bond films were realistic he would be following a dude, then he'd radio to someone else and they'd take over and he'd go and do loads of paperwork. I go for action/entertainment, not realism!

 

Really enjoyed it in the cinema and have enjoyed it again since. Had humour, great action scenes (the chase through the underground, while not action-packed, was brilliant) and a great villain. Very disappointed to hear the other day that Mendes won't be back for another one, but still have high hopes for Bond 24!

[Retro_Link]

The bullet went straight through him (more powerful weapon). When she comes to collect him before he meets Mallory for the first time in M's office, Eve sort of apologises and Bond says something along the lines of "oh don't worry, it was just a couple of ribs, some of the less vital organs..."

 

Basically, it went through him but didn't do massive amount of damage, not enough to kill him at least. It's unlikely, yes, but no less likely than things in other similar action films. I can think of two much more ridiculous things in other films straight off. Basically, if you're going to go into a cinema to watch a Bond film and start criticising things like him surviving being shot then you're doing it wrong. Any action film, in fact. All cinema, in fact. It's not really the discussion, I know, but If Bond films were realistic he would be following a dude, then he'd radio to someone else and they'd take over and he'd go and do loads of paperwork. I go for action/entertainment, not realism!

 

Really enjoyed it in the cinema and have enjoyed it again since. Had humour, great action scenes (the chase through the underground, while not action-packed, was brilliant) and a great villain. Very disappointed to hear the other day that Mendes won't be back for another one, but still have high hopes for Bond 24!

The only reason I bring it up is because he had his shirt off cleaning up after his fall, and there's only one bullet hole. They made a point of it, not me.

[Aneres11]

@Aneres11 I don't agree, but it's personal opinion. I just didn't overly enjoy it.

 

What clichés are you talking about, because I'd say it had way more than Craig's other two because of all the nods to previous films.

 

The cliches I am referring to are really the things that you expect from a Bond film. Like the Bond girl for instance. In this film, though we had a girl, she wasn't around for long. Too often there is a fight to save the world and to save / get the girl. This time, it wasn't like that. It was more about Bond and we haven't seen that for a while.

 

Second to that was the little things like 'shaken not stirred' 'Bond... James Bond', though they were there, they weren't really there - and I welcomed that in this film. There wasn't a big deal made of him saying it, but it was still noticeable.

 

I guess they're the biggest things for me really. It refreshed the series and brought some roots back to it what with M's office making a return, Moneypenny, and a new Q - who I love

 

I get it's not for everyone, but I absolutely loved it.

[Grazza]

The bullet went straight through him (more powerful weapon). When she comes to collect him before he meets Mallory for the first time in M's office, Eve sort of apologises and Bond says something along the lines of "oh don't worry, it was just a couple of ribs, some of the less vital organs..."

 

I'm sure he was just joking though. The writers must have had a reasonable explanation in their head - he can't have lost organs and ribs. I still think it probably just scuffed his shoulder, but that was still enough to knock him back.

 

By the way, your signature by @Eddage is fantastic! Think I've seen it before, but it really is great.

 

Second to that was the little things like 'shaken not stirred' 'Bond... James Bond', though they were there, they weren't really there - and I welcomed that in this film. There wasn't a big deal made of him saying it, but it was still noticeable.

 

I guess they're the biggest things for me really. It refreshed the series and brought some roots back to it what with M's office making a return, Moneypenny, and a new Q - who I love

 

Yes, I loved the bit where she shook the cocktail and he just said "Perfect..." Nice and subtle. Q was great too, and Moneypenny had a good rapport with Bond/Craig.

 

In all honesty, there were no actual bits I disliked! I just felt I had spent too much time watching it overall.

[Coolness Bears]

When Silva escaped (by the way, did this film remind anyone else of Batman: the Dark Knight?)

 

It also reminded me of Silence of the Lambs, X-men 2 and The Avengers. :p

[welsh_gamer]

 

[nekunando]

I'm extremely late to the party but I finally watched Skyfall last night on ITV 2

 

I've been meaning to sit down and watch it for ages, and was actually looking forward to it given all the positivity about it after release, but I came away pretty disappointed. I didn't find it particularly compelling and it didn't really draw me in

 

Admittedly, I missed the first couple of minutes due to finishing off an attempt at one of the latter levels of Captain Toad but I still managed to tune in well before Adele arrived. There were also far too many breaks throughout that meant getting absorbed in the action and the story was difficult. It has made me think that I'll have to watch it again properly at some point.. but I'm still not convinced that I'll be blown away

 

Something about it all just didn't feel quite right and the moment Bond returned to his old home and a man, by the name of Kincade, emerged from the shadows, I felt like I was watching Harry Potter or something