Skyfall [2012]
Directed by: Sam Mendes
Written by: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan
Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Ralph Fiennes, Ola Rapace, Albert Finney, Bérénice Marlohe, Rory Kinnear, Helen McCrory
Skyfall is The Dark Knight of the Bond franchise. Is it the best out of 23 films? That’s something that entirely depends on one’s own taste and personal appreciation for the series.
What is evident and undeniable, though, is that each entry in the Daniel Craig era goes deeper into Bond’s psyche and turns darker with each chapter. You’ll be able to notice striking similarities between Nolan’s masterpiece and Sam Mendes’ contribution to the 007 canon.
Many of the same themes are explored in both of these anticipated actioners, not to mention an important event from James Bond’s past that would most definitely make him relate to Bruce Wayne.
I don’t mean to sound like a broken record here, since it’s the same thing I pointed out in my Looper review a couple weeks ago, but the trailer promised much more action than it delivered. One comes to expect this sort of thing from a Bond movie. Thrilling action set-pieces are as integral to the saga as the suits, the martini (shaken, not stirred), the babes and the gadgets.
When the action comes, however, it’s mind-blowing. For a director who specializes in poignant dramas about domestic life and conformity, Mendes sure knows how to handle high-octane action sequences. A chase through some Turkish streets and rooftops, as well as the final shootout at the Bond manor, the titular Skyfall, are real highlights.
Everything that usually works within films about the agent with a license to kill, works here. The visuals and the locales are pretty, the girls are prettier, the villain is delightfully crazy. Oscar-winning Spaniard, Javier Bardem, is majorly creepy as baddie Raoul Silva. He skillfully alternates between over-the-top and restrained, nicely mirroring the history of Bond villains to this point.
Blond Bond Daniel Craig further proves he was a wise casting choice and Judi Dench receives a well-deserved extension on her screen time as M, which she makes expert use of, obviously. Ben Whishaw of Perfume fame (his performance in that is one of the most underrated ever, in my opinion) is a welcome addition to the cast as the geeky, charismatic Q. Naomie Harris and Ralph Fiennes are, as well, noteworthy.
Glad you enjoyed the film Fernando. I really dug it and it has gone straight into my Top Ten films of the year. Whether it can maintain it’s lofty ranking remains to be seen but it’s definitely one of my favourite Bonds yet – I’ve been to see it twice at the cinema!
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It’s cool that it’s now in your top 10 of the year so far. It’s in mine as well. I wouldn’t be too mad if other films bumped it off, though. There are still many great movies to look forward to. Skyfall is very good, though, and I’d love a second viewing soon.
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This is one of those times when a movie is released in Mexico before the U.S. We’re comparatively one the last countries to get it. Japan and the Dominican Republic must wait until December!
Glad you enjoyed the film, along with everyone else it seems. I’ve heard virtually nothing negative about it. Great review!
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Thanks!
Yes. We got a little bit lucky. Sometimes we get British films before you do, but I’m glad it’s opening there in a few days,. Sucks for Japan and the Dominican Republic, haha!
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Just saw this and LOVED it! Posted my review. 🙂
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That’s great! Glad you loved it. Will check out your review as soon as I can.
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Will see the film this coming Saturday on IMAX. Thanks, Fernando.
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I bet it’ll look great in IMAX, especially the Shanghai scenes. Hope you enjoy it!
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Great review, I can’t wait to see Skyfall.
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Thanks. You should check it out ASAP. It’s awesome.
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Great review Fernando, spot on. Casino Royale is better than Skyfall, but after the shambles of Quantum it’s good to know Bond is back on track.
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Thank you, Andy! It sure is a nice return to form for Bond.
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Damn it! You saw AND reviewed this before anyone in the US got a chance. 😦 I’m really looking forward to this one. My entire family is going to see it for my mother’s birthday–the same day it hits theaters over here. We haven’t done a family trip to the movies for over 5 years, so we’re all pretty excited, I think.
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Haha, hope you guys have fun!
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Oh one question: is there a gun barrel sequence in Skyfall? I was really disappointed when it was omitted in QoS.
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I guess you’ll have to wait and see 😉
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Friday needs to get here a lot faster…
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Hope the week goes by fast for you (for me too, actually, haha)
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Why you too? You already saw it!!!
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The similarities with the Batman movies were very obvious, but this is one of my favorite Bond movies and probably also in my favorites this year.
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It’s pretty cool. It’s also in my Top 10 but I hope there are enough great movies coming my way in these last two months.
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Nice one, Fernando. I’m avoiding reading reviews until after but once again I LOVE that poster you put up there.
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Thanks. It’s pretty awesome, huh?
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Haha, I know, but this week has been kinda stressful and I haven’t slept all that well. My day off is Saturday so I’m very much looking forward to it.
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Great write-up Fernando. It was a good flick but it had faults for me. I wasn’t entirely keen on the behaviour of Bardem’s character. He made some really silly mistakes. Bardem’s performance, however, was great.
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Thank you, Mark. And really, when is Bardem not great? Haha, he’s constantly giving amazing performances.
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Glad you liked it. I have a feeling that this will be a hit with Bond fans. This is actually the first Bond film that I’ve ever watched and I was a little disappointed.
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Thanks. And I’m sorry to hear that.
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I agree that Skyfall is like TDK in Bond films – some of the shots of Silva were identical to those of Joker, even! I didn’t notice that there was less action than in the trailer, actually – I really ejoyed the London chase after Silva, but the 3rd act of the movie bored me a little.
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I caught many similarities between TDK and Skyfall but I didn’t notice what you say about the Silva shots. Maybe I need to see it again! 😉 But yes, I felt a lack of action and thought the film lagged a bit in the middle.
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I just want to go see it again!
I don’t rank it as highly as Casino, but it comes very close, and now sits in my top five Bond films. Great review Fernando!
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Thanks. I want to see it again too! I don’t know how it fares against Casino, since it’s been a really long time since I watched that one, but I loved both.
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I just saw this a few hours ago, and I just finished my review. Thanks for not spoiling any of it. It’s so hard not to do that kind of disservice.
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You’re welcome 🙂 Looking forward to reading your take on it 😉
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I can’t wait for my review to go up. I LOVE hearing what you guys (especially you, you often point out some interesting things) think of what I write. 😀
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Thanks! I’ll definitely check it out as soon as I have the chance.
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Great review man, I thought Skyfall was great, thoroughly enjoyed it. One of the best looking Bond films without a doubt and certainly up there among the best of all for me.
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Thanks, Chris! Glad you liked it. It’s definitely very good.
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I’ve not been a big fan of Bond films in the past but I’m starting to love the newer entries in the franchise. I love the darker direction each film is taking and I think Daniel Craig brings something new to the role. Whats your favourite Bond? Check out some of our entries in the 31 Days of Oscar Blogathon here http://becarefulyourhand.blogspot.co.uk/ Cheers
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I haven’t seen many Bond films, actually. Just the last 4, so I have to say my favorite Bond is Daniel Craig. And yeah, I’ll be sure to check out your blog. Thanks!
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