363 replies to this topic

[tdalton]

tdalton: Given how often you and I are on the same page (my top two are also QOS and LTK, with CR and TLD close behind), I can say with confidence that Skyfall won't top the other Craigs in your estimation -- but you will absolutely love the finale, starting from when Bond decides to "get ahead of" the villain once and for all, all the way through to the credits. Don't blame you for staying away from it on opening weekend, though, given the state of the movie theater experience nowadays.

I don't really see it topping Quantum of Solace either. From the little I know about it, it seems to be less of the kind of Bond film that I would prefer to watch when compared to Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace or either of the two Dalton films. I know this time around is certainly the least enthusiastic I've been for a Bond film's release since I started following the franchise.

Edited by tdalton, 13 November 2012 - 07:15 AM.

[seawolfnyy]

Loved Skfall, but it's still Casino Royale for me.

[Double-Oh Agent]

I agree. Skyfall's good, but Casino Royale is still #1 for me.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

Still CR although SF is a vast improvement over QOS.

I think CR will remain my favorite of Craig's Bond films simply because it has the strongest and closest tie to Fleming's literary work.

[RMc2]

SkyFall's brilliant but Casino Royale pips it to the post.

Though it's only because of petty little quibbles that SF falls down for me: its atmosphere is occasionally too sedate (*ahem* thomas newman *ahem*) and some of the dialogue isn't as good as it thinks it is...plus Naomie Harris is awkward.

Edited by RMc, 22 November 2012 - 05:51 PM.

[sharpshooter]

1. Skyfall
2. Casino Royale
3. Quantum of Solace

Skyfall has all the Bond elements but feels very fresh. The pacing is very good. It has the best villain of the three films and the best soundtrack. Visually, it looks gorgeous. Thank you, Mr Deakins. I enjoyed the humour and slightly lighter touch, while still having the grit. Further viewings will only cement this view.

[Hockey Mask]

1. Skyfall
2. Casino Royale
3. Quantum of Solace

Skyfall has all the Bond elements but feels very fresh. The pacing is very good. It has the best villain of the three films and the best soundtrack. Visually, it looks gorgeous. Thank you, Mr Deakins. I enjoyed the humour and slightly lighter touch, while still having the grit. Further viewings will only cement this view.

Yep.

[tdalton]

Having now seen the "Craig trilogy":

• Quantum of Solace
• Casino Royale
• Skyfall

[Double-0-Seven]

What did you think then, tdalton? From seeing your posts around it seems you put off on seeing Skyfall for a while. Even though you find it to be the weakest of the three, did you still enjoy it?

[tdalton]

What did you think then, tdalton? From seeing your posts around it seems you put off on seeing Skyfall for a while. Even though you find it to be the weakest of the three, did you still enjoy it?

I'm not sure what my opinion on Skyfall is at the moment, to be honest. I know that I left the theater much more disappointed in it than I did for either Casino Royale or Quantum of Solace, both of which I left the theater wanting to turn right back around and go back in to see it again. I'm going to need another viewing once the Blu-ray arrives to really solidify an opinion on it, but upon a first viewing, I don't understand what the fuss is about.

[Double-0-Seven]

It's funny how it works sometimes, because I felt that way when I left the theater after Quantum of Solace. It was the first time I came out of a Bond film not going "Wow! That was the best Bond ever!" or feeling all that anxious to see it again. I've come to like it more now, but at the time I was incredibly disappointed. Naturally, I'm sure you feel exactly the opposite considering it's your favorite of the three so far. I told people it was good and to go see it, but in no way did I rave to people about it being the best like I did for Casino Royale and earlier Die Another Day (I was ten years old for Die Another Day).

To me, Skyfall was the perfect blend of classic Bond elements with the modern direction of the Craig films. It's perhaps a little overhyped, but I expected that, namely with the 50th and it being the first film in four years. My excitement was high for many reasons, and I was not let down. I try to keep low expectations even with hype for fear I'll be disappointed. It satisfied the feeling I had longed for after watching Quantum of Solace.

I honestly felt it was the closest thing I'd ever get to see to seeing a new Connery Bond film on the screen - less of an emphasis on action, more on story, great dialogue and a memorable villain. The hype just made me feel like it's Bond mania, which is something I never thought I'd get to experience. It's a good feeling, and I think that really added to my enjoyment of the film.

Everyone likes something different though. I was interested to see how you thought it fared, especially since it's radically different to Quantum of Solace.

[tdalton]

There were a lot of things that I did enjoy about it, so I can't really say that I disliked the film, but there's so much potential there that I felt was wasted that it comes across as more disappointing than anything else. I thought that Craig, Marlohe, and Fiennes were outstanding, and I wanted to see much more of the latter two than what we got. There were certain story elements that it felt like were discarded far too early because they were trying to do too much within the story of the film, and as a result, a lot of the interesting plot angles and devices didn't feel nearly as developed as they should have. While that could be a criticism of QOS as well, the plot to that film wasn't necessarily as important as Bond's own character arc, which I thought was the main driving force behind the film, whereas in SF it's basically a plot device that they throw away before the film is even half over.

[jamie00007]

Skyfall over Casino by a hair. CR is still one of the very best Bond films, but Skyfall had a little of that Fleming surrealism (ie the Komodo dragons, and Silva could have easily been one of Fleming's grotesques) and a lot more great lines of dialog (not that CR was wanting in that department) that just puts it over the top. It took itself a little less seriously whilst retaining the depth and grit and great acting of Casino Royale. I agree with Double-0-Seven above, it really feels to me like the closest thing to a modern Connery film. Also, Craig just totally owned the role in like no other Bond since Connery in Goldfinger. He was fantastic in Casino, but the slightly older, old pro Bond suits Craig more than the younger reckless Bond.

[Thevan7F]

I like them all. Daniel Craig my third favourite Bond.

[sharpshooter]

Yep.

Glad you agree. I feel like giving Silva and Bardem praise. His first scene is excellent on its own, and he has a presence even when we don’t see him - especially in the build up to his reveal. Severine is scared to talk about him. He hacks M’s computer and leaves taunts. He turns on the gas in MI6, causing an explosion and deaths. He knows they will relocate to the underground, thus prepares his computer virus for Q which releases him from his cell – where he leaves yet another taunt. And of course revealing MI6 agent covers, getting further people killed.

[Belmont]

Skyfall gets my vote. Just the perfect blend of the following elements:

- Gorgeous cinematography
- A return to using exotic and/or enticing or interesting locations (Quantum's 2nd biggest failing)
- Great performances, including the best villain the series has seen since the mid-90s.
- Measured, natural pacing
- A bit of a lighter touch more in line with the balance of Casino Royale
- Exciting, unique and well shot action sequences (Quantum's biggest failing)
- A terrific title song

The only complaint I have with the film, and it's been like this for each viewing, is the assault on Skyfall goes on too long. After the first wave of bad guys gets eliminated, we get the second wave, but nothing particularly unique happens except for Silva being around. All of the explosions and squibs going off in the house just feel really redundant during "round 2" with Silva.

Edited by Belmont, 01 December 2012 - 05:59 PM.

[seawolfnyy]

He was fantastic in Casino, but the slightly older, old pro Bond suits Craig more than the younger reckless Bond.

I think they both work well. It's interesting because we've actually seen Bond age in this era and also "grow up." In the previous 20 films, we never really had any character growth with Bond. He just seemed to be at the center piece of every film while not learning from anything. Between CR, QoS and SF we get to see what shapes Bond, how he grows. I think Craig has taken the role and made it his own and has grown along with it.

[The Shark]

He was fantastic in Casino, but the slightly older, old pro Bond suits Craig more than the younger reckless Bond.

Agreed. Rookie manchild Bond of CASINO ROYALE was never believable to begin with, but Craig's characterisation in SKYFALL puts the final nail in that coffin.

[glidrose]

He was fantastic in Casino, but the slightly older, old pro Bond suits Craig more than the younger reckless Bond.

Agreed. Rookie manchild Bond of CASINO ROYALE was never believable to begin with, but Craig's characterisation in SKYFALL puts the final nail in that coffin.

Ah yes, I forgot that Bond was supposed to be a rookie in CR. For all the trouble they took with it as far as I'm concerned, remove one line of dialogue and do something about this new Felix Leiter, then CR follows Die Another Day and every preceding Bond film.

[SecretAgentFan]

My top 3 (hah, as if there were more...):

1. SKYFALL
2. CASINO ROYALE
3. QUANTUM OF SOLACE

[glidrose]

1. CR

2. SF

3. QoS

[Iceskater101]

Daniel Craig is such a good bond. I love Skyfall though, I mean I was so surprised it was a very very good Bond movie.

[Silver_toe]

Mine are:

!. Casino Royale

2. Skyfall

3. Quantum of Solace

 

To me, Casino Royale is a wonderful Bond film. It has a great plot, great villian and great Bond girl and great action scenes.I love the way it shows the character development into the classic Bond. I love the opening credits and the song is one of the better recent Bond songs. It is my second favourite film (after Goldfinger).

 

Although I enjoyed Skyfall quite a bit, I thought they hammered the theme of "M as mother" much too hard and I was disappointed that the Bond girl had such a small part (they gave her an interesting background and hardly used her). I did like Javier Barden a lot as a villian but his mommy fixation on M was badly overstated.(I love Judy Dench as an actress but M should be used sparingly.)  I also thought the plot was somewhat disjointed. I do like Adele's "Skyfall", it reminds me of the classic Bond songs.

 

Like many other people, I really disliked the quick cut editing style of Quantum of Solace (especially in the car chase) and the stinker of an opening song. Dominic Green was a weak villian too (the concept was interesting of a villian who masquerades as an environmentalist who is secretly buying up water rights but it fell rather flat.) Camille was OK.

Edited by Silver_toe, 29 January 2013 - 08:44 PM.

[00 Brosnan]

While it was Casino Royale, SkyFall is just too Bond, too Daniel Craig.

 

I was hesitant to say goodbye to Brosnan (my generation's Bond) since I believed he had a fifth film in him had EON toned back FYEO-style. However, Casino Royale was instantly in my Top 5 Bond films when I saw it. Craig might not have looked like the traditional Bond (and I had my doubts, though not as vocal as some) or spouted the same, admittedly tired lines, but he brought raw character to.....the character. The whole film as well as the cast were very well presented.

 

On to Quantum of Solace. A decent action film, not so much a great Bond film in my opinion. A little bit on the short side and I'm sure as others have mentioned, it just feels rushed, not well put together.

 

SkyFall. I had been waiting for this film for years, like everybody here I'm sure. I think the film truly lives up to it's status as the "most-successful Bond film to date." It's everything I was hoping for for Craig's third outing, forgetting the series 50th anniversary. I wanted it to be raw like CR, but slightly more light-hearted, a little more traditional Bond. I was hoping for the return of Q and Moneypenny, check, check. The Aston Martin scenes, great. Old-school Bond villain, check. Fantastic film, Craig is my new favorite James Bond.

Edited by 00 Brosnan, 12 February 2013 - 04:17 AM.

[Lucky]

1. Casino Royale

2. Skyfall

3. Quantum of Solace

[iexpectu2die]

For a while it looked like Skyfall might have usurped Casino Royale for me, but now that the dust has settled, I can't help but feel that Skyfall's mass hype is a result of the 50th anniversary milestone as-well as the quality of the film itself. I do find Skyfall a tad overblown, a bit more subtlety here and there would elevate it to firm favourite. Re-watching Casino Royale, I can't fault it's sheer class, and indeed balls (literally, in the case of the torture scene). The b&w opening, the parkour chase, the tense casino scenes and above all, Craig's performance, are all fantastic. Casino Royale is the film that reinvented the wheel and allowed Skyfall to exist.

[DamnCoffee]

You know something, I've tried to avoid the post Bond vibe (The latest is my favourite etc..), but I have to say that 'Skyfall' is definitely up there with my top 5 Bond films.  In fact. it's a constant struggle between 'Skyfall' and 'From Russia With Love'. Skyfall is the best thing to happen to the franchise since 2006. I think it should be seen more of a film and not a Bond film. It's fantastic. I've watched it a dozen times now, and never have I gotten bored. The entire thing is perfectly paced, which is one of Casino Royale's greatest flaws. (The middle section of the film is the main story, whats around it is just unnecessary padding)

 

Really hoping that Bond 24 doesn't mess up somehow, because after Skyfall's massive success the Bond series is fully back on form. 

 

 

 

 

Oh, Skyfall is my favourite Craig Bond, by the way.

[AgenttiNollaNollaSeitsemän]

Skyfall is definetely my favourite, followed by Casino Royale and then Quantum of Solace. Skyfall is in my opinion greatest Bond film since the days of OHMSS, and before that Casino Royale hold that place. We're having another golden age in our hands, folks!

[Iceskater101]

This is a golden age, I mean these Daniel Craig films are rather excellent and I like that Skyfall did so well because now we can gather more Bond fans!

[Mallory]

Watched all three back to back today. Has to be Skyfall