19 replies to this topic

[FOX MULDER]

I've not seen the film yet, but the response to Skyfall has been absolutely phenomenal. Reminds me of the 'buzz' created by films like Goldfinger and Thunderball back the swinging' 60s. There's even talk of an Oscar. I know it's the 50th anniversary, but I've got to say I'm a little surprised.

Enjoy it, guys. We're in Bond heaven right now.

Did you honestly expect this?

[Redneck007]

I'm thrilled as well. The only thing that stinks is the wait to see it. But it is appropriate that the UK gets it before we do here in the USA.
This is the most anticipation I have had to see a Bond film.

[DamnCoffee]

I'm absoloutely thrilled. I'm more than happy that it's gotten such high praise. After Quantum of Solace, which I admit, wasn't that good compared to Casino Royale, I really thought this would be make or break. 2 days and counting!

[Armand Fancypants]

Did you honestly expect this?

Yes.

For the first time in the franchise's history they've assembled top-end talent across the board. I wouldn't say I'd expected it, but I'm not overly surprised.

Edited by Armand Fancypants, 24 October 2012 - 01:40 PM.

[thecasinoroyale]

I am MORE than pleased about the response by fans and critis in the industry about 'Skyfall' - after the doubts after 'Quantum Of Solace' which simply shows mis-direction was one of the causes of it not working, with the right love, care and handling, James Bond still, after 50 years, is iconic in cinema and culture, and thank god people have seen that this year!

Oscar talk is scary, but from what I've heard not that impossible to imagine for the crew and cast which would be brilliant!

I'm very proud to be a Bond fan, and equally proud of what 'Skyfall' promises us when it opens. I can't wait for this, and for the future because I think it's going to be very promising...

[Loomis]

Reminds me of the 'buzz' created by films like Goldfinger and Thunderball back the swinging' 60s.

Well, I dunno about that. I wasn't there.

Still, it certainly feels like 2006 again. I well remember the huge excitement and unprecedented critical raves for CASINO ROYALE (as I'm sure we all do), and this feels like a second helping of that. It's as though the Craig era has rebooted the franchise and raised the bar in terms of quality not once but twice.

CASINO ROYALE wasn't just a great Bond film or a great comeback outing for the series - it was also culturally "important" (or seemed that way). It was a must-see even for those who weren't interested in Bond, and one of the best films of its year. It sorta stood alone and spoke for itself, rather like THE DARK KNIGHT was a "must" even for non-Batfans. All of which also seems true of SKYFALL.

But maybe not to quite the same extent as with CASINO ROYALE. We'll have to see whether SKYFALL has "legs", as they say in Hollywood - critical legs, that is (it seems certain to be a massive moneyspinner). Yes, the early SKYFALL reviews are raves, but will people still be raving about it in a few weeks? Will the film truly strike a chord with people the way CASINO ROYALE did, or will the next round of reviews be less generous? Will SKYFALL lose its fizz pretty quickly, or are we genuinely looking at the artistic high watermark of Bond, the GODFATHER PART II to CASINO ROYALE's GODFATHER? We'll have to wait and see.

[Harmsway]

Loomis FTW.

[Saltzman]

I've not seen the film yet, but the response to Skyfall has been absolutely phenomenal. Reminds me of the 'buzz' created by films like Goldfinger and Thunderball back the swinging' 60s.

As good as the vibe for Skyfall is it can never reach the dizzying heights set by GF and TB. Those 2 were game changers which altered, not only the cinematic landscape, but televisions as well with its copy cat spy formula and knock-off Bond movies from 64 to 67. When film tie-in merchandise didn't exist, these 2 movies filled the shelves with toys, games and the like. I don't really see the same mania and stampede to copy and buy in to "this" Bond quite like the Sixties, especially after the awkward reception that QoS got. It feels more like the buzz that surrounded TSWLM or GE than the Bondmania of the Sixties. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that Skyfall is getting applause from the critics and earlt previews, but it's far too early to suggest that Skyfall will be as big as GF and TB. Maybe if they had to keep the cinemas open 24/7 with long queues around the block week after week, we might be talking about getting close to what Bondmania achieved... until then I'd just view this 007 adventure as a surprise hit. Let's see how the US market responds to Skyfall first after 2 solid weeks of ticket sales. If it surpasses The Advengers then you might well have a valid point.

[marktmurphy]

But maybe not to quite the same extent as with CASINO ROYALE. We'll have to see whether SKYFALL has "legs", as they say in Hollywood - critical legs, that is (it seems certain to be a massive moneyspinner). Yes, the early SKYFALL reviews are raves, but will people still be raving about it in a few weeks? Will the film truly strike a chord with people the way CASINO ROYALE did, or will the next round of reviews be less generous? Will SKYFALL lose its fizz pretty quickly, or are we genuinely looking at the artistic high watermark of Bond, the GODFATHER PART II to CASINO ROYALE's GODFATHER? We'll have to wait and see.

Do films do that? I'm not sure they hang around at the cinema long enough to be reappraised, do they?

[SecretAgentFan]

I agree. These days a movie has a very short life span in the cinema and not a lot of time to really gain its status as something special, with the onslaught of new films arriving week after week. It´s either a blockbuster or it isn´t.

And, of course, with Bond being a commodity and not a novelty anymore, those heights of Bondmania during the early 60´s just cannot be reached anymore.

[Dustin]

It has become much more difficult for a 'mere film' to put a stamp on the medium the way earlier productions did. The whole blockbuster phenomenon today has largely disappeared, dissolved into the various stages of the value chain. The event character is still huge, but fades so much quicker than twenty, thirty years ago. The boost of a success mainly stems from the next-big-thing pushing on the stage.

[Loomis]

Well, SKYFALL will have a longer life on the theatrical circuit than most films. Being the new Bond outing, it'll be playing in most British cinemas right through to January, I imagine.

But, yeah, point taken that the whole cycle has been speeded up.

[elizabeth]

I'm wicked excited to see how SKYFALL's going to turn out. Hopefully, all this hype will be worth it.

[marktmurphy]

I'm curious which films you're thinking of that have altered in their perception whilst at the cinema?

[Redneck007]

I imagine 10 years from now we will be streaming the new Bond directly to our homes on release day.

[Dustin]

I imagine 10 years from now we will be streaming the new Bond directly to our homes on release day.

Could well be. Only we probably get them to our mobiles and laptop/mindpads/visual-interfaces as well. And we're probably booked for the production three years in advance by advance fee.

[Loomis]

I'm curious which films you're thinking of that have altered in their perception whilst at the cinema?

None. I was simply trying to say that it's still (slightly) too early to say how much of a critical/cultural impact SKYFALL has had. After all, it hasn't even been screened to a paying audience yet (or at least I don't think it has).

[Double Naught spy]

It seems that the 007 films always generate a certain amout of buzz (at least here in the USA) with televised segments on celebrity-themed programs like Entertainment Tonight and 'soft-news' shows like NBC's Today Show leading up to there release. However, no matter how much PR buzz that exists prior to a new 007 film that is orchestrated, it cannot counteract the negative reviews (poor script, weak plot, Bond actor 'sleep-walking through the role, etc) or poor word-of-mouth.

However, when a 007 film meets (and exceeds) the high-level expectations that the general audience and critics have for a James Bond adventure, then it is truly a moment for all of us die-hard fans to bask in. And, from what I've read of the reviews, SKYFALL does just that. Which means that the level of PR buzz is validated by the critics' praise (and soon the exit interviews by movie-goers, ticket sales, etc.) It really does sound as if the 'stars are all aligned' when it comes to SKYFALL.

So to my fellow 007 fans - enjoy this moment for all it's worth. They are truly few and far between. And take pleasure in the fact that, in the ensuing weeks, when you overhear someone (co-worker, random person, etc) telling their friend that he or she "must see this movie", you may be watching the 'birth' of the latest die-hard 007 fan. Who knows? Perhaps SKYFALL will pique their curosity and they will go out an buy a Fleming novel or watch the earlier 22 films. In fact, you might be inadvertanly listening to the next person to join this forum! (I know that's how it was for me, and I'd be willing to bet that everyone reading this had a similar experience with a 007 film or novel.) For every one of these 'great' 007 films, more and more people will join our ranks. And, having a 'great' film that might end up getting others to experience the joy and pleasure that we all get from the literary and celluloid 'World of James Bond' is reason for all of us to celebrate!

Now, if they'd just put that damn gunbarrel logo at the beginning of the movie.... but that's an entirely different Thread Topic, isn't it? LOL!

[Iceskater101]

I didn't expect this much buzz, but I really love it. It is making me more hyped to see this film.

[triviachamp]

I'm quite surprised at the positive reaction to this film as I had TWINE vibes (Full Disclosure: I hated it the moment I saw it). Makes me want to see it for myself. There haven't been too many "SF sucks because it isn't formulaic enough" which is interesting.

I doubt this will reach GF or TB heights since those days are far behind Bond. That said SF might beat QOS's US opening weekend and might break the $200 million barrier. Those I think are possible.