350 replies to this topic

[Shot Your Bolt]

We get more backstory on Bond then we've ever gotten in a Bond film, and you feel he's pushed to the side.

Because it's not about Bond vs Silvia. It's about Silvia vs M. Bond is the simply the bodyguard, the loyal lapdog. It's not his story anymore.

And Bond was suppose to prove how relevant he still is, that climax does a poor job of doing it. He had ONE objective, protecting M from Silvia and his goons, and he failed.

[SolidWaffle]

One of the bigger problems was the unmasking of British agents by Silvia that never comes to anything — it's literally dispensed with in a single shot. Seemed like a big deal in the first half of the movie, then it's completely forgotten about.

It's purpose is to set the plot in motion, after that it's secondary. Of course if you want an in-universe explanation, then they retrieved it after they stormed Silva's island.

It's a machuffin to the viewers, but also within the film itself - it gave us some good action (Shanghai and Macau - can't get over how pretty these parts were), and it let Silva set his plan in motion.

[x007AceOfSpades]

After seeing it the second time today and in IMAX my opinion has changed a little bit.

I LOVED IT. I wouldn't call it Best Bond film, but It certainly is a damn good one. For me, It's tied with Casino Royale. The only thing I really wish was improved on, was Silva. I didn't find him menacing at all, but it's clear he was driven by revenge to Kill M and Bond and anyone that get's in his way. I think a fight scene with Bond and Silva would've been great.

I thought the Lodge shootout was amazing, definitely my favorite action sequence from a Bond Film.

The cinematography in the film is breathtaking. I think Mendes and Deakins just set a standard on how to shoot some damn good edge-of-seat action scenes. Thomas Newman's score is amazing especially with the IMAX sound. The editing and pacing was perfect. (Take That Marc Foster and co.!)

Besides the villain, which I wish was improved on, there isn't much I can say that is bad.

I don't think Craig is going to usurp Connery (for now), Both are good for their time, but Craig in my opinion, is the second-best James Bond. This is Judi Dench's best performance as 'M' yet, although it's not award worthy IMO. I also very much liked the character of Kincade, very well played by Albert Finney.

New score: 5/5!

[A Kristatos]

Just a short review for now. Skyfall is another stellar entry into the James Bond library, and is a terrific movie for those of us who grew up on the franchise. When the producers said they would set out to make a movie with the feel of the classic Bonds, I was anxious to see how they would be able to pull that off while applying that formula in a modern world. After Casino Royale, I had no doubt this could be done.

Skyfall works on so many levels, most of which give it that classic feel. First, coming off the great (on contrary to what many believe) but fast paced Quantum Of Solace, Skyfall allows each and every scene to develop slowly and naturally, thanks to the great direction of Sam Mendes. I've noticed a fair number of posters here equate this as "boring" and "too slow", but in order to make a film that captures the slow build-up of Bond classics such as From Russia With Love, Mendes wisely allows this film to breathe, thereby building the suspense. Something tells me that younger viewers may not quite understand what suspense is, especially in an era where the quantity of explosions and car chases are more important than the quality of a movie. Fortunately, I think there are plenty of younger Bond fans that will appreciate this film in spite of what today's audiences like.

Skyfall features easily one of the top 3 Bond villians of all time in Javier Bardem's Raul Silva. This guy is an absolute madman in the lengths he goes after Bond and MI6! He's shrewd and knows how to outsmart Bond at every turn, at least until the end. Another former MI6 agent that was corrupted at one point, one almost feels sorry for him, but that's what makes him so memorable.

Skyfall features some of the best cinematography of the entire series. Perhaps not the most picturesque locations ever seen, but the producers capture the locales in a superior manner. Add in more conventional camera work (i.e.: no motion sickness jerky camera movement) and viewers should have no trouble following what is going on the screen, helped again by the slower moving plot. This was a common complaint from viewers who saw Quantum Of Solace, but I don't see anyone having trouble following this film.

The Bond girls are a mixed bag for me as Berenice Marlohe's Severine garners very little screen time, and is hidden in so much makeup, one cannot really detect her natural looks on screen. That said, she does serve to advance the plot, which is more than can be said of some of the Bond girls in earlier films, though she will rank relatively low on my list of the best Bond girls. Naomie Harris, on the other hand gets more screentime and attempts to help Bond initially as a field agent (at least until the end of the PTS). Knowing who she really is by the end of the movie, does this make her an official Bond girl? Regardless, she is charming and very nice looking, and hopefully will continue to be part of the series for a long time to come.

Skyfall serves as the final curtain call for Dame Judi Dench as M. This is far and away M's biggest role in a Bond film and the best performance by a long shot. I'm sure there will be some debate as to whether this was the best way to end her tenure with the series (I've grappled with this myself), but the way she exits certainly does enhance the significance of the very last scene of the film. Add to this the return of Q (played in a wonderfully geeky way by Ben Whishaw), and some good old fashioned gadgetry that most people will find very familiar, the setup for future Bond films has been masterfully put in place for many years to come.

Other aspects of the film that work are the PTS, the only major "traditional" Bond action set piece of the entire film. While certainly one of the longest PTS's in the series, it is riveting from beginning to end, unlike the TWINE and DAD PTS's which got boring pretty quickly. The end of the Skyfall PTS serves as terrific transition into probably the best title sequence since the Connery days. Not only is Daniel Kleinsman back in charge of it, this is his best work of the series, and actually feels more like a Maurice Binder opening, helped even more by one of the best Bond themes since Connery was Bond. Adele's Skyfall theme is a throw back to the Shirley Bassey/John Barry themes from the 60's, all the more enhanced coming off the unique but somewhat dreadful QOS theme. And Thomas Newman does a nice job for his first go around as Bond composer, penning a soundtrack that while modern and "Arnoldesque", at least doesn't drown out the action on the screen. It rather does a better job accompanying the action on the screen and is actually used sparingly in that there are many long stretches without any music. Sometimes less is more, and Newman does a good job in that department. Unfortunately, he did not write the Skyfall theme with Adele, and the best rendition of the Bond theme comes from one of David Arnold's cues from Quantum Of Solace. So if Newman is asked to return, I would like to see what he could do with the theme if asked to write it. Based on what he contributed to this film, he can have the job as long as the producers want him.

In short, Skyfall certainly has the feel of the early Connery classics, in that the writing allows each scene to slowly develop, and that the film has relatively little action outside of the PTS and the ending. And outside of the PTS, most of the action comes in short spurts and relies on good old fashion fight scenes and wit for Bond to accomplish his mission. Future Bond films can certainly take a more traditional route if they like. But hopefully they retain the more gritty style that Daniel Craig has brought to the screen, while making him one of the best Bonds of all time.

Score: 4 stars out of 4

Edited by A Kristatos, 11 November 2012 - 06:12 AM.

[Dustin]

We get more backstory on Bond then we've ever gotten in a Bond film, and you feel he's pushed to the side.

Because it's not about Bond vs Silvia. It's about Silvia vs M. Bond is the simply the bodyguard, the loyal lapdog. It's not his story anymore.

And Bond was suppose to prove how relevant he still is, that climax does a poor job of doing it. He had ONE objective, protecting M from Silvia and his goons, and he failed.

Isn't this missing the point then that Silva and Bond are both basically the same kind? Both star agents of their M, both at the top of their game, both having been in the hand of the enemy and prepared to die before giving away M's secrets. Only Silva was a little less lucky then Bond. You can even see it in the scene when M explains her behaviour after having talked to Silva. There is a shot of Bond's face reminiscent of similar takes of Connery's. You can clearly see Bond has a moment of 'that guy could have been me' there.

[JazzyBond]

Saw Skyfall for the second time and my score has gone from an 85 to a strong 95! I love it! It's definitely in my top 3 and maybe has surpassed CR for me. I love the Macau scenes with Severine and the Komodo dragons. Berenice has some of the best acting I've seen for someone I've never heard of. Her facial expressions, her darting eyes to her bodyguards the way she visibly shutters from fear, excellent! Javier in the chapel at the end was unbelievable with his exchange with M. This movie has better pacing and doesn't seem to drag like CR at times did. This is really a treat for the 50th anniversary!!

Edited by JazzyBond, 11 November 2012 - 11:17 AM.

[Joyce Carrington]

Some hint as to what Bond had been doing there for two days? Something that explained why Bond became who he became? As much as I feared something really cheesy, I was kind of disappointed when it turned out there was nothing at all. Somehow the whole plan to come to Scotland didn’t seem necessary anymore. They could have hidden out anywhere. Why here? Why does it matter?

What was he doing in the tunnel for two days? Turning from a boy into a man (not a physical transformation - a mental one).

Why go to Scotland? Firstly Silva uses technology to gain an advantage, Skyfall Lodge barely even has electricity - no internet, no networks, not even a working telephone. Secondly, it's Bond's "home turf". He knows the geography and he knows about the tunnel which gives him an edge on Silva. It's also isolated, so there is less chance of collateral damage during the confrontation and it's easy to see anyone approaching.

I know, this is all very logical.

And yet, using this location almost roused the expectation that there was going to be some statement made about Bond - aside from the fact that he lost his parents at a young age. But there was nothing more than just that. I guess I'm looking for a development in Bonds character that happens in Scotland. Did this happen? Can someone point it out for me?

But, you're wondering about it now aren't you? Isn't it better to leave it a bit mysterious? Too much information about his childhood wouldn't be a good thing.

I agree. I didn't WANT to see his past dug up, but that was the expectation raised by moving the action to Scotland.

I DID want to see a development in his character, but I'm afraid it already happened much earlier in the film when Bond realised hé wanted to be back - whether his test results were good enough or not doesn't matter much. He wanted to be a double 0 again. Where was the moment in Scotland that proved he was ready? Was it him finding his wat back from the lake? How was that different from all the other awesome S*** he pulled earlier in the film?

[Hockey Mask]

Saw Skyfall for the second time and my score has gone from an 85 to a strong 95! I love it! It's definitely in my top 3 and maybe has surpassed CR for me. I love the Macau scenes with Severine and the Komodo dragons. Berenice has some of the best acting I've seen for someone I've never heard of. Her facial expressions, her darting eyes to her bodyguards the way she visibly shutters from fear, excellent! Javier in the chapel at the end was unbelievable with his exchange with M. This movie has better pacing and doesn't seem to drag like CR at times did. This is really a treat for the 50th anniversary!!

I think Berenice's acting may have been the best of any Boind girl. I wish we had more of her.

[Joyce Carrington]

And Bond's weakness, his 'missing a step'- that never quite paid off. His lack of fitness and inability to shoot straight etc. just disappeared- nothing was made of it at all.

That. Exactly. My one major complaint.

[Loomis]

And Bond's weakness, his 'missing a step'- that never quite paid off. His lack of fitness and inability to shoot straight etc. just disappeared- nothing was made of it at all.

That. Exactly. My one major complaint.

That's also one of my gripes about SKYFALL. And you can't have a supposedly ageing or unfit Bond when he's played by Craig, who's obviously still quite young (especially for those of us who remember Connery in NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, Moore in A VIEW TO A KILL and Brosnan in DIE ANOTHER DAY) and clearly in remarkable shape.

[Dustin]

And Bond's weakness, his 'missing a step'- that never quite paid off. His lack of fitness and inability to shoot straight etc. just disappeared- nothing was made of it at all.

That. Exactly. My one major complaint.

That's also one of my gripes about SKYFALL. And you can't have a supposedly ageing or unfit Bond when he's played by Craig, who's obviously still quite young (especially for those of us who remember Connery in NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, Moore in A VIEW TO A KILL and Brosnan in DIE ANOTHER DAY) and clearly in remarkable shape.

Well, the allusions of Bond supposedly being past it to me refer clearly to his mental and emotional setup, not his actual physical abilities. Though it is quite baffling how Mallory openly mentions the possibility of Bond ageing past his prime, never before heard of in Eon's series.

[Loomis]

Well, the allusions of Bond supposedly being past it to me refer clearly to his mental and emotional setup, not his actual physical abilities.

As I recall, Bond's physical abilities are also called into question. Remember the ROCKY BALBOA-esque scene in which he grunts his way through some chinups as his colleagues look on sceptically? And the moment when he's out of breath following his swim?

There's also a shot in one of the trailers, cut from the finished film, of Bond jogging in a London park, presumably in an effort to recapture his lost athleticism.

You just can't sell this vision of a physically rundown Bond with Craig because it simply isn't convincing. If Brosnan were still playing Bond, it might well work, but you only have to look at Craig (and SKYFALL goes out of its way to give the audience gratuitous shots of him barechested) to know that he's obviously in tremendous shape. You don't get to look like he does unless you are.

Also, I struggled to work out why the other characters in SKYFALL seemed to blame Bond's supposed loss of a step on his age, rather than on the obvious fact that he was recently shot and survived not only the bullet but also a fall from a great height.

[Dustin]

Also, I struggled to work out why the other characters in SKYFALL seemed to blame Bond's supposed loss of a step on his age, rather than on the obvious fact that he was recently shot and survived not only the bullet but also a fall from a great height.

Which in turn he might both have prevented if it hadn't been for his fifty years of secret service work right at the tip of the needle, where the angles dance on their day off and you are the first to notice when things come to a crunch.

No, it's true, that element is probably more a nod to the series in general and the long history of "James Bond". Closer scrutiny reveals disparity between role and actor here.

[Aisforauric]

well-staged climax where it's revealed that Bond is actually a Highland version of Bruce Wayne.

Completely different scenarios. Have you read the books? Nothing was "revealed" if you have read them. Even the circumstances of their deaths have nothing to do with murder. Bond comes from a very different background.

In chapter 39 of Jeffrey Deaver's 'Carte Blanche' it's heavily suggested that Andrew and Monique Bond may have been killed as part of the KGB's Operation Steel Cartridge and their deaths are disguised as a climbing accident......

Saw Skyfall for the second time and my score has gone from an 85 to a strong 95! I love it! It's definitely in my top 3 and maybe has surpassed CR for me. I love the Macau scenes with Severine and the Komodo dragons. Berenice has some of the best acting I've seen for someone I've never heard of. Her facial expressions, her darting eyes to her bodyguards the way she visibly shutters from fear, excellent! Javier in the chapel at the end was unbelievable with his exchange with M. This movie has better pacing and doesn't seem to drag like CR at times did. This is really a treat for the 50th anniversary!!

I think Berenice's acting may have been the best of any Boind girl. I wish we had more of her.

Couldn't agree more. I'm really, really hoping the Blu-ray will extend her scenes, whether Bond's in them or not.....

[Hockey Mask]

The first thing I thought once Skyfall began was how much Craig had aged in hte last four years. He still looks terrific but being a Bond spy is a young man's game because it requres falling 100' from a bridge and crashing your motorcycle so you can land on a speeding train. Just beacuse Bond isn't 60 doesn't mean he isn't old for the job. How many 40+ sports figures are there. Not many.

[DLibrasnow]

As CBNers are well aware I was scathing in my review of the 2008 monstrosity "Quantum of Solace". It essentially ended my love affair (ne obsession) with the James Bond movies in one fell swoop. Make no mistake, I still love many of the entries in the EON series, but I retreated from James Bond fandom almost entirely. As an example of the effect the movie has I have perhaps visited CBn about 20 times since 2008, whereas previously I had been visiting it at least daily.
As a result I went into "Skyfall" blind, in essence the theater ticket was a "blind buy". I had heard that Q was back and that Fiennes and Finney would make an appearance, but ignorant of any other details. Be warned this review will contain spoilers.
And what a welcome surprise the movie was. I was expecting a painful experience with another Carig misfire and instead came out reinvigorated and hopeful that the 007 series was back on the right track. I was delighted to see the DB5 return and especially to acknowledge the ejector seat and Craig using the machine guns behind the headlights. Gone were the in-your-face forced feeling nods to the past that appeared in "Die Another Day" the tributes in this movie felt natural and less heavy handed than in the Brosnan movie.
The end was also perfect and can be sewn effectively into the beginning of Dr No. We realized in this final scene that we had not just witnessed Bond's origin story, but also Moneypenny's. And the most exciting thing of all - the padded door was back. One of the things I had been missing since Dalton's era was the warm, aesthetically pleasing classic decor of M's office. I've always hate the glass and metal modern design of Dench's Ms office - I don't like it in everyday life either and would never allow that look in my office - and this perhaps was the most welcome sight of the entire movie. It was this reason that I didn't mind the gunbarrel at the end, it was essentially an exclamation mark to say "James Bond is back".
John Logan of course should be commended for his work on the screenplay. I noticed he was saddled with the hapless pair that gave us "Die Another Day" and were unable to pull together "QoS" but the less said about them the better. I assume that Logan did the lions share on this one. His script was tight and dramatic, the lines were natural instead of forced and he really created a development of the characters.
I also appreciated bringing back Q and the exchange between Bond and Q at the art gallery. It was good to see Bond receive practical, useful gadgets, instead of "exploding pens". Logan managed to set the groundwork for what will likely be a more respectful Bond-Q exchange in the future.
A review of "Skyfall" would also be incomplete without a mention of the "look" of the movie. The cinematography is incredible. In a word "wow".
Everyone involved in "Skyfall" should be proud of their work, this is perhaps the best James Bond movie in the series. It is certainly in my top five. It has also made me a believer again!

[byline]

John Logan of course should be commended for his work on the screenplay. I noticed he was saddled with the hapless pair that gave us "Die Another Day" and were unable to pull together "QoS" but the less said about them the better.

I'm glad that you enjoyed "Skyfall" and that it brought you back into the fold, but also feel saddened that "Quantum of Solace" was such a miserable experience for you. Unlike you, I like "Quantum of Solace" but feel it has significant flaws and was not the same joyful experience that "Casino Royale" (my first true love, Bond-wise) was for me. I will always feel that "Quantum of Solace" would have been so much better were it (1) not for the writers' strike, which resulted (as Craig has admitted) in them having to work with about half a script; and (2) cast and crew into such a tight timeline between the two films, by virtue of the fact that "Quantum" was intended to be a direct sequel. The same writers you fault were also teamed up in "Casino Royale" ... with the aid of Paul Haggis, who also assisted in the "Quantum" followup. All were hobbled by the looming deadline of the writers' strike, which they all had to adhere to. You could have had John Logan in on that one too, but I fear the result would have been much the same, given the stifling time constraints. The writers' strike didn't affect the editing, but I believe the tight time frame did. My sense is that no one really had a chance to take a deep breath and get grounded; it was more like a sprint to the finish line. Given all of that, my feeling has always been different from yours. I'm amazed that "Quantum" turned out as well as it did ... despite all its flaws.

[Dustin]

Glad you liked it, DLibrasnow. Welcome back!

[PPK_19]

Wow, didn't realise QOS alienated you so much from the Bond franchise DLibrasnow! It's a film that will always divide fans, that's for sure.

Glad there's no ambiguity about Skyfall though. It's all top-drawer.

[quantum of dcraig]

Ian Fleming would be proud. I really felt like I was watching a movie that Fleming penned the screenplay for. As someone who loved Casino Royale and felt Quantum, while not perfect, is very underrated, I went into this film with sky high expectations. This film exceeded them, particularly on my second viewing, which I feel is the mark of a truly great bond film when it gets better with subsequent viewings. This film boasts arguably the best cast of any bond film and has wonderful dialogue. While heavy on dialogue and character development, the film never drags as Sam Mendes does a great job directing maintaining a great balance of suspense and proper character development, another aspect that would make Ian Fleming proud. Also, I feel Adele has provided the series best theme since Sir Paul's epic live and let die and the title sequence is probably my favorite of any film. Kincade was also a wonderful character and one I would love to see return in some capacity. All in all, just a tremendous movie. Probably a slight notch below Casino Royale but better than Quantum. I'd just like to thank Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson for hiring Daniel Craig and pushing the series in this wonderful direction. Happy anniversary Mr. Bond here's to a great bond 24 and another 50 years!

[Shaun Forever]

Ian Fleming would be proud...............I thought the exact same thing at the end credits Quantum of Dcraig!


Excellent Bond film, very, very different, the final third caught me by surprise, probably the most unique and stand
out Bond film since 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service',

and speaking of which, Judi Dench has done a terrific service to the Bond francise, a true Bondian legend!


Very, very happy boy am I!

[NATO Sub]

And Bond's weakness, his 'missing a step'- that never quite paid off. His lack of fitness and inability to shoot straight etc. just disappeared- nothing was made of it at all.

That. Exactly. My one major complaint.

He failed to knock the whisky off Severine's head. Which had rather unfortunate consequences for her.

[NATO Sub]

I DID want to see a development in his character, but I'm afraid it already happened much earlier in the film when Bond realised hé wanted to be back - whether his test results were good enough or not doesn't matter much. He wanted to be a double 0 again. Where was the moment in Scotland that proved he was ready? Was it him finding his wat back from the lake? How was that different from all the other awesome S*** he pulled earlier in the film?

There was no moment in Scotland that proved he was ready.

What happened in Scotland was that he broke away from a surrogate mother figure (Dench's M) and laid his familial demons to rest, to finally became someone who will subsequently struggle to love anyone else (beyond carrying out the physical act).

The process that began with the death of Vesper in CR finished with the death of M, and the hard skin that allows him to keep doing his job is now fully formed.

That's how I read it anyway, maybe I saw a different film... I dunno?

[JimmyBond]

And Bond's weakness, his 'missing a step'- that never quite paid off. His lack of fitness and inability to shoot straight etc. just disappeared- nothing was made of it at all.

That. Exactly. My one major complaint.

He failed to knock the whisky off Severine's head. Which had rather unfortunate consequences for her.

Would have been a hard feat for anybody. As it was scotch on Severine's head.

[NATO Sub]

Would have been a hard feat for anybody. As it was scotch on Severine's head.

"Scotch" is called "whisky" in Scotland

That line actually grated a bit... people who like Single Malt Whisky like Macallan generally refer to it as "malt" or "single malt" not "scotch" in the UK at least. Certainly nobody raised in Scotland would use that term, unless they were selling a film to an international audience of course

[JimmyBond]

How about that, learn something new everyday, thanks

[x007AceOfSpades]

What was your reaction guys when bond activated the machine gun turrets from the Aston Martin in Skyfall? Curious as I haven't come across this yet.

Personally, I loved it, it put a huge smile on my face as I wasn't even expecting it. The Whole theater just erupted with cheers and applause when it happened.

[A Kristatos]

As CBNers are well aware I was scathing in my review of the 2008 monstrosity "Quantum of Solace". It essentially ended my love affair (ne obsession) with the James Bond movies in one fell swoop. Make no mistake, I still love many of the entries in the EON series, but I retreated from James Bond fandom almost entirely. As an example of the effect the movie has I have perhaps visited CBn about 20 times since 2008, whereas previously I had been visiting it at least daily.
As a result I went into "Skyfall" blind, in essence the theater ticket was a "blind buy". I had heard that Q was back and that Fiennes and Finney would make an appearance, but ignorant of any other details. Be warned this review will contain spoilers.
And what a welcome surprise the movie was. I was expecting a painful experience with another Carig misfire and instead came out reinvigorated and hopeful that the 007 series was back on the right track. I was delighted to see the DB5 return and especially to acknowledge the ejector seat and Craig using the machine guns behind the headlights. Gone were the in-your-face forced feeling nods to the past that appeared in "Die Another Day" the tributes in this movie felt natural and less heavy handed than in the Brosnan movie.
The end was also perfect and can be sewn effectively into the beginning of Dr No. We realized in this final scene that we had not just witnessed Bond's origin story, but also Moneypenny's. And the most exciting thing of all - the padded door was back. One of the things I had been missing since Dalton's era was the warm, aesthetically pleasing classic decor of M's office. I've always hate the glass and metal modern design of Dench's Ms office - I don't like it in everyday life either and would never allow that look in my office - and this perhaps was the most welcome sight of the entire movie. It was this reason that I didn't mind the gunbarrel at the end, it was essentially an exclamation mark to say "James Bond is back".
John Logan of course should be commended for his work on the screenplay. I noticed he was saddled with the hapless pair that gave us "Die Another Day" and were unable to pull together "QoS" but the less said about them the better. I assume that Logan did the lions share on this one. His script was tight and dramatic, the lines were natural instead of forced and he really created a development of the characters.
I also appreciated bringing back Q and the exchange between Bond and Q at the art gallery. It was good to see Bond receive practical, useful gadgets, instead of "exploding pens". Logan managed to set the groundwork for what will likely be a more respectful Bond-Q exchange in the future.
A review of "Skyfall" would also be incomplete without a mention of the "look" of the movie. The cinematography is incredible. In a word "wow".
Everyone involved in "Skyfall" should be proud of their work, this is perhaps the best James Bond movie in the series. It is certainly in my top five. It has also made me a believer again!

Glad you liked the film DLibrasnow! It was a great one and will rank in my top five as well. So if I remember correctly from your previous posts, this might unseat NSNA from the top of your Bond favorites? For the record, I really enjoyed NSNA as well, not a top 5 Bond movie for me, but probably one that I would put a the lower end of my top ten or just outside of it if I included it on my list. But I am glad you enjoyed "Skyfall" though we disagree on the quality of "Quantum Of Solace". I thought QOS was almost as good as CR and SF and though "Bourneish" in it's structure, it is a great revenge thriller and stands just as well next to the likes of AVTAK and DAD as it does Bourne. But I think we can agree that "Skyfall" is one heck of a Bond entry and ranks right up there with the Bond classics from the 60's.

[DominicGreene]

As CBNers are well aware I was scathing in my review of the 2008 monstrosity "Quantum of Solace". It essentially ended my love affair (ne obsession) with the James Bond movies in one fell swoop. Make no mistake, I still love many of the entries in the EON series, but I retreated from James Bond fandom almost entirely. As an example of the effect the movie has I have perhaps visited CBn about 20 times since 2008, whereas previously I had been visiting it at least daily.
As a result I went into "Skyfall" blind, in essence the theater ticket was a "blind buy". I had heard that Q was back and that Fiennes and Finney would make an appearance, but ignorant of any other details. Be warned this review will contain spoilers.
And what a welcome surprise the movie was. I was expecting a painful experience with another Carig misfire and instead came out reinvigorated and hopeful that the 007 series was back on the right track. I was delighted to see the DB5 return and especially to acknowledge the ejector seat and Craig using the machine guns behind the headlights. Gone were the in-your-face forced feeling nods to the past that appeared in "Die Another Day" the tributes in this movie felt natural and less heavy handed than in the Brosnan movie.
The end was also perfect and can be sewn effectively into the beginning of Dr No. We realized in this final scene that we had not just witnessed Bond's origin story, but also Moneypenny's. And the most exciting thing of all - the padded door was back. One of the things I had been missing since Dalton's era was the warm, aesthetically pleasing classic decor of M's office. I've always hate the glass and metal modern design of Dench's Ms office - I don't like it in everyday life either and would never allow that look in my office - and this perhaps was the most welcome sight of the entire movie. It was this reason that I didn't mind the gunbarrel at the end, it was essentially an exclamation mark to say "James Bond is back".
John Logan of course should be commended for his work on the screenplay. I noticed he was saddled with the hapless pair that gave us "Die Another Day" and were unable to pull together "QoS" but the less said about them the better. I assume that Logan did the lions share on this one. His script was tight and dramatic, the lines were natural instead of forced and he really created a development of the characters.
I also appreciated bringing back Q and the exchange between Bond and Q at the art gallery. It was good to see Bond receive practical, useful gadgets, instead of "exploding pens". Logan managed to set the groundwork for what will likely be a more respectful Bond-Q exchange in the future.
A review of "Skyfall" would also be incomplete without a mention of the "look" of the movie. The cinematography is incredible. In a word "wow".
Everyone involved in "Skyfall" should be proud of their work, this is perhaps the best James Bond movie in the series. It is certainly in my top five. It has also made me a believer again!

Some Bond fan you are....

Edited by DominicGreene, 12 November 2012 - 03:33 AM.

[JimmyBond]

Now now, everyone's entitled to their own opinion.