SKYFALL
Very early in the movie Bond is killed. But a character who proclaims that his hobby is resurrection does not stay dead. Sam Mendes brings him back and with a big dose of Sam in him.
This is a Bond movie like no other. In fact as recently the legend of Bond has grown more ruthless, less snappy and darker, Skyfall marks the biggest change yet. The suave, at-ease agent looks and walks more like a NCO than a commander. The personality of Craig, the direction of Mendes and permeates every frame of the film. And that should be a good thing.
I'm not saying it is a bad film. Its a good ride. Somewhat believable, somewhat grim, fast paced and all that...but its not a Bond ride. And therein lies the dilemma that the viewer faces after seeing this film. An older viewer more so as he takes his Bond more seriously.
The film has the structure in place in so far as opening thriller, titles, recovery and pre climax and climax. The only other thing in common is the role that women play is still decorative. M is a bitch. And yes the main villian is an ex MI6 station chief. Goldenye anybody?
Looking at things lightly, its quite a sad story. The recession hit MI6 loses stuff, is out of agents except you know who, hands out commercial airline tickets. Sends squint eyed minders who can't shoot the bad guy on a running train going into a tunnel. Plus chief with no expense account worth a jot,
Where once we had space stations, we now have subway stations. Bond has to hijack cars from the office. Where we had the most scenic locales in the world we have gray London. And of course a Q with no hair makes way for one with uncontrolled abundance of it but a shortage of gadgets and smarts. And an M with balls making way for one with a spine.
The menace that Javier exudes as Silva dissipates 3 inches away from his body. Still a competent show with absolutely no I repeat no significant help from his insignificant crew. Nothing worth noting here.
Except for Judi Dench and Javier Bardem acting is shot to pieces.
One feels that Mendes has approached this project with a fair bit of condescension. Bringing up the DB5 that actually saves lives and say its not really comfortable is not cool. Also Q derides the old handouts of the Q branch. Little does he know that were it not for them, the world would have been enslaved before his parents learnt of birds and bees.
The only throwback to old days was a great song sung by Adele.
I can't help but reference this with Dark Knight. And while Mendes directs things with finesse, this is not Road to Perdition, this is Bond. And while Nolan redefined Batman with his trilogy, Mendes has wiped the slate clean for succeeding Bond film directors...
I am not sure that it is such a good thing.
Very early in the movie Bond is killed. But a character who proclaims that his hobby is resurrection does not stay dead. Sam Mendes brings him back and with a big dose of Sam in him.
This is a Bond movie like no other. In fact as recently the legend of Bond has grown more ruthless, less snappy and darker, Skyfall marks the biggest change yet. The suave, at-ease agent looks and walks more like a NCO than a commander. The personality of Craig, the direction of Mendes and permeates every frame of the film. And that should be a good thing.
I'm not saying it is a bad film. Its a good ride. Somewhat believable, somewhat grim, fast paced and all that...but its not a Bond ride. And therein lies the dilemma that the viewer faces after seeing this film. An older viewer more so as he takes his Bond more seriously.
The film has the structure in place in so far as opening thriller, titles, recovery and pre climax and climax. The only other thing in common is the role that women play is still decorative. M is a bitch. And yes the main villian is an ex MI6 station chief. Goldenye anybody?
Looking at things lightly, its quite a sad story. The recession hit MI6 loses stuff, is out of agents except you know who, hands out commercial airline tickets. Sends squint eyed minders who can't shoot the bad guy on a running train going into a tunnel. Plus chief with no expense account worth a jot,
Where once we had space stations, we now have subway stations. Bond has to hijack cars from the office. Where we had the most scenic locales in the world we have gray London. And of course a Q with no hair makes way for one with uncontrolled abundance of it but a shortage of gadgets and smarts. And an M with balls making way for one with a spine.
The menace that Javier exudes as Silva dissipates 3 inches away from his body. Still a competent show with absolutely no I repeat no significant help from his insignificant crew. Nothing worth noting here.
Except for Judi Dench and Javier Bardem acting is shot to pieces.
One feels that Mendes has approached this project with a fair bit of condescension. Bringing up the DB5 that actually saves lives and say its not really comfortable is not cool. Also Q derides the old handouts of the Q branch. Little does he know that were it not for them, the world would have been enslaved before his parents learnt of birds and bees.
The only throwback to old days was a great song sung by Adele.
I can't help but reference this with Dark Knight. And while Mendes directs things with finesse, this is not Road to Perdition, this is Bond. And while Nolan redefined Batman with his trilogy, Mendes has wiped the slate clean for succeeding Bond film directors...
I am not sure that it is such a good thing.
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