Monday 19 November 2012

Skyfall Meets Sky-high Expectations

After a four-year hiatus while MGM scrambled to find money, the twenty-third Bond film has hit theaters and blows the expectations away. Daniel Craig returned again as Bond and he is joined by an all-star team. Talented Sam Mendes directs what some consider to be the "best Bond yet". 

I loved it. What makes this Bond amazing is that it is also a wonderful movie. People who aren't Bond fans can go and enjoy this film without needing to know anything again.

That being said - it still rewards its dedicated fans. There are many subtle throwbacks that a fan of the series will recognize and be delighted about. 

The key word that sums of this film is "redemption".  It's what Bond wanted and it's what I felt this film was. Quantum of Solace was a flop in my mind after the beautiful masterpiece that was Casino Royale. But this movie seemed to redeem the franchise (not that it was in trouble) and it seemed to complete the reboot that Casino Royale started. 

Ben Whishaw joins the franchise as young, adorable nerd Q. If you recognize his face, it might be because he was in the very recent Cloud Atlas. He does a fantastic job as the quartermaster. He successfully manages to merge the beloved personality with a new hipster nerd vibe. He would appeal to both the older and younger generations. It also doesn't hurt that many females find him adorable. 

And he is only the tip of the ice berg with the wonderful  cast. Judi Dench gives an award winning performance as M. She balances the act between lady and bitch perfectly. Ralph Fiennes is a fresh face that we will thankfully be seeing more of in the future. He was so fantastic that I forgot that I last saw him as Lord Voldemort. 

Skyfall fulfills every requirement that Bond films need. 

1) Bond Ladies - 007 is known for many things especially his weakness for beautiful women. It has sometimes been his greatest weakness. The fifty years has showcased a great deal of unforgettable ladies and borderline hilarious names. Honey Ryder was the start with her iconic white bikini. In Skyfall, Naomie Harris teased the audience with her sexually charged banter. While Bérénice Lim Marlohe made blood pound with her raw sensuality and vulnerability. These ladies fulfill this requirement. 

2) Action - Bond is known for making the impossible seem easy! Before any other franchise, Bond danced with death to bring some amazing stunts to the big screen. Skyfall does that in its first 20 minutes - a car chase followed by a motorcycle chase, climbing from a crane to jump into a train chamber, fighting on top of a moving train, falling from a height into a river. And that's before the song comes on!

3) Beautiful Scenery - from the exotic to the tropic and back to London, Skyfall shows it all. So, check!

4) Creepy Unique Villain - Javier Bardem gives a brilliant performance  that words will do not justice. He is amazing. The character is exactly how I would imagine Bond to be if be ever went bad. He is always one step ahead. 

Skyfall meets every requirement to their formula and then some. Either way - this is a movie to watch in the theaters! Go. Now.
 
Rating: 5/5

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