Skyfall is James Bond’s 23rd film feature in the long-lasting British spy flick that transcends across the time. Daniel Craig’s third outing as the popular spy also carries a more realistic approach and treatment on the character, where age does matter in this equation. With a certain freshness been added, Skyfall goes against the norm but it still have some of the iconic features implanted everywhere. Departing from the more familiar plot about country versus Quantum, Skyfall ends up been a comfortable and workable Bond movie.
In Skyfall, M’s daunting past returns. After losing the hard-drive containing names of the secret agents around the world, MI6 under the realm of M (Judi Dench) is fighting a ghost she never recognized. What perceived as a coordinated cyber attack in the heart of London sparks an unwanted return of Silva (Javier Bardem), a man with wrenching twist to the same nation that condemns him to hell. When it all clears that all Silva wanted is revenge, Bond (Daniel Craig) was summoned into active duty while struggling with pains of his own.
Genre: Action/Adventure
Classification: PG13
Release Date: 1 November 2012
Running Time: 143 minutes
Distributor: Sony Pictures
Director: Sam Mendes
Screenplay: Ian Fleming, Robert Wade, John Logan, Neal Purvis
Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe
Plot: In Skyfall, Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.
Skyfall marks a new territory previously uncharted. Skyfall brings the mass audience into a different Bond movie by focusing more on the personal vendetta, and not a coordinated mission against the known enemy. In this one, Silva is the henchman with plenty of resources and capable of drafting a genius plan. But he is faceless, psychotic, horrifying and rat-sadist. Not sure if he really looks like Joker, but his performance on the opposite role is mesmerizing.
Adding in with the sense of mortality, it is a transient reminder that Bond is still, human after all. It also strips the character to the bareness, exposing the vulnerability and a difficult phase or time for everyone involved. Never in the history of the franchise does Bond’s physique and mentality are challenged down to the core, even his loyalty to the nation seems questionable. Even when Bond is deprived of enough maestro-devices that are so iconic to the franchise, we are further suggested the kind of direction rented here. No more fancy guns and sport-cars; Bond is forced to fight not only a faceless enemy, but also a defining state of the art technology.
But this results in a more realistic Bond movie for contemporary modern world. Still, Skyfall is a familiar canvas that essentially keeps everything we know about him. Lady killing machine still palpable in this man, I tell you, that even the exotic and Beretta-strapped Severine (Benerice Marlohe) fells to his charm. He still prefers a “shaken, not stirred” martini, still delivering some mustang and cynical lines, and still fights handsomely.
The long exchange banter and cynical dialogue between Bond and Silva on the latter’s lair has to be one of the highlight scenes. Then the opening action-driven scene in Istanbul is both thrilling and jolting. This Sam Mendes-directed movie is a great addition into the franchise that offers a gritty outlook, complex-yet-accessible plot, stunning actions mixed with some well-drafted choreography, crispy acting performances and a true jolting experience will truly suit the modern and traditional Bond viewers. Skyfall is a success to the franchise, although not really the best in the franchise, but remains notches better than Quantum of Solace.
In Skyfall, M’s daunting past returns. After losing the hard-drive containing names of the secret agents around the world, MI6 under the realm of M (Judi Dench) is fighting a ghost she never recognized. What perceived as a coordinated cyber attack in the heart of London sparks an unwanted return of Silva (Javier Bardem), a man with wrenching twist to the same nation that condemns him to hell. When it all clears that all Silva wanted is revenge, Bond (Daniel Craig) was summoned into active duty while struggling with pains of his own.
Genre: Action/Adventure
Classification: PG13
Release Date: 1 November 2012
Running Time: 143 minutes
Distributor: Sony Pictures
Director: Sam Mendes
Screenplay: Ian Fleming, Robert Wade, John Logan, Neal Purvis
Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe
Plot: In Skyfall, Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.
Adding in with the sense of mortality, it is a transient reminder that Bond is still, human after all. It also strips the character to the bareness, exposing the vulnerability and a difficult phase or time for everyone involved. Never in the history of the franchise does Bond’s physique and mentality are challenged down to the core, even his loyalty to the nation seems questionable. Even when Bond is deprived of enough maestro-devices that are so iconic to the franchise, we are further suggested the kind of direction rented here. No more fancy guns and sport-cars; Bond is forced to fight not only a faceless enemy, but also a defining state of the art technology.
But this results in a more realistic Bond movie for contemporary modern world. Still, Skyfall is a familiar canvas that essentially keeps everything we know about him. Lady killing machine still palpable in this man, I tell you, that even the exotic and Beretta-strapped Severine (Benerice Marlohe) fells to his charm. He still prefers a “shaken, not stirred” martini, still delivering some mustang and cynical lines, and still fights handsomely.
The long exchange banter and cynical dialogue between Bond and Silva on the latter’s lair has to be one of the highlight scenes. Then the opening action-driven scene in Istanbul is both thrilling and jolting. This Sam Mendes-directed movie is a great addition into the franchise that offers a gritty outlook, complex-yet-accessible plot, stunning actions mixed with some well-drafted choreography, crispy acting performances and a true jolting experience will truly suit the modern and traditional Bond viewers. Skyfall is a success to the franchise, although not really the best in the franchise, but remains notches better than Quantum of Solace.
MY RATING:
Story: 4.5
Casts: 5.0
Cinematography: 4.5
Effects: 4.5
GREEN-TEA-O-METER: 18.7/20.0
