Review: Skyfall

 

Director: Sam Mendes
Written by:  Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, John Logan
Starring: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Lim Marlohe, Albert Finney
Genre: Action | Drama
MPAA: PG-13

 

 


 

007 (Daniel Craig) becomes M’s only ally as MI6 comes under attack, and a mysterious new villain emerges with a diabolical plan. James Bond’s latest mission has gone horribly awry, resulting in the exposure of several undercover agents, and an all-out attack on M16. Meanwhile, as M (Judi Dench) plans to relocate the agency, emerging Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee Mallory (Ralph Fiennes) raises concerns about her competence while attempting to usurp her position, and Q (Ben Whishaw) becomes a crucial ally. Now the only person who can restore M’s reputation is 007. Operating in the dark with only field agent Eve (Naomie Harris) to guide him, the world’s top secret agent works to root out an enigmatic criminal mastermind named Silva (Javier Bardem) as a major storm brews on the horizon. Albert Finney also stars in the 23rd installment of the long-running spy series. The film was directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Revolutionary Road) and shot by acclaimed cinematographer Roger Deakins (True Grit, The Reader, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford).

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12 thoughts on “Review: Skyfall

  1. I also love the return of the old style Bond movie Skyfall has created. Although Casino Royal is one of the better newer Bond movies, I always enjoy when a movie goes back to its old style using new Characters. It’s a great creative way to show the new and old in movie generations.

  2. The more I think about it the less I see this film as a “James Bond” movie but rather as a movie with James Bond in it.I get that it was supposed to be retro and a throwback but I hated how I had to just accept plot holes and weak character development for Bardem’s character. It was good, just not satisfying for me.

    1. @Anthony_TMB I agree that it felt a bit outside of the narrative of the previous two films and that would bother me if Quantum of Solace was any good.  This film feels more like the older ones where each one was almost a stand alone, with implicit nods to other stories but no tangible common threads.  I guess Im saying I agree with you, but I dont think its atypical of a Bond film.
       
      I will say that Bardem is in my top 3 Bond villians and my favorite of the Craig films.  I think my assessment falls inline with what others are saying: better than Quantum, not quite as good as Casino… yet the more I think about this film, the more I want to see it again.  I would love to see Sam Mendes do another one and perhaps rebuild some continuity that started with Casino Royale through Quantum of Solace… or forget them and move on from Skyfall.

  3. Skyfall has so many illogical plot elements. Like why did the grounds keeper and M use a flashlight when they were walking through the field in the middle of the night. Its like waving a sign to the villains “Hey, over here! Come an find me so the plot can continue!” Help me write up all the plot points that don’t make sense for SkyFall and other movies at http://www.IRuinMovies.com.

  4. **SPOILER ALERT**  Do  not read below if you haven’t seen this film.Hey John,  
      Great review but I would disagree with your perspective of Bardem’s character.  You said that towards the end you felt his character became more foolish and I agree with that but I see a reasoning for this.  His character’s power lies in technology where he is practically invincible.  Bond realizes this and it is why he brings the battle to an unfamiliar environment that is absent of technology, which gives Bond the advantage.  Anyone outside of their element would seem foolish and since the villain’s strength lied in technology, he resorts to guns, explosives, and manpower.  I recognize that the character loses his invincibility towards the end, but I think it is intended based on Bond’s plan.

  5. Is it me or did The Movie Blog just return to greatness with the appearance of its long lost father….ITS JOHN!!!! BTW thanks for the review boss man, please don’t leave us again!

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