Skyfall - Grading & Discussion

Discussion in 'TV & Media' started by Agent Richard07, Oct 23, 2012.

?

Grade the movie...

  1. A+

    25.6%
  2. A

    27.3%
  3. A-

    16.5%
  4. B+

    8.5%
  5. B

    4.5%
  6. B-

    6.3%
  7. C+

    2.3%
  8. C

    2.3%
  9. C-

    4.0%
  10. D+

    1.1%
  11. D

    0.6%
  12. D-

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  13. F

    1.1%
  1. EyalM

    EyalM Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2007
    Location:
    Haifa
    That was good, but the first two acts were better then the last. Maybe because they felt more in line with what I consider to be "classic Bond".

    The first confrontation between Bond and Silva was hilariously awkward
    the first time a male Bond villain tries to hit on Bond... :p
     
  2. Skellington

    Skellington Part-time poltergeist Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2009
    Location:
    Dublin, Ireland
    Enjoyed it a lot, probably the best of Craig's Bond movies so far and I can easily see Sam Mendes returning for the next one.

    This movie got a lot of things right and seems to have learned from others' mistakes. Nice to see Bond's ordeal actually have an impact on him (I'm looking at you, Die Another Day), and to have a story that feels like full-fat Bond without being an obvious retread. The movie is bolstered by some fine performances, particularly from Bardem (who provides the best Bond villain in ages and adds another standout psychopath to his CV). The cinematography and music were top-notch too, and pacing-wise the film never a lags or feels rushed.

    Further observations and comments:

    Having Ralph Fiennes as a character called Mallory in a position of power over MI6 could only really have gone one of two ways - M-ward or villain-ward. I'm glad it was the former. I think M's (Em's?) demise was kind of suggested early on, though, what with her conversation with Bond about retirement and death. (He had been presumed dead but had retired; she was up for retirement...)

    Nice touch having Kincade (who I was glad to see survive) apparently mishear and call M "Emma". I wonder if Alan Moore was on to something in the last instalment of The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

    Speaking of M, it was nice to see her out of her comfort zone as Judi Dench showed us some new facets to the character. After 17 years in the role (!) it was probably about time to call it a day, and Skyfall provides a really good send-off with a solid story arc.
    Not sure where exactly I stand regarding Ben Whishaw's Q. I think the old-head-on-young-shoulders approach is a little lacking in credible naturalism, but I guess you can't expect an eccentric genius to behave like 95% of the populace. Also, I could easily imagine this fellow taking up the reins from Matt Smith when the latter leaves Doctor Who.

    Craig himself gives a robust performance as Bond, managing to bring both humanity and a little Conneryesque insouciance and humour to the role. Not sure about the quips; they seemed to lack comic timing, though perhaps this was deliberate. This Bond is ruthless and unflappable where needed, but he's far from a complete backstard.

    Anyway, B+. Really entertaining, well worth a few hours of this viewer's time, and bona fide Bond to boot.
     
  3. FlyingLemons

    FlyingLemons Vice Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2009
    Location:
    Kiryat Haim, perhaps
    Saw it today. Brilliant film, had all the stuff that Quantum of Solace was missing in spades.

    Thought that the Moneypenny introduction was quite good, as it effectively explained how and why Bond and Moneypenny are the way they are rather than just having her moon after him for no reason.

    Ralph Fiennes should be good as M in future films as well, seems to be like a modern version of the old Robert Brown character, complete with the old-style office and Moneypenny outside. Classic but with a new twist - I like it!

    Definitely flushed away the Quantum turd for me!
     
  4. Lonemagpie

    Lonemagpie Writer Admiral

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2007
    Location:
    Yorkshire
    it was great! Campest villain ever, but great. The only thing missing really was a David Arnold score (Newman's score was better than I expected, but not as good as DA). Dunno about all this "old" stuff re DC's Bond - he's the same age as me!

    "Welcome to Scotland" - Heh
     
  5. NCC-1701-B

    NCC-1701-B Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2009
    Location:
    Liverpool
    Ignore this one, it doubleposted.
     
  6. NCC-1701-B

    NCC-1701-B Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2009
    Location:
    Liverpool
    I loved it! Amazing edition to the bond franchise! And It really sets us up for more of the classic bond formula next time!

    Some of the most "bond" moments for me:

    Komodo dragons down a pit, with a fat henchman!

    BMT 216A, complete with machine guns and ejector seat reference

    The boat approaching the island was very bond too


    Also loved how the beach bits were filmed were I went on holiday this year, In Fethiye.
     
  7. Lonemagpie

    Lonemagpie Writer Admiral

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2007
    Location:
    Yorkshire
    John Logan has signed on to pen the next two Bonds, which apparently are going to be a two-part arc, and may be shot back-to-back.

    Oddly the report about it, when listing his credits, leaves out ST: Nemesis... (speaking of which, Stuart Baird edited Skyfall and proved yet again that he's a far better editor than director)
     
  8. John Clark

    John Clark Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2008
    Location:
    There
    Just back from seeing it. I'd say it's my favourite of the Craig films and overall was a cracking film:)
     
  9. Kelthaz

    Kelthaz Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2005
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    I haven't seen the film yet, but what's with that screaming woman with the wild hair sandwiched between all those serious looking people in the poster? It's so hilariously out of place.
     
  10. NCC-1701-B

    NCC-1701-B Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2009
    Location:
    Liverpool
    Got a pic of that?
     
  11. Kelthaz

    Kelthaz Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2005
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    Sure do. Scroll up a bit; it's in the first post. :)
     
  12. NCC-1701-B

    NCC-1701-B Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2009
    Location:
    Liverpool
    Ahh right yeah didn't see that! Though after the movie the face makes sense
     
  13. Brefugee

    Brefugee No longer living the Irish dream. Premium Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2007
    So we've just gotten in from watching Skyfall and my word, that was amazing.

    And Bond will return! Amazing!
     
  14. Pauln6

    Pauln6 Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2009
    Location:
    Bristol, United Kingdom
    Well, it didn't knock From Russia with Love off its top perch for me but they did a lot of things right. The humour was knowing but fun. Eve was pretty much note perfect for me. Villain was OTT but in a good way - one of the best villains for years. It was nice to see a plot that didn't feel dominated by set piece chase scenes.

    The timeline is still a bit wonky as Q is too young to be Major Boothroyd in Dr No. I know it's a soft reboot and Judi Dench was essentially playing a different character to Brosnan's M (which was implied in Casino Royale by dialogue that contradicted her intro in Goldeneye) but it would have been really nice if they could have crossed the t's and dotted the i's to bridge the gap.

    If Craig had played Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service with the same depth that he brings to this effort, that movie would probably been a real emotional powerhouse as well as a cracking action adventure.
     
  15. Zulu Romeo

    Zulu Romeo World Famous Starship Captain Admiral

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2004
    Alan Partridge famously cried out "Stop getting Bond wrong!" They got it right this time, in several ways.

    Brilliant performances from all the cast, including a memorably disturbing villain, nice humorous moments and tongue-in-cheek snippets of dialogue, exciting setpieces, and (very importantly) a catchy and memorable theme tune. ;) It's up there with the best of the Bond films, and it's to its credit that it has a modern, multi-layered, subtext-filled storyline that, more than the '06 Casino Royale, seems further removed from the standard Bond formula we've grown up with than most others' attempts.

    If there was one gripe, it's that it didn't have quite the same impact on me as Casino Royale when it came out - admittedly to produce the same reaction would be very hard to do. But it is a minor feeling - the film made the most of the two and a bit hours' running time, and by the time the final scene of the film took place (which in itself was a wonderful final tribute to the 50-year film series heritage) the action-packed opening in Istanbul seemed like an age away.

    In short: Quantum of what now? This was amazing, and definitely worth all the hype.
     
  16. Starkers

    Starkers Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2001
    Location:
    Behind Enemy Lines
    Saw it Friday morning and I really, really like it. To be honest I need to see it again to really figure out where it sits in the Bond pantheon for me, but going out on an early limb I think this is my favourite Craig Bond film, certainly the first one that wasn't embarrassed to be James Bond film, and despite its long running time I thought it was paced near perfectly (unlike Casino Royale) I was never bored and I could barely take my eyes off the screen, it had me entranced.

    The humour was well done, the action scenes great, and the casting very good. The only downside to Bardem was that I wanted to see more of him!

    I have few plot issues. Silva's plan
    seemed ridiculously complicated, and they did seem to suggest that it was his plan all along (force MI6 underground, get captured and taken to the underground base, plant a bomb in just the right place to be useful etc etc.

    I thought the Moneypenny reveal amusing, but seriously Bond worked with this girl in Turkey, she came out to Shanghai, was around all the time and we're supposed to believe he didn't know her name?

    I'm being overly picky I know, and hell I re-watched Goldeneye the other day and that's full of holes too, doesn't stop me loving it.

    I loved all the Bond references as well, like DAD only much more subtle:
    the full stocked DB5 obviously, but the signature gun (Licence to Kill) Bond jumping on the back of the Komodo dragon (Live and Let Die) the radio transmitter looked very reminiscent of the tracking device in Goldfinger, and I thought Severine was a nice hark back to Andrea Anders, especially interesting given Silva seemed quite Scaramanga like (from the book especially given his sexuality) and when he took his teeth out Silva looked quite Jaws like...I'm sure there were lots more...

    I thought Harris and Whishaw were great, and I've always been a big fan of Finnes...have to say, when he ducked and grabbed the gun did anyone else wish we'd got to see Finnes' take on 007? He is only 5 years older than DC after all!

    With regard to M
    for some reason her death didn't grab me. I guess they were going for an OHMSS resonance but I didn't feel it. Maybe if it hadn't been so obvious throughout that she was bowing out it'd have been better, and effectively her death means Silva wins. Looking forward to Finnes in the role though, and I thought Harris was very good as Moneypenny, I'm assuming they, plus Whishaw, will be back!)


    Direction very good, no confusing action scenes this time. Soundtrack good, though seemed a bit of a pick and mix, and whilst I understood at the end why they shifted the gun barrel there again, I really hope it's back at the start next time. I liked the titles, though they took some time to warm up, I do wonder if we'll ever get a sequence as cool as Casino Royale again mind you.

    I think Dench had the funniest lines as well
    "You're not bloody well staying here" "Go on then, eject me!"
     
  17. N-121973

    N-121973 Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2005
    Location:
    Great Britain
    I saw it this morning at my local Vue. I thought it was brilliant. I hope to see it again in the cinema. My only gripes were once more having the gun barrel sequence at the end of the film rather than the beginning (admittedly a very minor gripe but it has been ten years since a Bond film last started that way) and
    there not being a Bond Girl
    .
    I thought the humour was good and the action sequences and I liked the fact that the film was predominantely set in Britain.
    There is one more observation, is it just me or could anyone else imagine Sir Sean Connery in the Albert Finney role?
     
  18. Lonemagpie

    Lonemagpie Writer Admiral

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2007
    Location:
    Yorkshire
    There was - Dame Judi
     
  19. Emher

    Emher Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2003
    Location:
    Sweden, where the chefs roam
    ^PRetty much. And perfectly so.
    That sounds...awesome! At least the double-feature back to back bit.

    And Baird really is a fantastic editor. After seeing the opening sequence I wasn't really surprised to his name in the credit sequence.


    Great, great film. Best looking Bond film ever, and best shot action sequences in years. I could always tell what was going on.

    A.
     
  20. Lonemagpie

    Lonemagpie Writer Admiral

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2007
    Location:
    Yorkshire
    ^ Yeah, Baird was also one of the editors on Superman The Movie, he did Lethal Weapon, Die Hard 2, and of course Casino Royale!