What I thought would be an easy verdict is probably one of the toughest to call. Skyfall is Bond as you would have never seen it before…but is it the best? is it the worst? Well that’s where it gets difficult
Skyfall is not the adventure popcorn action you and I have come to associate with Bond over recent years. It does not rely on adrenalin pumping action or fancy gadgets. Come to think of it, it doesn’t even have a very convoluted plot. By all these counts, this movie should be a no-go for all Bond fans..but it isn’t.
What needs to be kept in mind while watching Skyfall is that this is a franchise that has completed 50 years and this movie is meant to be a tribute to that franchise. The popcorn adventure could’ve been and has been played out many times over..Skyfall chooses to go deeper and take a real, hard look at Bond, M and the entire franchise itself. I won’t say anything further than that
In the hands of Sam Mendes, a director not really known for action adventure movies, Bond and Skyfall receive completely different treatment and in its own way it works. Landscape shots and focus on expressions replace gunfire and explosions. I won’t say its all great – there are times where you wish there were more incidents, more mayhem, more action sequences, more of the Bond you were attuned to but once you are willing to slow down, you begin to appreciate what’s there. Like Casino Royale was different and took some time to digest..Skyfall again makes you swallow a bitter pill and it takes some time to appreciate the sweetness within
As for the performances, Daniel Craig is just okay as Bond, Dame Judi Dench is in vintage touch as M and the villain of the tale is convincing but isn’t given enough air-time. With a little more work this villain could have established himself on a far greater plane but for some strange reason the film doesn’t go for that
I won’t say I am completely sold to the film. I would’ve liked some things to be different and there are other scenes that tempt, tease but don’t deliver. However, whatever is delivered is in a class of its own and seen at its own merit, Skyfall takes the Bond legacy to new heights
Skyfall is better than earlier bond flicks with different treatment from Mendes as you said, next to Casino royale.. and Craig is the best bond of the franchise.
ReplyDeleteThe best bond is an argument that can run its own course :)..however, I felt skyfall also had tremendous potential in its script..which it completely missed in its presentation..there was an appearance of depth in most places, without any actual depth..what do you say?
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