As part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film series (starting with “Dr. No”), the superspy returns in “Skyfall.” SIDEWALKS’ J.P. reviews the latest chapter.
“SKYFALL”
MGM, Columbia Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG-13 by the MPAA for INTENSE VIOLENT SEQUENCES THROUGHOUT, SOME SEXUALITY, LANGUAGE AND SMOKING.
Run Time: 143 minutes
Directed by: Sam Mendes
Written by: Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan
Produced by: Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli
Cast: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Marlohe, Ben Whishaw, Helen McCrory, Rory Kinear, with Albert Finney and Judi Dench as “M”
Studio Synopsis:
Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in Skyfall, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. 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.
J.P.’s Take:
When Ian Fleming first published his novel “Casino Royale” in 1953, we caught a glimpse of the debonair British spy James Bond. It was a year later that CBS produced a television special for “Casino Royale” which became an international success. 50 years later, the 007 film franchise has been going strong ever since and finally “Skyfall” makes its way to theaters.
For those of you who don’t follow the series as closely as my dad and I, “Skyfall” is the third in the new films; number 23 in the overall franchise. Today Daniel Craig dons the alter ego of Fleming, but I wasn’t fan of the idea of him taking over the role at first. With this new film, I find he’s grown into the iconic character nicely and this time with a little more grace. Some hardcore Bond fans may find that the filmmakers have stripped away much of the characteristics which makes James Bond – James Bond. But not so fast, they’ve actually taken great care as to pay homage to the past with some classic set and prop pieces, such as the Walther PPK pistol he carries, the shaken not stirred martini, to the vintage 60’s Aston Martin DB5. In fact, there’s a line you’ll hear through out the film, where a couple of the characters say something like “Sometimes the old ways are the best ways.” I consider it a tribute to the James Bond of old, in a wink and nudge kind of way.
This relaunching is also a well constructed, non complicated story piece. It’s the type of film that gets back to Bond’s origins, with less of the over the top stunts to contend with. Of course, it still boasts many of the type of impossible action sequences seen through out the 007 anthology, but they are less of a distraction here. Unfortunately, don’t expect a large array of quirky cool gadgets that were part of the fun in the previous series. Again, many hardcore fans may find that sacrilege. However, this is a new Bond for a new generation, and I can understand that because time marches on. To further acknowledge that fact, younger newer actors are brought aboard to reinvigorate this spy movie mainstay.
It’s also refreshing to see that James Bond isn’t a super man in this movie. He’s made vulnerable, somewhat out of step and real. This element I feel will appeal to even the most stanch Bond enthusiast.
I love the addition of new characters played by Javier Bardem (as Raoul Silva), Naomie Harris (fellow MI6 field agent Eve), Ralph Fiennes (Gareth Mallory, Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee), Bérénice Lim Marlohe (Sévérine) and Albert Finney (Kincade, the gamekeeper of the Skyfall estate). In her 7th Bond film, Judi Dench remains as M, the head of MI6, and not to spoil it, but only up to a point. Yet, she still remains an integral part of the movies fabric.
I have to point out, however, that Bond is given a worthy opponent this time around, thanks to Bardem. I’ll just say he ranks right up there with Heath Ledger’s rendition of the Joker (in “The Dark Knight”), Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lector (“The Silence of the Lambs”) , and few others in terms of creepy villains. I was impressed with entire cast.
“Skyfall” is a much more sentimental James Bond film; one I feel was needed to reignite nostalgia for the spy franchise. And it’s not so much as a farewell to the suave spy we know and love, but more like a tribute or a close of a chapter. By far, this is a vast improvement 007 film over the dismal “Quantum of Solace” and a good indication as to which direction the next generation of James Bond movies will take. I’ve become a bigger fan over time, this new film just reinforces that.