Film Review: SKYFALL (2012)

Director: Sam Mendes
Writers: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, John Logan & Ian Fleming (Characters - Uncredited)
Running time: 143 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller
UK Release date: 26^th October 2012

Watched at the Picture House (K-town) Saturday 28^th October 2012.

-o0o-

When Bond came back with ‘Casino Royalle’ (2006) he came back with a bang; he then stumbled a bit in ‘Quantum of Solace’ (2008) but I’m very pleased to report he’s bang on form again with ‘Skyfall’. Putting Sam Mendes in charge has really worked and we have a coherent character led story that really delivers. I could see parts where some younger members of the audience were beginning to lose interest, but these were few and far between. Plenty of action to keep the explosion junkies happy as well as a nicely put together plot. Here’s a very brief (& spoiler-free) summary.

A hard drive is stolen containing the identities of many deep-cover agents around the world. Bond is immediately on the case; chasing down the thief in one of the best opening sequences I’ve seen to a Bond film (or any other film for that matter). Needless to say the bad guy gets away and Bond is missing (presumed dead). But when the MI6 building in London is attacked he decides to come out of retirement and help M track down whoever is behind it. What follows is an exciting and enthralling journey that strikes at the very core of Bond and in particular his relationship with M. It seems M has had a much larger bearing on Bond’s life than was ever revealed before. I will leave it there before I say too much… Wouldn’t want to be run over by a run-away train now would I.

Beautifully shot with much less reliance in gadgetry than has been customary in the past. It’s almost like they were keeping truer to the Bond that Ian Fleming wrote about; a man that relies more on his wits than on technology. All the performances were excellent (as ever) with Daniel Craig taking on the mantle of James Bond for a third time and gaining great plaudits on the way. Judi Dench does a great job as M; a role that this time requires great depth and she provides in spades! For the evil mastermind we have Javier Bardem who does such a great job as the Bond villain Silva; perfect for the role. Also worthy of note were Ralph Fiennes as Gareth Mallory; Naomie Harris as Eve; Bérénice Marlohe as Sévérine; Albert Finney as Kincade and not forgetting Ben Whishaw who did a great job as Q.

A film that brings Bond back to its roots with many old characters re-stated by the end; I’m certain it will please many long-standing fans like myself. The story does have quite a lot of emotional depth both for Bond and for M as they are forced to face their past. A highly enjoyable film that stretches all the emotions; everything from laughter to despair; I loved it! Well worth a look – It has my seal of approval, which, coming from a man who, if he used his middle name and mother’s maiden name would be called James Bond… Think on.

SteelMonster’s verdict: VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My score: 9.4/10

IMDb Score: 8.5/10 (based on 14,362 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1074638/

MetaScore: 83/100: (Based on 10 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 94/100 (based on 63 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 91/100 ‘Liked it’ (based on 41,688 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/skyfall/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Psychologist: I'm going to say a word, and I want you to say the first word that comes into your head. Country?
James Bond: England.
Psychologist: Gun?
James Bond: Shot.
Psychologist: Agent?
James Bond: Provocateur.
Psychologist: Murder?
James Bond: Employment.
Psychologist: Skyfall?
[pause when there is no answer]
Psychologist: Skyfall?
James Bond: Done.
[Walks out]

Q: I'm your new quartermaster.
James Bond: You must be joking.

James Bond: Everyone needs a hobby...
Raoul Silva: So what's yours?
James Bond: Resurrection.

Sévérine: What do you know?
James Bond: Well, it takes a certain type of women to wear a backless dress with a Beretta 70 strapped to her thigh.

Raoul Silva: England... Mi6... so old-fashioned!

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.007.com/skyfall/
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skyfall/459060174146573
Trailer:

Film Review: QUANTUM OF SOLACE (2008) – Revisited

Director: Marc Forster
Writers: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade & Paul Haggis (screenplay): Ian Fleming (novel)
Running time: 106 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller
UK Release date: 31^st October 2008

Watched on DVD Sunday 14^th October 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I watched ‘Casino Royale’ just recently and found it a really great way to reboot the Bond franchise. This is the second time I’ve seen ‘Quantum of Solace’ and I have to say I didn’t enjoy it quite as much this time around. That’s not to say that it’s bad, far from it, I still think it’s a pretty good film; maybe not as good as I did on first viewing is all. It helps if you have seen ‘Casino Royale’ to understand why Bond is behaving the way he is, but I don’t think it’s essential, there are enough references for you to figure it out. Here’s a brief summary before I give you my thoughts.

We begin with a car chase, a great way to start many an action thriller. Guns blazing, the bad guys eventually get their comeuppance; I don’t think I’m giving anything away there! Bond drives to Siena where M is waiting to question the prisoner he has in his boot (trunk if you’re in the US). There’s a double cross and this is where the action starts… I won’t go into too much detail about the plot, partly because it’s quite complicated and partly because I don’t want to give away any spoilers. But very briefly, good guys, Bond, M…etc. against mysterious bad guys who we don’t even find out the name of until almost the end. Don’t worry, I won’t say it… Oh, and there’s a girl with revenge on her mind involved, and I reckon that’s about all I can tell you.

Great performance from Daniel Craig (as ever) as Bond and Olga Kurylenko as Camille. Judi Dench was brilliant, isn’t she always, as M and I thought Mathieu Amalric was adequate as Dominic Greene, the chief bad guy. Honourable mentions to Gemma Arterton as Strawberry Fields, Giancarlo Giannini as Rene Mathis and Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter.

Production wise, I couldn’t fault it, shot very well both on location and at Pinewood with, as usual, an excellent soundtrack. On the down side, the fight sequences did remind me of the ‘Jason Bourne’ films a little bit too much, I expected something a little more original. Over all, just what we’ve come to expect from a modern Bond movie, it just lacked a little humour to lighten it up a bit, apart from that, pretty enjoyable… if a little over complicated.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED

My score: 7.4/10

IMDb Score: 6.8/10 (based on 165,595 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0830515/

MetaScore: 58/100: (Based on 38 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 65/100 (based on 246 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 62/100 ‘Liked it’ (based on 385,925 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/quantum_of_solace/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
M: It'd be a pretty cold bastard who didn't want revenge for the death of someone he loved.

Mr. White: The first thing you should know about us is... we have people everywhere.

James Bond: How long have I got?
Felix Leiter: Thirty seconds.
James Bond: That doesn't give us a lot of time...

M: Who the hell is this organisation Bond? How can they be everywhere and we know nothing about them!

Camille: You lost somebody?
James Bond: I did.
Camille: You catch who ever did it?
James Bond: No, not yet.
Camille: Tell me when you do, I'd like to know how it feels...

James Bond: [Interrupting the opera house conversation] Can I offer an opinion? I really think you people should find a better place to meet.

Camille: So, what's your interest in Greene?
James Bond: Among other things, he tried to kill a friend of mine.
Camille: A woman?
James Bond: Yes. But it's not what you think.
Camille: Your mother?
James Bond: She likes to think so.

Camille: How much did he want?
James Bond: He wanted you but I left the car as collateral. He'll get much more when he sells us out.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.007.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: CASINO ROYALE (2006)

Director: Martin Campbell
Writers: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade & Paul Haggis (screenplay): Ian Fleming (novel)
Running time: 139 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

Genre: Action/Adventure/Thriller
UK Release date: 16^th November 2006

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 7^th October 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

In anticipation of the new Bond film ‘Skyfall’, out in a couple of weeks, I thought I’d take a look at the last two in the series, starting (of course) with Daniel Craig’s debut; Casino Royale. For the record, yes, I have seen it before and very much enjoyed it. It’s been quite a while since my first look so it will be interesting to see how it fairs. Here’s a very brief summary before I give you my thoughts.

Having lost his clients’ money in a scheme foiled by James Bond; financier to the criminal underworld, Le Chiffre, arranges a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale in Montenegro (not Monte Carlo as many mistakenly think). Of course Bond has a seat and he has a beautiful woman on his arm; Vesper Lynd, who represents the treasury who are staking Bond. His aim; to prevent Le Chiffre from wining and gaining back his reputation. There are many bluffs and counter bluffs but you know Bond will win out in the end… But at what cost? I’ll leave it there, the Spoiler Police will be pleased with me today as I’ve kept it particularly vague.

Very well made with, as ever, some great music supplied by David Arnold. There are also some great locations (as expected) and some quite breathtaking stunt work (hats off to those guys). I thought Daniel Craig was excellent as Bond; he really brings the character up to date and gives him a lot more edge; something that had been lacking in his more recent predecessors. Eva Green did an excellent job as Vesper Lynd; vulnerable when needed but also quite sassy at times. And now the bad guy; Mads Mikkelsen plays Le Chiffre with just the right amount of menace, nicely done! I will also give a mention to; Judi Dench as M, she was excellent as ever, Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter and Giancarlo Giannini as Rene Mathis.

There is quite a lot of action before things focus on the Casino; all of this is well done and features much of the stunt work in the film. I have to say it does appear to get a little lost once the main focus of the film is established. Once we do get there the scenes in and around the Casino are quite compelling and it is here that we actually get a feeling for how Daniel Craig portrays Bond. He has vulnerabilities that make him appear more human and this in turn gives the audience a chance to understand his motivations. I must admit I really enjoyed Craig’s portrayal and am looking forward to more of the same. As for the film as a whole; I very much enjoyed it. Very entertaining with everything we’ve come to expect from a Bond film, and more.

SteelMonster’s verdict: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

My score: 8.5/10

IMDb Score: 7.9/10 (based on 254,443 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0381061/

MetaScore: 81/100: (Based on 38 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 94/100 (based on 217 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 87/100 ‘Liked it’ (based on 602,204 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/casino_royale/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
James Bond: So you want me to be half-monk, half-hitman.
M: Any thug can kill. I need you to take your ego out of the equation.

Vesper Lynd: It doesn't bother you? Killing all those people?
James Bond: Well I wouldn't be very good at my job if it did.

James Bond: Dry Martini.
Bartender: Oui, monsieur.
James Bond: Wait... three measures of Gordon's; one of vodka; half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it over ice, and add a thin slice of lemon peel.
Bartender: Yes, sir.
Tomelli: You know, I'll have one of those.
Infante: So will I.
Bartender: Certainly.
Felix Leiter: My friend, bring me one as well, keep the fruit.
Le Chiffre: [annoyed] That's it? Hm? Anyone want to play poker now?
Felix Leiter: Someone's in a hurry.

Le Chiffre: [after striking Bond with a knotted rope] You know, I never understood all these elaborate tortures. It's the simplest thing... to cause more pain than a man can possibly endure.
[strikes Bond again, this time harder]
Le Chiffre: And of course, it's not only the immediate agony, but the knowledge... that if you do not yield soon enough... there will be little left to identify you as a man.
[drags up a stool, sits down next to Bond and slaps him on the cheek]
Le Chiffre: The only question remains: will you yield, in time?

M: You don't trust anyone, do you?
James Bond: No.
M: Then you've learned your lesson.

Mr. White: Hello?
James Bond: Mr. White? We need to talk.
Mr. White: Who is this?
[a shot rings out. White's leg is shattered. He drops to the ground in obvious pain and drags himself toward the house. He is stopped at the steps by the feet of a man in a suit. He looks up to see Bond with a cell phone in one hand and an assault weapon in the other]
James Bond: The name's Bond. James Bond.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.007.com/
Trailer: