Movie review: Skyfall (2012)
Double 0 seven (007) reporting for duty…ahh, yes, Daniel Craig is back as James Bond in the twenty-third spy film in James Bond series, entitled ‘Skyfall’. This latest instalment also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the very popular fictional character of Bond which is first introduced from film ‘Dr. No’ in 1962. I have watched some of the Bond’s films, including all the previous two starred by Daniel Craig, ‘Casino Royale’ and ‘Quantum of Solace’. From there on, I find Daniel Craig is the perfect pick for the very famous character in history of British film industry.
In ‘Skyfall’, James Bond (Daniel Craig) returns to destroy the threat to M (Judi Dench), Bond’s commanding officer and MI6 overall posed by one of the former agents, Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem) who had turned into cyber-terrorist. Do you know why the film is given the title of ‘Skyfall’. That actually refers to Bond’s remote childhood home in Scotland where Bond brought M back to the place to hide from threat as shown in the film. (Sorry for little spoiler) The film is released with overwhelming positive review. After I watched it just now, I find that the movie is good, but for me, it will not reach such an excellent rating as recorded from various polls and reviewers.
Daniel Craig never disappoints portraying as James Bond. He had the awesomeness in his expressions and physical gestures accompanied with superb acting and ‘cool’ quality in him that made him fits for this iconic character very well. I remembered a scene from the beginning of this film where he jumps from a crane to inside a train (that’s a very dangerous action) and still looks calm straight away after landed into the train and even had the mood to pull off his sleeves within a split second.
That is just too cool. Another character I wish to compliment would be M, portrayed by Judi Dench. Judi had been in a number of Bond’s films for 17 years as M, the head of MI6. She had a commitment to this character and she portrayed it well. Too bad, her character dies in the end of this film. That’s quite emotional in the end, and even Bond cried over the loss of M who had faith and trust on him for so many years.
What’s disappointing for me from this film would be its story development. The film started off very well, with some action-packed scenes right away at Turkey. So, it gives me the mood that it’s going to be a thrilling ride all the way to the end. However, it wasn’t. That typical chasing scenes in the beginning which everyone loves to watch was quick. Then, I wait and wait and wait. Not much action scenes shown anymore. It’s all about normal story development in a slow pace that gets me bored. There is only a little of actions from several parts; in a skyscraper at Shanghai, in a casino at Macau, and in London’s underground subway and tunnel. It’s like flying all over the world with minimal impact to the intensity of the story. Pointless.
It’s the ending part that only gives us the climax, and even that is not the extreme or best that Bond could offer us. Several gun shooting and explosion of the whole house of Skyfall. That’s it. Nothing really impressive. I thought the character of Silva, the main antagonist would gives more tough challenges to test Bond to the limit and to bring Bond’s film to greater height with more deadly villain to overcome. But in the end, he gets finished easily. Another disappointment.
On the other hand, it’s good to bring back some Bond’s classic like its popular soundtrack, antique car, and knife which is the weapon that kills Silva in the end and not those modern guns (sorry for another spoiler) to this film. It’s quite nostalgic. And Adele’s theme song complements this movie in a very unique way. It’s a very nice song. Overall, the movie is still worth-watching especially for James Bond’s fans, but isn’t really that thrilling or exciting. It’s not that impressive as compared to several other previous Bond films like ‘Casino Royale’. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘Skyfall’ a total of 7.0.
Double 0 seven (007) reporting for duty…ahh, yes, Daniel Craig is back as James Bond in the twenty-third spy film in James Bond series, entitled ‘Skyfall’. This latest instalment also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the very popular fictional character of Bond which is first introduced from film ‘Dr. No’ in 1962. I have watched some of the Bond’s films, including all the previous two starred by Daniel Craig, ‘Casino Royale’ and ‘Quantum of Solace’. From there on, I find Daniel Craig is the perfect pick for the very famous character in history of British film industry.
In ‘Skyfall’, James Bond (Daniel Craig) returns to destroy the threat to M (Judi Dench), Bond’s commanding officer and MI6 overall posed by one of the former agents, Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem) who had turned into cyber-terrorist. Do you know why the film is given the title of ‘Skyfall’. That actually refers to Bond’s remote childhood home in Scotland where Bond brought M back to the place to hide from threat as shown in the film. (Sorry for little spoiler) The film is released with overwhelming positive review. After I watched it just now, I find that the movie is good, but for me, it will not reach such an excellent rating as recorded from various polls and reviewers.
Daniel Craig never disappoints portraying as James Bond. He had the awesomeness in his expressions and physical gestures accompanied with superb acting and ‘cool’ quality in him that made him fits for this iconic character very well. I remembered a scene from the beginning of this film where he jumps from a crane to inside a train (that’s a very dangerous action) and still looks calm straight away after landed into the train and even had the mood to pull off his sleeves within a split second.
That is just too cool. Another character I wish to compliment would be M, portrayed by Judi Dench. Judi had been in a number of Bond’s films for 17 years as M, the head of MI6. She had a commitment to this character and she portrayed it well. Too bad, her character dies in the end of this film. That’s quite emotional in the end, and even Bond cried over the loss of M who had faith and trust on him for so many years.
What’s disappointing for me from this film would be its story development. The film started off very well, with some action-packed scenes right away at Turkey. So, it gives me the mood that it’s going to be a thrilling ride all the way to the end. However, it wasn’t. That typical chasing scenes in the beginning which everyone loves to watch was quick. Then, I wait and wait and wait. Not much action scenes shown anymore. It’s all about normal story development in a slow pace that gets me bored. There is only a little of actions from several parts; in a skyscraper at Shanghai, in a casino at Macau, and in London’s underground subway and tunnel. It’s like flying all over the world with minimal impact to the intensity of the story. Pointless.
It’s the ending part that only gives us the climax, and even that is not the extreme or best that Bond could offer us. Several gun shooting and explosion of the whole house of Skyfall. That’s it. Nothing really impressive. I thought the character of Silva, the main antagonist would gives more tough challenges to test Bond to the limit and to bring Bond’s film to greater height with more deadly villain to overcome. But in the end, he gets finished easily. Another disappointment.
On the other hand, it’s good to bring back some Bond’s classic like its popular soundtrack, antique car, and knife which is the weapon that kills Silva in the end and not those modern guns (sorry for another spoiler) to this film. It’s quite nostalgic. And Adele’s theme song complements this movie in a very unique way. It’s a very nice song. Overall, the movie is still worth-watching especially for James Bond’s fans, but isn’t really that thrilling or exciting. It’s not that impressive as compared to several other previous Bond films like ‘Casino Royale’. Out of 10 points, I rate ‘Skyfall’ a total of 7.0.
