The Film Buff:
5/5 stars
After years of uncertainty, studio bankruptcy and a less than impressive box office display from its predecessor, Skyfall has arrived on screens.
As a classic Bond fan it might not be surprising that I share the common low opinion of Daniel Craig’s outings in the role. The ‘gritty-realistic’ fad of Hollywood threatened to squeeze out every drop of charm, cheese, suave and, let’s face it, fun that makes James Bond such a loved franchise.
Skyfall is much more of a love letter to classic Bond. From the very first shot, the first note in the score the nostalgia comes rushing back, and with a grin on your face you know you’re about to embark on a thrill ride reminiscent of the Connery days.
Daniel Craig finally seems the part of James Bond, gone is the brooding, replaced by magnetism and a glint in his eye, a perfect sweet spot between commanding and charming.
Javier Bardem plays what will doubtlessly go down as one of the all time best villains in Bond history in Silva. He’s subtle, sinister and all together creepy. It is his vendetta running the plot. The film has a very intimate feel, not a contrived end of the world threat but a tense personal affair.
The film is full of a host of top British acting talent, Naomie Harris (28 Days Later), Ben Whishaw (Layer Cake) and Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort) all giving strong performances. Special Mention must go to Dame Judi Dench, having portrayed M in 6 films previously, this is her crowning moment. Skyfall belongs to her just as much as Craig or Bardem.
Sam Mendes has created a truly beautifully shot, expertly directed film, leaving Skyfall undoubtedly one of the best Bonds of all time.
Carl Fisher
From the Bond Obsessive:
4/5 stars
In a four-year lifespan of a teenager, so much happens; GCSEs, A-Levels, the first time you get drunk, take drugs and fall in love. In the four years since Quantum of Solace, Bond has changed and so have the Bond films. Like the latter half of a teenager’s existence, new, transformative things have happened. For die-hards, they’ll see a return of elements of past James Bonds, but will have to contend with a different man.
Gone are the save-the-world-in-a-few-days plots. Bond’s task is to hunt down a person who has attacked MI6 and is threatening to leak information about agents who have infiltrated key terrorist organizations, threatening Britain’s national security. The trail leads him to Raoul Silva, a former MI6 agent with a personal grudge against M.
The biggest quality that Daniel Craig’s Bond brings to Skyfall is timelessness. Here is a Bond with his old witty quips and lethalness, but no dogmas. We see Bond’s stiff upper lip crumble. For all his ability to be cold and kill without feeling guilty, we see the semblance of a soul. You’ll have to watch to the end of the film to see it come out, but it’ll be worth the wait.
There aren’t too many action sequences, which gives time for the plot to develop, something that Quantum of Solace failed to achieve. And despite the return of Q (Ben Whishaw), the gadgetry is minimalistic, ensuring the film is not overblown.
The very limited use of special effects and focus on classical actors like Albert Finney and Ralph Fiennes and their dialogue, doesn’t treat the audience as if they are all 11 year olds. Instead of trying to impress with bursts of violence, the film felt all the more British.
Harry Wise
From the Bond Newbie:
4/5 stars
I’m not entirely sure how I managed to get to twenty years old without ever sitting down and watching a Bond film, but this was the shocking admission I made two weeks ago. I was half expecting to be cast out from Britain for treason, but once the outrage faded it was decided Skyfall would be my first foray into the world of 007. Luckily for me, I was not left disappointed.
Having always imagined Bond films to be a sea of car chases, expensive-looking suits, pretty girls and martinis, it can’t be said that my preconceptions were entirely wrong. The film opens with a spectacular action scene that quickly descends into chaos before launching into Adele’s eponymous theme for the stunning opening credits. From then on, its non-stop thrills and spills, but I was pleased to find far more depth to Skyfall than I’d expected. The plot is solid, the dialogue maintains a balance between glorious displays of British wit and believable character exchanges, and it is clear Sam Mendes has put his heart and soul into directing. But for me, the acting is where Skyfall really excels.
Javier Bardem is somehow both deliciously camp and genuinely menacing as the villain Silva, and the supporting cast of Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, and Bond stalwart Judi Dench are fantastic. As for the man himself, I’ve always had my reservations about Daniel Craig as Bond, but I’m forced to eat my words. He plays the moody, almost reluctant secret agent perfectly, adding depth and a moral ambiguity to the character; this is a hero you care about. This is Bond for the twenty-first century.
If like me you’re a newcomer to Bond, Skyfall doesn’t rely on an extensive prior knowledge of franchise past. For sceptics, I asked my brother (and Bond superfan) for his verdict: ‘Best Bond in years’. So there you have it; I’ll raise a Heineken to Skyfall, and keep my fingers crossed this is the dawning of a new age for 007.
Hannah Woodhead