Bond on blonde
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at 9:53 So, I finally got to see Skyfall last night.
I didn't see it at the IMAX in Waterloo, as originally intended, or even the Odeon Leicester Square where I have seen many Bond films going back several decades.
Instead I watched it with my daughter at Cineworld in Huntingdon at 5:40 on a cold, wet November afternoon. The auditorium was two-thirds empty, one couple could be heard talking throughout the quieter moments, and the rustle of sweet papers was occasionally so loud I thought someone was wrapping his Christmas presents.
Despite that I can repeat what hundreds of reviewers have already said – Skyfall is up there with the very best Bond films. And I should know because I've read most of them.
Two reviews I particularly enjoyed were James Bond from a Russian perspective (Daily Telegraph) and On Her Majesty’s Imperialist Service: Skyfall and the politics of 007 in 2012 (Fight Back! News).
Both are well worth reading.
Many reviewers have suggested that Skyfall was influenced by Christopher Logan's The Dark Knight, part of the Batman Begins trilogy. (Director Sam Mendes has, I think, admitted as much.)
To the best of my knowledge however no-one has mentioned that the final act in Skyfall resembles the final act in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two.
Raoul Silva is Lord Voldermort, Skyfall is Hogwarts, and M is Severus Snape (or even Dumbledore, although he died in the previous film).
Let me be clear, though. Skyfall is a much better film than any of the Harry Potter movies and here's why:
- Great cinematography
- Great soundtrack
- Good acting (even the minor characters)
- Simple plot
Er, that's it.
Reader Comments (2)
The thing about SkyFall is that it is a reboot of the franchise. The end of the film is the beginning. M is M, Moneypenny is Moneypenny and it's with pleasure that Bond does his job. Back to familiar ground, hopefully less corny than it was with Moore/Connery.
Bring back Roger
Bring back Sean
The silent majority identify with corn more than cyperspace and automation.
Daniel Craig is unreal
I wonder does M pay him danger money.