Post by jwitt on Nov 13, 2012 23:30:03 GMT -5
Daniel Craig in Skyfall.
Rating: ★★★★
STEVE PULASKI'S NOTE: This review is written by Josh Witt, a great friend of mine who agreed to see and review Skyfall for my website.
Let me preface this review with one thing, I am not a film critic. I am no discerning connoisseur of celluloid. My hobbies do not include discussing the merits and demerits of a movie. What I am is an avid fan of the James Bond series, so when Steve asked me to review the movie, well, how could I refuse? Since I really have no other reviews to reference against, whatever star rating I give Skyfall is completely arbitrary. So letâs go with four stars. What is important though, is that upon leaving the theater I was satisfied. I was pleased. I was overjoyed. Alright, I jumped out of my seat. Skyfall met and exceeded my expectations.
Right from the opening sequence in Istanbul, Skyfall didnât pull any punches. It started out with the extravagant set pieces that James Bond is known for and properly delivered. Charged with stopping a mercenary named Patrice, James Bond (Craig) does properly James Bond things, such as driving a motorcycle across the rooftops of Istanbul and using a big-rig to stop a train. And all that in the first ten minutes of the movie. What more could I ask for?
As an interlude to the opening sequence and the film we are treated to the opening theme "Skyfall," performed by Adele. While I doubt it will have the permanence that "Live and Let Die" has, "Skyfall" is a befitting theme to a series known for its strong themes. (What is more iconic than the James Bond theme, after all?) It easily matches "You Know My Name," by Chris Cornell. The opening credits are in typical fashion, psychedelic, filled with silhouettes of women and James Bond shooting countless shadowy figures. Seen in it are the motifs of skulls and flames, which further recur in the film.
The entire movie delivers on pacing, properly balancing thrilling action sequences with tense drama and gripping narrative. Dispersed through the movie are the classic one-liners Bond is famous for, a satisfying nod to the old Bond movies.
Daniel Craig reprises his role as James Bond, and once again does an excellent job. (I still canât decide whether Craig or Connery plays the best Bond. In truth, they play two very different characters.) He properly captures the weariness that Bond feels in this movie. Daniel Craig plays Bond in an age where spies are made redundant by the prevalence of computers in society and lack of defined enemies. In his role, he plays on the savagery and cunning it takes to fight a war where you donât know your enemies, all at the same time being the debonair devil that James Bond is supposed to be. (Taking down several thugs in 30 seconds in a tuxedo? Thatâs cool. Where do I become James Bond?) And even pushing 50, Daniel Craig still looks like he is a super spy. Aged whilst still jacked.
But the real joy of the film was the antagonist, Raoul Silva, played by Javier Bardem. Silva is a force of nature, a cyber-terrorist constantly one step ahead of our hero. Bardem really has a talent for playing unhinged and inhuman characters, Silva being reminiscent of Anton Chigurh, Bardemâs role in No Country For Old Men. While not quite as frightening as Chigurh, Bardem captures the idea of a spring coiled and ready to break in Silva. He really is quite an unpredictable character.
Skyfall was a satisfying return to roots for James Bond. While I love the direction New Bond took with Casino Royale, they are certainly different movies from the Connery to Brosnan era. Skyfall manages to capture the charm of those older movies without forsaking the seriousness that makes the newer generation delightfully good movies. The main antagonist, Silva, has the same amount of campiness that was possessed by Blofeld and other iconic bond villains. At the same time, he is still a frightening character that can be taken seriously during the tense sections of the movie. Skyfall has countless nods to the older movies, almost bordering on obtrusive. Characters missing in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, namely Q and Moneypenny, are both introduced. Finally, as a friend of mine told me, a James Bond movie isnât a James Bond movie unless James Bond does James Bond things while the James Bond theme plays. (Wowâ¦) Fear not! We hear the iconic theme in multiple befitting parts of the movie. It does an excellent job of swelling the drama and mood, I remember the last time it happens I was jumping out of my seat.
My review may seem a little lacking in faults, and thatâs because I found almost no faults in it. Remember, Iâm not a critic. Iâm a James Bond fan, and as a James Bond fan, Skyfall delivered. It was an entertaining movie that balanced its roots with the traits that has given New Bond its success. I donât regret the $9.50 I spent on the movie at all. Watch it; youâll leave the theater happy.
Starring: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Ben Wishaw, and Naomie Harris. Directed by: Sam Mendes.