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The fact that Skyfall "is already being hailed as the best Bond film ever made" may be more a sign of the times than of its inherent quality. We're in a cinematic era where fun is immature, and dark and depressing is automatically equated with depth and weight. More and more, it's a plot requirement for heroes - and superheroes - to be brought broken to their knees and then claw their way back to their former glory. Take a beloved character and give it some implausible heart-wrenching story, and suddenly you have a "critically acclaimed" "best XXX film ever".
Of course, in reality most films are just trying to emulate the trajectory of Nolan's Batman films. Apparently, nothing impresses critiCs more than a supposedly mindless franchise unexpectedly embued with some tragedy-laden back story, and out of nowhere it becomes "heightened realism".
All that's said, Skyfall is an enjoyable movie in most parts. It's a very contemporary film, in that possibly in no other era would you get a Bond who apparently experienced childhood trauma that is yet unresolved, and creepy homoerotic bantering with the villain. At the same time, it is the good ol' British stoicism and the good "old ways" that win.
Never has the sense of age featured so prominently in a mainstream super/hero franchise. The camera lingers thoughtfully on the deep wrinkles beside Craig's eyes or on Dench's face. It's amazing to think that Dame Judi Dench has played M since 1995. To put M at the forefront of the story is a stroke of genius and I'm not surprised at all the "M is the best Bond girl" quips on the net. The relationship between Bond and M is certainly very watchable. Unfortunately (or fortunately), Dench's acting and presence far overshadows that of the other Bond girl, the short-lived Severine whose liasions with Bond feels perfunctory at best. I'm not even sure to include Miss Moneypenny on the Bond girls list, though it's nice to see Naomi Harris again on the big screen.
It's a good movie, but not without plot weaknesses, and its tone is a bit of an anomaly in Bond movies. The action feels secondary, and this version of Bond may just be a little too fallible for such an icon.
I am in love with Craig's pretty eyes, as usual. WHAT. I HAVE A BLUE EYE FETISH OKAY.
Of course, in reality most films are just trying to emulate the trajectory of Nolan's Batman films. Apparently, nothing impresses critiCs more than a supposedly mindless franchise unexpectedly embued with some tragedy-laden back story, and out of nowhere it becomes "heightened realism".
All that's said, Skyfall is an enjoyable movie in most parts. It's a very contemporary film, in that possibly in no other era would you get a Bond who apparently experienced childhood trauma that is yet unresolved, and creepy homoerotic bantering with the villain. At the same time, it is the good ol' British stoicism and the good "old ways" that win.
Never has the sense of age featured so prominently in a mainstream super/hero franchise. The camera lingers thoughtfully on the deep wrinkles beside Craig's eyes or on Dench's face. It's amazing to think that Dame Judi Dench has played M since 1995. To put M at the forefront of the story is a stroke of genius and I'm not surprised at all the "M is the best Bond girl" quips on the net. The relationship between Bond and M is certainly very watchable. Unfortunately (or fortunately), Dench's acting and presence far overshadows that of the other Bond girl, the short-lived Severine whose liasions with Bond feels perfunctory at best. I'm not even sure to include Miss Moneypenny on the Bond girls list, though it's nice to see Naomi Harris again on the big screen.
It's a good movie, but not without plot weaknesses, and its tone is a bit of an anomaly in Bond movies. The action feels secondary, and this version of Bond may just be a little too fallible for such an icon.
I am in love with Craig's pretty eyes, as usual. WHAT. I HAVE A BLUE EYE FETISH OKAY.
