Just felt predictable, bland, pointless and full of cheap cameos and ideas. I quite liked the new Q, and I liked the introduction (up until "Take the bloody shot!", which I must admit was an awesome line!).
Whatever happened to the beauty, confidence and complexity of Casino and Quantum? How on EARTH did we end up with this?
I mean I know the budget got slashed but it feels like they cut the stuff that makes Bond awesome like amazing locations, complex storylines or almost anything. All we have left are clichés and what appears to be a dying series.
Guys sort it out... this movie was seriously depressing.
Truly a "skyfall"!
Hopefully it's just "recession depression" and the series will be back to strength once the economy has recovered!
On the plus side, I bought GoldenEye and Dr. No on DVD to make myself feel a bit better!
2.5 / 5 "
Opinions?
I think you sell yourself short when you say it is a 'bit' lame. It is far from a bit.
"And if I told you that I'm from the Ministry of Defence?" James Bond - The Property of a Lady
Just felt predictable, bland, pointless and full of cheap cameos and ideas. I quite liked the new Q, and I liked the introduction (up until "Take the bloody shot!", which I must admit was an awesome line!).
Whatever happened to the beauty, confidence and complexity of Casino and Quantum? How on EARTH did we end up with this?
I mean I know the budget got slashed but it feels like they cut the stuff that makes Bond awesome like amazing locations, complex storylines or almost anything. All we have left are clichés and what appears to be a dying series.
Guys sort it out... this movie was seriously depressing.
Truly a "skyfall"!
Hopefully it's just "recession depression" and the series will be back to strength once the economy has recovered!
On the plus side, I bought GoldenEye and Dr. No on DVD to make myself feel a bit better!
2.5 / 5 "
Opinions?
I think you sell yourself short when you say it is a 'bit' lame. It is far from a bit.
I rather liked Skyfall. I'm sure this is not an original thought, but I keep thinking about SF in terms of the finale of a three film arc that speaks to the creation of the Bond character.
By the time the film(s):
[list=*]
[*]We've got a Bond that's experienced loss and betrayal in terms of Vesper in CR. This, of course, contributes to Bond's future coldness toward women. "The bitch is dead."[/*]
[*]A Bond with unceasing dedication to his job and his country. He knows M's lies and "sins" (including giving Silva up and ordering Eve to "take the bloody shot"), and remains devoted.[/*]
[*]A matured Bond. Any unresolved childhood issues have been put to rest, and he is now clearly a well-seasoned agent. [/*]
[*]A Bond that failed to protect one of his closest allies. M still died.[/*]
[*]A male M (not saying this is better or worse -- just more "classic) that seems to have Bond's respect.[/*]
[*]A piss-ant Q with whom Bond can quarrel[/*]
[*]A Miss Moneypenny that will surely be using innuendo ceaselessly[/*]
[/list]
Oh, I'm sure there's more I could add, but I dare not prattle on.
What's all this lead up to? A 4th DC Bond film that has a fully developed James Bond character with all the classic elements in place. Maybe a one-off mission with a crazed antagonist bent on world domination, a few used and tossed away vixens, some glib remarks, pithy comebacks, etc. etc.
Skyfall is said by some to be the best of the Daniel Craig "Bond" films. But that is comparable to having the best form of toenail fungus. lame Lame Lame LAME! This whole reboot idea has been terrible from the beginning.
In CR, we see Bond getting his 00 status, he's brand new, he's flawed, I get that, and kinda liked it. QoS felt like CR 2.0, all the action scenes clipped from CR and left on the cutting room floor stitched together with no real story to hold it together, absolutely terrible, unwatchable. Now in the 3rd film, we hear a constant barrage of "you're old, you're washed up, you're tired". Bond suddenly can't shoot straight, is winded after a couple laps, and looks to be ready for AARP benefits. After 3 missions? The end of the movie, as has been said, felt like a Home Alone movie, and Severnine, while easily the best looking of the Craig films girls, was useless.
I personally had the movie figured out just listening to Adele's fantastic song. Her song and the silhouette fight scene being the only good parts of the film. Sitting in the theater I heard "when the Skyfalls... When it crumbles... we will stand tall...and face it all together...at Skyfall" And thought "Hmmm, so the climax will be at someplace called Skyfall, where it will be a Pyrrhic victory." "Skyfall is where we start" So...origin story, perhaps a birthplace? "where worlds collide and days are dark..." So something from Bonds past will show up to meet his present during the climax of the film. See what I mean? The whole thing is like that.
And to top it all off, the bad guy WON! All he wanted to do, the whole point of motivation for Silva, was taking M's life. AND SHE DIED! Bond Defeated. Then it's like nothing changed! I mean seriously, "well Cdmr Bond, looks like you didn't pass your physical, you're all washed up after 3 missions, and now, by going against orders and kidnapping your boss, you've managed to get her killed. Congratulations and Welcome back to the Service!"
Also, the reboot can't seem to find a direction. "It's all new, except for the part that isn't" "Here's Bonds beginning, let's reference stuff from 50 years ago" If your going to start over, then start over. The DB5 didn't make a lick of sense, shouldn't have been there. Is this the car he won in the poker game in CR? If so, and he then had it retrofitted with gadgets, why would a modern Bond choose gadgets from the 60's? Or are we saying he had 2 Astons? One modified and one stock? "So Cmdr, We feel you don't need any gadgets, here is your gun and radio" " I beg to differ sir. I would like some 50 year old tech to complement my complete lack of ability to apprehend my target and my questionable marksmanship." No wonder M died... 8-)
A lot has been made of the financial success of SF, I say so what. Tickets now cost 10x what they did when Connery was making Bond films. I would be interested to see actual number of tickets sold between Goldfinger :x or Thunderball :x , and Skyfall X-( . A lot has been said about the Critical success of SF. Again I say so what. IMHO, the best way to find a good film is to avoid what the critics loved.
And finally, we come to the biggest problem with Skyfall, Daniel Craig. Look at him, just really look at him. This man looks like he was hit in the face with an ugly stick, staggered back, slammed his head against the ugly tree, and had two ugly apples fall off and hit him in each ear. Honestly look at him and tell me that he would be Bond if he weren't ripped. If you can, you need to get your eyes checked. Some might say "Oh but he's such a good actor" WHAT?! It's like watching Kevin Costner in Robin Hood! Every line is delivered with the same deadpan monotone. Whether he's being shaved by the woman who shot him, or about to shoot a glass off someone's head, just recovered from a poison induced heart attack, or defending his ancestral estate. I've heard more emotion from a garage door opener. The one exception to this was the bottomless chair torture scene in CR (IMO, the best Craig film). His face is a frozen mask, the same liver lipped, half angry, half clueless look he always has. Everything about Craigs films feels forced. From too many one liners and quips to trying to start over by dredging up the past.
I cannot bring myself to call Craig's films Bond films. They feel like Bourne films without the interesting aspect of amnesia. I hope and pray that somebody gets wise and just ends the misery. If you have to continue with the reboot direction, just stop now. I for one, will never see another Craig film. I might be lured back to a Bond Film, however.
You know, I found SF pretty meh in the cinema, having watched it now again and started getting a bit warmer with it and now your review.
IMO you make some valid points about SF and Craig - it's not as intensely bad like you say but I enjoyed that review. I hope that you don't like Dalton, too
You've forgotten to mention something: That Shanghai fight with the lights and stuff looked so comic martial art, I hardly can believe that the stunt doubles knew what they where doing. I have the feeling, they only had a green screen and a rap song from 50 cent and tried to do something. IMO it really looks bad.
* and just for the record: I enjoy Craig as Bond - but that does not keep me away from laughing about that review.
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I'm waiting for the DVD to be released over here so I can watch it a few more times to see if it grows on me. But for now, yes, I agree with a lot of what RogueAgent007 is saying. I had high hopes after CR.
Enjoyed RogueAgent's review, great stuff. Reminded me of a very negative review for CR I did back in the day, and maybe still on the CR thread.
However, I think SF has surpassed TB's box office with ticket prices adjusted for inflation. Just the way it goes, China is a market now and of course the population is a lot higher, with maybe more going to the cinema in terms of demographics than back then.
However, I think SF has surpassed TB's box office with ticket prices adjusted for inflation. Just the way it goes, China is a market now and of course the population is a lot higher, with maybe more going to the cinema in terms of demographics than back then.
Or just maybe quite a few people actually enjoyed the film?? I do think that DC has succeeded in bringing a new audience in to the cinema to see Bond films who weren't previously interested in the character / premise.
I appreciate that not every film can be everyone's cup of tea, us fans like / dislike certain Bonds & the goings on in the movies to date. However the gist of feedback that I've had from non-Bond fans is that the more recent DC films have been enjoyable to them as there's little cheese, silly gimmicky toys, there's more apparent realism to the films & the lead guy actually looks like he knows how to fight his way out of a paper bag. I certainly don't see the Bourne connection, but perhaps I'm blinded by the fact that I'm there to solely see Bond.
Personally speaking CR has been my favourite Bond to date and SF is certainly up there in my top 6. I therefore don't subscribe to RogueAgent's views (quite the opposite in fact), but each to their own. Maybe I'm in the minority with my thoughts!!
If you're in the minority, then I'm right there with you in terms of enjoying Skyfall and Craig's other Bond films. He's not my favorite, but he's in the top three (Connery, Craig, Dalton OR Connery, Dalton, Craig depending on which film I've seen most recently). RogueAgent's views about Craig are at the opposite end of the spectrum from mine. Such is the world of AJB!
However, I think SF has surpassed TB's box office with ticket prices adjusted for inflation. Just the way it goes, China is a market now and of course the population is a lot higher, with maybe more going to the cinema in terms of demographics than back then.
Or just maybe quite a few people actually enjoyed the film?? I do think that DC has succeeded in bringing a new audience in to the cinema to see Bond films who weren't previously interested in the character / premise.
I appreciate that not every film can be everyone's cup of tea, us fans like / dislike certain Bonds & the goings on in the movies to date. However the gist of feedback that I've had from non-Bond fans is that the more recent DC films have been enjoyable to them as there's little cheese, silly gimmicky toys, there's more apparent realism to the films & the lead guy actually looks like he knows how to fight his way out of a paper bag. I certainly don't see the Bourne connection, but perhaps I'm blinded by the fact that I'm there to solely see Bond.
Personally speaking CR has been my favourite Bond to date and SF is certainly up there in my top 6. I therefore don't subscribe to RogueAgent's views (quite the opposite in fact), but each to their own. Maybe I'm in the minority with my thoughts!!
My feelings on Craig are as follows: anybody know what George Lazenby has been up to lately?
I realize that I am in the minority here. But I truly feel that Craig is the worst Bond ever. I love character. I want to learn about this person. What is he feeling as he is doing these things? You see that with Connery, Dalton, and Brosnan. Even a little bit with Moore. (BTW that's 1-4 for me) All that Craig brings is a bulldozer. Watch Goldfinger, the scene where Bond received the Nazi Gold to tempt Goldfinger with. Can you honestly picture Craig pulling off the line about diagnosing what's wrong with the brandy? That suave gentility has been completely swept aside and replaced with something akin to Schwartznegger's Terminator or Commando. I keep expecting to see Craig in dark glasses saying "Ah'll be back"
The Bourne connection is very real. Part of the reason they changed to Craig in the first place was the success of Bourne. Watch the fight choreography in the Bourne movies, esp. #2, then watch any of the Craig's esp. QoS. Instead of sticking with Bond they now make Bourne movies with an Aston Martin. Now I like Bourne, but I love Bond.
Also, Craig seems incapable of changing the expression on that ugly mug. He seriously looks like he would need no makeup to play a zombie. And if you think i'm harsh, you should hear my 14 year old rip on him!
People seem to forget that one of the highest grossing Bond film ever was DAD. And while it is not my favorite, it was critically haled as the Best Bond Ever for a time. As long as tickets needed to be sold that is.
Thing is, there was a balanced joy and sadness to Brosnan's Bond, a subtle menace to Connery, a dark edge to Dalton balanced by suave style, and Moore was just fun. Even old George overcame his deficiencies and didn't destroy a good story. Craig? It's like watching one villain trying to kill another villain. You really don't want either to win and deep down I'm hoping both die in the end. As one guy posted, I realize I'm in for a long bit of misery. But as far as I'm concerned, the last Bond movie was DAD.
There is nothing I have seen any other Bond actor do that Craig can't do, except perhaps some of the sillier Roger Moore jokes. As for his looks, while it's true he not a pretty boy like Moore or Brosnan, and he doesn't have the same type of rugged good looks as Connery, I know quite a few women who find Daniel Craig very attractive. Of course attractiveness is largely subjective, but I think I'll take the opinions of these women over yours and your 14 year old's any time. Really, if all you can perceive from Craig's portrayal is a bulldozer, it seems to me that perhaps you're not paying close enough attention. But that's just me.
My feelings on Craig are as follows: anybody know what George Lazenby has been up to lately?
I realize that I am in the minority here. But I truly feel that Craig is the worst Bond ever. I love character. I want to learn about this person. What is he feeling as he is doing these things? You see that with Connery, Dalton, and Brosnan. Even a little bit with Moore. (BTW that's 1-4 for me) All that Craig brings is a bulldozer. Watch Goldfinger, the scene where Bond received the Nazi Gold to tempt Goldfinger with. Can you honestly picture Craig pulling off the line about diagnosing what's wrong with the brandy? That suave gentility has been completely swept aside and replaced with something akin to Schwartznegger's Terminator or Commando. I keep expecting to see Craig in dark glasses saying "Ah'll be back"
The Bourne connection is very real. Part of the reason they changed to Craig in the first place was the success of Bourne. Watch the fight choreography in the Bourne movies, esp. #2, then watch any of the Craig's esp. QoS. Instead of sticking with Bond they now make Bourne movies with an Aston Martin. Now I like Bourne, but I love Bond.
Also, Craig seems incapable of changing the expression on that ugly mug. He seriously looks like he would need no makeup to play a zombie. And if you think i'm harsh, you should hear my 14 year old rip on him!
People seem to forget that one of the highest grossing Bond film ever was DAD. And while it is not my favorite, it was critically haled as the Best Bond Ever for a time. As long as tickets needed to be sold that is.
Thing is, there was a balanced joy and sadness to Brosnan's Bond, a subtle menace to Connery, a dark edge to Dalton balanced by suave style, and Moore was just fun. Even old George overcame his deficiencies and didn't destroy a good story. Craig? It's like watching one villain trying to kill another villain. You really don't want either to win and deep down I'm hoping both die in the end. As one guy posted, I realize I'm in for a long bit of misery. But as far as I'm concerned, the last Bond movie was DAD.
I will admit to perhaps indulging in some hyperbole to express my distaste, it is a weakness of mine. Forgive me. And I have seen some glimmers of ability. As I said before CR had some parts, like the bottomless chair, in which we see some ability. But what has happened is that the part is becoming more about the killing and less about everything else that makes Bond, Bond.
Connery was threatening, Dalton was hard edged, but both balanced the character. Ever since CR, the little that was there is gone. And I , for one, mourn it.
There is nothing I have seen any other Bond actor do that Craig can't do, except perhaps some of the sillier Roger Moore jokes. As for his looks, while it's true he not a pretty boy like Moore or Brosnan, and he doesn't have the same type of rugged good looks as Connery, I know quite a few women who find Daniel Craig very attractive. Of course attractiveness is largely subjective, but I think I'll take the opinions of these women over yours and your 14 year old's any time. Really, if all you can perceive from Craig's portrayal is a bulldozer, it seems to me that perhaps you're not paying close enough attention. But that's just me.
My feelings on Craig are as follows: anybody know what George Lazenby has been up to lately?
I realize that I am in the minority here. But I truly feel that Craig is the worst Bond ever. I love character. I want to learn about this person. What is he feeling as he is doing these things? You see that with Connery, Dalton, and Brosnan. Even a little bit with Moore. (BTW that's 1-4 for me) All that Craig brings is a bulldozer. Watch Goldfinger, the scene where Bond received the Nazi Gold to tempt Goldfinger with. Can you honestly picture Craig pulling off the line about diagnosing what's wrong with the brandy? That suave gentility has been completely swept aside and replaced with something akin to Schwartznegger's Terminator or Commando. I keep expecting to see Craig in dark glasses saying "Ah'll be back"
The Bourne connection is very real. Part of the reason they changed to Craig in the first place was the success of Bourne. Watch the fight choreography in the Bourne movies, esp. #2, then watch any of the Craig's esp. QoS. Instead of sticking with Bond they now make Bourne movies with an Aston Martin. Now I like Bourne, but I love Bond.
Also, Craig seems incapable of changing the expression on that ugly mug. He seriously looks like he would need no makeup to play a zombie. And if you think i'm harsh, you should hear my 14 year old rip on him!
People seem to forget that one of the highest grossing Bond film ever was DAD. And while it is not my favorite, it was critically haled as the Best Bond Ever for a time. As long as tickets needed to be sold that is.
Thing is, there was a balanced joy and sadness to Brosnan's Bond, a subtle menace to Connery, a dark edge to Dalton balanced by suave style, and Moore was just fun. Even old George overcame his deficiencies and didn't destroy a good story. Craig? It's like watching one villain trying to kill another villain. You really don't want either to win and deep down I'm hoping both die in the end. As one guy posted, I realize I'm in for a long bit of misery. But as far as I'm concerned, the last Bond movie was DAD.
Dear BL. You know that I respect your opinions, but Daniel has not displayed the classy quality yet, that suave sense of cool. I keep hoping for it, as I'm sure it's a choice rather than capability.His bond can be a bit of a one note affair with little light and shade and is more thug than gentlemen. Bond needs to be a velvet hammer, it's what differentiates him from the legion of hard cases.
To be fair, Craig is just a different kind of guy. He's less narcissitic, okay he has to be, but the other Bonds had a bit of the big I-Am about them. In a way, that was the joke, though Dalton didn't pick up on that so the joke didn't work.
Craig is trying to be different, but no, he doesn't have that movie star thing where I want to be him, or even relate to him much. For me, it's like watching Batman. Intresting, but I never want to be that guy, he's a tortured soul. He never really does a one-liner, a zinger, where I think, wow, I'd love to say that, where there's that uplift of the heart, that recognition.
Now, a lot of fans, to their credit, never wanted to be Bond or assume that kind of suavity either, you can say they lead their own lives and escapism is less of a factor. So Craig is less jarring for them.
It's like different interpreations of Hamlet. But some may want to be that guy, when others don't.
My feelings on Craig are as follows: anybody know what George Lazenby has been up to lately?
I realize that I am in the minority here. But I truly feel that Craig is the worst Bond ever. I love character. I want to learn about this person. What is he feeling as he is doing these things? You see that with Connery, Dalton, and Brosnan. Even a little bit with Moore. (BTW that's 1-4 for me) All that Craig brings is a bulldozer. Watch Goldfinger, the scene where Bond received the Nazi Gold to tempt Goldfinger with. Can you honestly picture Craig pulling off the line about diagnosing what's wrong with the brandy? That suave gentility has been completely swept aside and replaced with something akin to Schwartznegger's Terminator or Commando. I keep expecting to see Craig in dark glasses saying "Ah'll be back"
The Bourne connection is very real. Part of the reason they changed to Craig in the first place was the success of Bourne. Watch the fight choreography in the Bourne movies, esp. #2, then watch any of the Craig's esp. QoS. Instead of sticking with Bond they now make Bourne movies with an Aston Martin. Now I like Bourne, but I love Bond.
Also, Craig seems incapable of changing the expression on that ugly mug. He seriously looks like he would need no makeup to play a zombie. And if you think i'm harsh, you should hear my 14 year old rip on him!
People seem to forget that one of the highest grossing Bond film ever was DAD. And while it is not my favorite, it was critically haled as the Best Bond Ever for a time. As long as tickets needed to be sold that is.
Thing is, there was a balanced joy and sadness to Brosnan's Bond, a subtle menace to Connery, a dark edge to Dalton balanced by suave style, and Moore was just fun. Even old George overcame his deficiencies and didn't destroy a good story. Craig? It's like watching one villain trying to kill another villain. You really don't want either to win and deep down I'm hoping both die in the end. As one guy posted, I realize I'm in for a long bit of misery. But as far as I'm concerned, the last Bond movie was DAD.
even though DC is my absolute favorite Bond, I have to agree with some of your points here, when i watched skyfall recently I noticed that Craig basically has a stern look on his face the entire film and barely ever changes it, it would be nice to see some more range of expression. And the bulldozer thing kinda gets on my nerves too, for Craig's bond being viewed as more "human", he certainly comes off as indestructible physically.
I'm not Craig's biggest fan But have to say I found his portrayal of Bond in Skyfall
to be his Best yet. At times he walked with a swagger, smiled at a few jokes. and his
word play with Eve was great.
I'd agree in QOS he had a stern look for most of it. I feel he decided to have some
fun with skyfall, might have something with having S Mendes to Direct.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
To be fair, Craig is just a different kind of guy. He's less narcissitic, okay he has to be, but the other Bonds had a bit of the big I-Am about them. In a way, that was the joke, though Dalton didn't pick up on that so the joke didn't work.
Craig is trying to be different, but no, he doesn't have that movie star thing where I want to be him, or even relate to him much. For me, it's like watching Batman. Intresting, but I never want to be that guy, he's a tortured soul. He never really does a one-liner, a zinger, where I think, wow, I'd love to say that, where there's that uplift of the heart, that recognition.
Now, a lot of fans, to their credit, never wanted to be Bond or assume that kind of suavity either, you can say they lead their own lives and escapism is less of a factor. So Craig is less jarring for them.
It's like different interpreations of Hamlet. But some may want to be that guy, when others don't.
Ouch! the not so veiled meaning is that those of us who admire those qualities are somehow less self actualising, really?
To what extent should one empathise with a serial shagger/killer who cannot hold down a long-term relationship, has no mates and feels the need to be insubordinate to every other bloke he meets?
Would James Bond himself feel the need to worship or be interested in a hero like James Bond? Unlikely.
It really depends. I don't want to be Richard Burton in The Wild Geese, not really, but I admire his character. Other heroes, you can fall for it hook line and sinker, or lock stock and barrel - but latterly, you think, well should I have?
I appreciate the respect, zap, and I assure you that it's mutual. And I do understand the point that you and RogueAgent007 are maiking about Craig's seemingly one-note portrayal of Bond. As Nap says, Craig is trying to be a different kind of Bond, and I think that accounts for the absence of the suave, swaggering Bond we've seen the other actors display. But I submit that Craig has shown flashes of that aspect of Bond, although to a much lesser extent. Some of his banter with Vesper falls into that category (I love the way he says "You noticed" when she commented on his ass), and I think he had some similar moments with Eve in Skyfall as well. It was pretty much absent in QOS, but Skyfall left me feeling that we will be seeing more of that aspect of Craig's Bond in the future. We'll see, but the bottom line is that I believe Craig is more than capable of handling such moments if the script calls for it.
There is nothing I have seen any other Bond actor do that Craig can't do, except perhaps some of the sillier Roger Moore jokes. As for his looks, while it's true he not a pretty boy like Moore or Brosnan, and he doesn't have the same type of rugged good looks as Connery, I know quite a few women who find Daniel Craig very attractive. Of course attractiveness is largely subjective, but I think I'll take the opinions of these women over yours and your 14 year old's any time. Really, if all you can perceive from Craig's portrayal is a bulldozer, it seems to me that perhaps you're not paying close enough attention. But that's just me.
My feelings on Craig are as follows: anybody know what George Lazenby has been up to lately?
I realize that I am in the minority here. But I truly feel that Craig is the worst Bond ever. I love character. I want to learn about this person. What is he feeling as he is doing these things? You see that with Connery, Dalton, and Brosnan. Even a little bit with Moore. (BTW that's 1-4 for me) All that Craig brings is a bulldozer. Watch Goldfinger, the scene where Bond received the Nazi Gold to tempt Goldfinger with. Can you honestly picture Craig pulling off the line about diagnosing what's wrong with the brandy? That suave gentility has been completely swept aside and replaced with something akin to Schwartznegger's Terminator or Commando. I keep expecting to see Craig in dark glasses saying "Ah'll be back"
The Bourne connection is very real. Part of the reason they changed to Craig in the first place was the success of Bourne. Watch the fight choreography in the Bourne movies, esp. #2, then watch any of the Craig's esp. QoS. Instead of sticking with Bond they now make Bourne movies with an Aston Martin. Now I like Bourne, but I love Bond.
Also, Craig seems incapable of changing the expression on that ugly mug. He seriously looks like he would need no makeup to play a zombie. And if you think i'm harsh, you should hear my 14 year old rip on him!
People seem to forget that one of the highest grossing Bond film ever was DAD. And while it is not my favorite, it was critically haled as the Best Bond Ever for a time. As long as tickets needed to be sold that is.
Thing is, there was a balanced joy and sadness to Brosnan's Bond, a subtle menace to Connery, a dark edge to Dalton balanced by suave style, and Moore was just fun. Even old George overcame his deficiencies and didn't destroy a good story. Craig? It's like watching one villain trying to kill another villain. You really don't want either to win and deep down I'm hoping both die in the end. As one guy posted, I realize I'm in for a long bit of misery. But as far as I'm concerned, the last Bond movie was DAD.
Dear BL. You know that I respect your opinions, but Daniel has not displayed the classy quality yet, that suave sense of cool. I keep hoping for it, as I'm sure it's a choice rather than capability.His bond can be a bit of a one note affair with little light and shade and is more thug than gentlemen. Bond needs to be a velvet hammer, it's what differentiates him from the legion of hard cases.
I slightly also feel that if the average Joe walked into a new situation acting like Connery or Moore - rather narcissitic types, rather than be admired, then not having their charisma, they'd just wind folk up or tread on their toes.
That said, the ability to make a joke and be at ease with oneself is no bad thing, and you don't get the sense Craig's Bond is an outgoing fella, so it's swings and roundabouts.
There is a slight question though - without the other Bond's portrayal, would anyone really care about an action hero like Craig's Bond? It all relies on him standing on the shoulders of giants. TBF, not sure anyone would care about the recent Batman films' Wayne, it's just they do because of the history and significance of the thing.
YOung fans who fell for Moore in his films just didn't know about the Bond history or Connery or anything, he stood on his own merits, if you will.
I slightly also feel that if the average Joe walked into a new situation acting like Connery or Moore - rather narcissitic types, rather than be admired, then not having their charisma, they'd just wind folk up or tread on their toes.
That said, the ability to make a joke and be at ease with oneself is no bad thing, and you don't get the sense Craig's Bond is an outgoing fella, so it's swings and roundabouts.
There is a slight question though - without the other Bond's portrayal, would anyone really care about an action hero like Craig's Bond? It all relies on him standing on the shoulders of giants. TBF, not sure anyone would care about the recent Batman films' Wayne, it's just they do because of the history and significance of the thing.
YOung fans who fell for Moore in his films just didn't know about the Bond history or Connery or anything, he stood on his own merits, if you will.
I think a lot of what you say is spot on. After 3 Nolan Batman movies I still don't care diddly about Bruce Wayne, I just think that Bond should be different.
Comments
I think you sell yourself short when you say it is a 'bit' lame. It is far from a bit.
By the time the film(s):
[list=*]
[*]We've got a Bond that's experienced loss and betrayal in terms of Vesper in CR. This, of course, contributes to Bond's future coldness toward women. "The bitch is dead."[/*]
[*]A Bond with unceasing dedication to his job and his country. He knows M's lies and "sins" (including giving Silva up and ordering Eve to "take the bloody shot"), and remains devoted.[/*]
[*]A matured Bond. Any unresolved childhood issues have been put to rest, and he is now clearly a well-seasoned agent. [/*]
[*]A Bond that failed to protect one of his closest allies. M still died.[/*]
[*]A male M (not saying this is better or worse -- just more "classic) that seems to have Bond's respect.[/*]
[*]A piss-ant Q with whom Bond can quarrel[/*]
[*]A Miss Moneypenny that will surely be using innuendo ceaselessly[/*]
[/list]
Oh, I'm sure there's more I could add, but I dare not prattle on.
What's all this lead up to? A 4th DC Bond film that has a fully developed James Bond character with all the classic elements in place. Maybe a one-off mission with a crazed antagonist bent on world domination, a few used and tossed away vixens, some glib remarks, pithy comebacks, etc. etc.
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
Skyfall is said by some to be the best of the Daniel Craig "Bond" films. But that is comparable to having the best form of toenail fungus. lame Lame Lame LAME! This whole reboot idea has been terrible from the beginning.
In CR, we see Bond getting his 00 status, he's brand new, he's flawed, I get that, and kinda liked it. QoS felt like CR 2.0, all the action scenes clipped from CR and left on the cutting room floor stitched together with no real story to hold it together, absolutely terrible, unwatchable. Now in the 3rd film, we hear a constant barrage of "you're old, you're washed up, you're tired". Bond suddenly can't shoot straight, is winded after a couple laps, and looks to be ready for AARP benefits. After 3 missions? The end of the movie, as has been said, felt like a Home Alone movie, and Severnine, while easily the best looking of the Craig films girls, was useless.
I personally had the movie figured out just listening to Adele's fantastic song. Her song and the silhouette fight scene being the only good parts of the film. Sitting in the theater I heard "when the Skyfalls... When it crumbles... we will stand tall...and face it all together...at Skyfall" And thought "Hmmm, so the climax will be at someplace called Skyfall, where it will be a Pyrrhic victory." "Skyfall is where we start" So...origin story, perhaps a birthplace? "where worlds collide and days are dark..." So something from Bonds past will show up to meet his present during the climax of the film. See what I mean? The whole thing is like that.
And to top it all off, the bad guy WON! All he wanted to do, the whole point of motivation for Silva, was taking M's life. AND SHE DIED! Bond Defeated. Then it's like nothing changed! I mean seriously, "well Cdmr Bond, looks like you didn't pass your physical, you're all washed up after 3 missions, and now, by going against orders and kidnapping your boss, you've managed to get her killed. Congratulations and Welcome back to the Service!"
Also, the reboot can't seem to find a direction. "It's all new, except for the part that isn't" "Here's Bonds beginning, let's reference stuff from 50 years ago" If your going to start over, then start over. The DB5 didn't make a lick of sense, shouldn't have been there. Is this the car he won in the poker game in CR? If so, and he then had it retrofitted with gadgets, why would a modern Bond choose gadgets from the 60's? Or are we saying he had 2 Astons? One modified and one stock? "So Cmdr, We feel you don't need any gadgets, here is your gun and radio" " I beg to differ sir. I would like some 50 year old tech to complement my complete lack of ability to apprehend my target and my questionable marksmanship." No wonder M died... 8-)
A lot has been made of the financial success of SF, I say so what. Tickets now cost 10x what they did when Connery was making Bond films. I would be interested to see actual number of tickets sold between Goldfinger :x or Thunderball :x , and Skyfall X-( . A lot has been said about the Critical success of SF. Again I say so what. IMHO, the best way to find a good film is to avoid what the critics loved.
And finally, we come to the biggest problem with Skyfall, Daniel Craig. Look at him, just really look at him. This man looks like he was hit in the face with an ugly stick, staggered back, slammed his head against the ugly tree, and had two ugly apples fall off and hit him in each ear. Honestly look at him and tell me that he would be Bond if he weren't ripped. If you can, you need to get your eyes checked. Some might say "Oh but he's such a good actor" WHAT?! It's like watching Kevin Costner in Robin Hood! Every line is delivered with the same deadpan monotone. Whether he's being shaved by the woman who shot him, or about to shoot a glass off someone's head, just recovered from a poison induced heart attack, or defending his ancestral estate. I've heard more emotion from a garage door opener. The one exception to this was the bottomless chair torture scene in CR (IMO, the best Craig film). His face is a frozen mask, the same liver lipped, half angry, half clueless look he always has. Everything about Craigs films feels forced. From too many one liners and quips to trying to start over by dredging up the past.
I cannot bring myself to call Craig's films Bond films. They feel like Bourne films without the interesting aspect of amnesia. I hope and pray that somebody gets wise and just ends the misery. If you have to continue with the reboot direction, just stop now. I for one, will never see another Craig film. I might be lured back to a Bond Film, however.
You are of course entitled to your view but with the money Skyfall has made you are going to be miserable for a long time
You know, I found SF pretty meh in the cinema, having watched it now again and started getting a bit warmer with it and now your review.
IMO you make some valid points about SF and Craig - it's not as intensely bad like you say but I enjoyed that review. I hope that you don't like Dalton, too
You've forgotten to mention something: That Shanghai fight with the lights and stuff looked so comic martial art, I hardly can believe that the stunt doubles knew what they where doing. I have the feeling, they only had a green screen and a rap song from 50 cent and tried to do something. IMO it really looks bad.
* and just for the record: I enjoy Craig as Bond - but that does not keep me away from laughing about that review.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Gangnam Style?
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Give it a few years and you will come around to it
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
However, I think SF has surpassed TB's box office with ticket prices adjusted for inflation. Just the way it goes, China is a market now and of course the population is a lot higher, with maybe more going to the cinema in terms of demographics than back then.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Or just maybe quite a few people actually enjoyed the film?? I do think that DC has succeeded in bringing a new audience in to the cinema to see Bond films who weren't previously interested in the character / premise.
I appreciate that not every film can be everyone's cup of tea, us fans like / dislike certain Bonds & the goings on in the movies to date. However the gist of feedback that I've had from non-Bond fans is that the more recent DC films have been enjoyable to them as there's little cheese, silly gimmicky toys, there's more apparent realism to the films & the lead guy actually looks like he knows how to fight his way out of a paper bag. I certainly don't see the Bourne connection, but perhaps I'm blinded by the fact that I'm there to solely see Bond.
Personally speaking CR has been my favourite Bond to date and SF is certainly up there in my top 6. I therefore don't subscribe to RogueAgent's views (quite the opposite in fact), but each to their own. Maybe I'm in the minority with my thoughts!!
I realize that I am in the minority here. But I truly feel that Craig is the worst Bond ever. I love character. I want to learn about this person. What is he feeling as he is doing these things? You see that with Connery, Dalton, and Brosnan. Even a little bit with Moore. (BTW that's 1-4 for me) All that Craig brings is a bulldozer. Watch Goldfinger, the scene where Bond received the Nazi Gold to tempt Goldfinger with. Can you honestly picture Craig pulling off the line about diagnosing what's wrong with the brandy? That suave gentility has been completely swept aside and replaced with something akin to Schwartznegger's Terminator or Commando. I keep expecting to see Craig in dark glasses saying "Ah'll be back"
The Bourne connection is very real. Part of the reason they changed to Craig in the first place was the success of Bourne. Watch the fight choreography in the Bourne movies, esp. #2, then watch any of the Craig's esp. QoS. Instead of sticking with Bond they now make Bourne movies with an Aston Martin. Now I like Bourne, but I love Bond.
Also, Craig seems incapable of changing the expression on that ugly mug. He seriously looks like he would need no makeup to play a zombie. And if you think i'm harsh, you should hear my 14 year old rip on him!
People seem to forget that one of the highest grossing Bond film ever was DAD. And while it is not my favorite, it was critically haled as the Best Bond Ever for a time. As long as tickets needed to be sold that is.
Thing is, there was a balanced joy and sadness to Brosnan's Bond, a subtle menace to Connery, a dark edge to Dalton balanced by suave style, and Moore was just fun. Even old George overcame his deficiencies and didn't destroy a good story. Craig? It's like watching one villain trying to kill another villain. You really don't want either to win and deep down I'm hoping both die in the end. As one guy posted, I realize I'm in for a long bit of misery. But as far as I'm concerned, the last Bond movie was DAD.
Connery was threatening, Dalton was hard edged, but both balanced the character. Ever since CR, the little that was there is gone. And I , for one, mourn it.
Dear BL. You know that I respect your opinions, but Daniel has not displayed the classy quality yet, that suave sense of cool. I keep hoping for it, as I'm sure it's a choice rather than capability.His bond can be a bit of a one note affair with little light and shade and is more thug than gentlemen. Bond needs to be a velvet hammer, it's what differentiates him from the legion of hard cases.
Craig is trying to be different, but no, he doesn't have that movie star thing where I want to be him, or even relate to him much. For me, it's like watching Batman. Intresting, but I never want to be that guy, he's a tortured soul. He never really does a one-liner, a zinger, where I think, wow, I'd love to say that, where there's that uplift of the heart, that recognition.
Now, a lot of fans, to their credit, never wanted to be Bond or assume that kind of suavity either, you can say they lead their own lives and escapism is less of a factor. So Craig is less jarring for them.
It's like different interpreations of Hamlet. But some may want to be that guy, when others don't.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Very well said. -{ , a great explanation.
to be his Best yet. At times he walked with a swagger, smiled at a few jokes. and his
word play with Eve was great.
I'd agree in QOS he had a stern look for most of it. I feel he decided to have some
fun with skyfall, might have something with having S Mendes to Direct.
Ouch! the not so veiled meaning is that those of us who admire those qualities are somehow less self actualising, really?
To what extent should one empathise with a serial shagger/killer who cannot hold down a long-term relationship, has no mates and feels the need to be insubordinate to every other bloke he meets?
Would James Bond himself feel the need to worship or be interested in a hero like James Bond? Unlikely.
It really depends. I don't want to be Richard Burton in The Wild Geese, not really, but I admire his character. Other heroes, you can fall for it hook line and sinker, or lock stock and barrel - but latterly, you think, well should I have?
Roger Moore 1927-2017
That said, the ability to make a joke and be at ease with oneself is no bad thing, and you don't get the sense Craig's Bond is an outgoing fella, so it's swings and roundabouts.
There is a slight question though - without the other Bond's portrayal, would anyone really care about an action hero like Craig's Bond? It all relies on him standing on the shoulders of giants. TBF, not sure anyone would care about the recent Batman films' Wayne, it's just they do because of the history and significance of the thing.
YOung fans who fell for Moore in his films just didn't know about the Bond history or Connery or anything, he stood on his own merits, if you will.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
I think a lot of what you say is spot on. After 3 Nolan Batman movies I still don't care diddly about Bruce Wayne, I just think that Bond should be different.