"You were expecting an exploding pen?"
One of the things you tend to notice at the start of a film, before you get "used" to it, is the artiness of the direction, the composition of the shots, the camera angles, that sort of thing. And yes, Sam Mendes shoots this film very creatively. And yet at no point does he forget that he's shooting an action film. The set pieces, the action sequences, they're particularly magnificent in this film and that's down to Mendes.
The script is superb too, though. This is a Bond who's getting older, past his peak, but determined to keep going. We have a new Q, more of a computer whiz than a purveyor of gadgets- nice idea, but let's see how long that lasts. This is M's swansong, of course, with Judi Dench doing a bloody good death scene and Ralph Fiennes taking over as the new M to whose name, shockingly, we are actually made privy.
Oh yes, and there's Eve. I like the reveal about her at the end... and it's a new spin on the character to have her be a former field agent. Even the villain has motives that are closer to home. Indeed, while this is in some ways a typical Bond film on the surface, with big action sequences in Istanbul and Shanghai, it's fundamentally more about character, with the climax being a siege in Bond's rather posh childhood home. And yet, still, it never forgets that it's an action film.
This is the best Bond film in a very long time.
For some reason, my comment keeps vanishing. I don't know if you are deleting it or just not seeing it, but I write a short version instead.
ReplyDeleteApparently, the filmmakers jokingly considered the Kincade part as intended for Connery but felt it would be 'too distracting.' Given Connery often hated being associated with Bond, I really doubt that he'd have entertained the Skyfall appearance if asked.
That's weird, I got email notifications of all three versions. I don't know why the other versions vanished- I'd never delete comments except for obvious spam or something genuinely dodgy.
ReplyDeleteThe early versions are still showing on my Comments tab- you wrote "I remember Sam Mendes saying that the filmmakers jokingly considered the Kincade part was intended for Connery but felt it would be 'too distracting.' From how Kincade first appears saying the iconic “Bond, James Bond” line, one might expect it to be like an aged Connery appearing from the shadows. I do wonder if Connery would have turned it down anyway given his age and he enjoyed retirement. Given Connery often detested being associated with Bond only throughout his career, I really doubt that he'd have entertained the Skyfall appearance if asked [even if the idea does make a good story]."
I never knew that, but it makes a lot of sense that they may have hoped for Sean Connery to do it! Much as Albert Finney is a legend, his accent certainly slips a couple of times...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQKrrxROexg
ReplyDeleteHere’s a fun game. Someone on YouTube made a Doctor Who tribute in the style of the Opening credits of Skyfall, complete with credits. It is well done. The video is called "Timefall - Doctor Who parody of Skyfall opening sequence"
Just seen it- love the style of the credits! And very clever use of all that iconography- including the crack in the wall!
ReplyDelete