Skyfall: Review By Bryan Yentz

Oct 23rd, 2012 by Bryan Yentz
... While CASINO ROYALE managed an "Eh" on my radar, QUANTUM OF SOLACE a "Meh", SKYFALL makes it out with a pursed lower lip and a nod of approval...
  • OVERALL
    3.5
    GREAT
  • Story
  • Acting
  • Directing
  • Visuals
In the fifty years that James Bond has been committed to the silver screen, I can't say there's ever been an outing of his that I ever enjoyed. Sure, each film encompasses many a thing I enjoy, such as women, evil-quashing violence and ingeniously ridiculous technology, but for me, it's never come together; mainly due to the title character of Bond, James Bond.

Even in my naïve youth when the most mindless of content would catch and maintain my eye, I never once found the exploits of Britain's top spy worthwhile. Hell, it had women in bikinis! Guns! Explosions! An enemy with metal teeth! So why wasn't my young mind captivated? I guess because even at such a young age, I was already coming to understand what a dick acted and sounded like. I mean, he's a womanizer, a remorseless killer, a heavy drinker and never suffers for his actions--no matter how rash. He's a sex-driven version of Superman. He's seemingly invincible, manages to do the impossible where everyone else falters and beds anything and anyone with a cheesy smirk and one-liner (okay, so that last part ain't so Superman). As much a man's man Bond is, as much a ladies' man he is; I've always failed to take much interest in a protagonist who doesn't have to worry about actual conflict or consequence. I've always favored the broken redeemers; the anti-heroic saviors in need of deliverance. While watching an immortal macho-man can be fun, Bond has always served as an annoyance to me rather than a character to stand behind and root for.

However, with the recent Bond films, the focus has seemingly been altered to allow Bond to actually be a character and not simply an icon of sex and style. These recent endeavors have modified the violence from camp to bone-breaking brutality, the characters from talking heads to actual personalities and Bond himself into that of a subject who--after fifty years--is finally to starting to seem a little human. What makes these recent efforts of filmmaking all the more intriguing are the lifted stakes which now feature the loss of central characters. While CASINO ROYALE managed an "Eh" on my radar, QUANTUM OF SOLACE a "Meh", SKYFALL makes it out with a pursed lower lip and a nod of approval. Am I a Bond believer now? Hell. No. But I actually enjoyed my time with this picture as opposed to the past iterations which have only garnered irritation.

Beginning with the grooviest music-video-introduction-montage of any of the films thus far, SKYFALL once again follows Daniel Craig as the best Bond the series (to this critic) has ever retained, in the most entertaining spy-vs-spy adventure since. . . Well, the last Bond flick, I guess. This time around, a plethora of operatives are being knocked-off and it's up to Bond--the last of them--to find out just whose responsible. It's a simple story, but the narrative is riddled with betrayals, new partnerships and creatively compelling action--that is, if you can suspend your disbelief (every random vehicle is always unlocked with its keys in the ignition?). Bringing a breath of fresh, aberrant air to the entire shindig is Javier Bardem as SKYFALL's newest villain, Raoul Silva. It was stated before the film's production that Daniel Craig wanted a gay love scene for the next Bond, and with such a psychopathic lead as Silva, it's certainly easy to understand the compromise that the filmmakers and actor must have come to. With his anomalous qualities and feminine characteristics, Silva proves to be one of the most fascinating antagonists to ever be placed inside a Bond film. His quirky, yet earnest attitude commands attention and his abruptly vicious nature belies an obsessive motivation and makes for some of the best scenes, like a sensually-tense one-on-one with he and Bond. Again, Javier proves why he's a master at villainous roles.

While the film's best exchanges occur between Bond and Silva, the plot also seeks to further its emotional heft by focusing on the relationship between James and M. Judy Dench continues to sell her ice-cold demeanor, but certain moments depict the cracks in her frigid personality. Outside of these portions and that of Silva's, the sentimental heft is non-existent and everything else follows the typical Bond formula. Bond kills a lot of people, has sex. Bond kills more people. Says something lame. Has sex. Bond kills more and more people. States something cheesier. Has sex again. So, for the half hour or so of character development, everything else remains tried-and-true Bond. And while this continued focus maintains everything that infuriates me about the character, it nonetheless makes a large amount of the action quite fun. Solid direction and panache lend a savage new element to the violence as the climax is a creatively suspenseful hold-out while scenes leading up to such a finale are frenetic (and sometimes forgettable) chases placed against a handful of brief, surprisingly bold sequences of carnage, such as a one-take bout which has our hero dueling an assassin over a rifle in the dark. Moments like these ensure that director Sam Medes and his menagerie of writers have taken steps to differentiate this Bond from the rest of the pack--and it shows.

While SKYFALL still doesn't pull me into the fanatical fold of Bond enthusiasts, I can honestly say that it was infinitely better than I was expecting and makes me hopeful for future installments; if they maintain the same sort of intensity and execution, that is. I still don't care for Bond as a person or character, but at least the adventure he's been placed into is worthwhile. For me, this is the most grounded and well-realized adaption of the franchise since. . . Well, ever.

Do you like this review?

Comments (48)

  1. Bryan Yentz

    @dan1,

    Hahaha, I know! What's wrong with me!?

    7 months agoby @bryanyentzFlag

  2. Dan

    @bryanyentz Ermahgerd! Another positive review?!

    7 months agoby @dan1Flag

  3. Bryan Yentz

    @Zak-Lee-Ferguson,

    Hahaha, thanks, man! I try...

    7 months agoby @bryanyentzFlag

  4. Zak Lee Ferguson

    @bryanyentz you must be my inner most thoughts as yes you articulated that as well as i could- i agree fully on that one- amen! :P

    7 months agoby @Zak-Lee-FergusonFlag

  5. Bryan Yentz

    @Zak-Lee-Ferguson,

    And I completely understand where your coming from, but when considering Bardem in the Bond canon and nothing else, I think the villain was vastly different for the franchise--not in all of cinema. 99% of the villains in Bond are typically bland, megalomaniacs that constantly pursue the same goals, so I enjoyed that Silva's journey was far more personal and even suicidal. That, in a way, he wanted to be "the favorite" ; the "only" agent once more to "M". He didn't care about ruling the world; he just wanted personal revenge. While nothing new (like you mentioned with Ledger), it was something new for a series which has felt stale--especially in regards to its villains--for a VERY long time.

    7 months agoby @bryanyentzFlag

  6. Zak Lee Ferguson

    i'm not much of a Bondie but i sure love the modern franchise and sure loathe Solace*

    I was in wait for Bardum- i felt he lacked something- so often i feel film villains try and enter the same torreign as Ledger did- a comic, whimsical unpredictable odd ball- of course actors will methodically try and extract his genius and divulge and try and grope for another personification but- meh I sure did love this- Mendes is one of my top favourite directors.
    Good "unpreditable" read my friend @bryanyentz

    7 months agoby @Zak-Lee-FergusonFlag

  7. The Cryptkeeper: Resurrected

    @bryanyentz Yes I definitely agree. Sometimes the studios make horror films not what die hard horror fans want.

    7 months agoby @cryptFlag

  8. Bryan Yentz

    @crypt,

    I think the studios just need to back off and allow the filmmakers to just do a film with a concise story; one with a beginning, middle and end; none of this sequel and 3D crap attached to it where everything has to end on a cliffhanger where the villain survives in the last moment and everyone else dies... We'll see...

    7 months agoby @bryanyentzFlag

  9. The Cryptkeeper: Resurrected

    @bryanyentz Yeah, like Halloween H20 they ignore previous installments... But those previous installments seemed to do the same thing. Unfortunately the whole series needs a reboot, since the remake series killed everyone off, if I remember correctly.

    But I still will have high hopes, as a big fan of the original.

    7 months agoby @cryptFlag

  10. Bryan Yentz

    @crypt,

    Yeah, I'll watch the new Chainsaw flick, but I'm going in with zero expectations. And from the way they've avoided much plot in the previous films, I'm hoping they actually try to develop something interesting with the whole Leatherface relation thing...

    7 months agoby @bryanyentzFlag

  11. The Cryptkeeper: Resurrected

    @bryanyentz We will have to see what method of 3D they use. But yeah, it is a rumor that the female lead is related to Leatherface. I'm not sure why, but I have a good feeling about the movie in general!

    7 months agoby @cryptFlag

  12. Bryan Yentz

    @slysnide,

    Yeah, I actually saw it again and Javier really does remain one of the strongest links in the chain. The second viewing for me was personally a bit weaker; I didn't enjoy it as much; but Javier's scenes remained standouts.

    8 months agoby @bryanyentzFlag

  13. slysnide

    @bryanyentz: I had the same thoughts as your friend did while I was reading your review. Nice to hear it's more grounded in relationships and character building in particular. Q's screen time sounds about right. Though that he's that young still bugs me in a way. After writing those 20 Bond reviews last Fall, I'm hoping this film is a good reward for the last lacking installment. Sounds like it will be. Especially with JB as the villain. Since "NCFOM" I knew he had to be a Bond villain.

    8 months agoby @slysnideFlag

  14. Bryan Yentz

    @slysnide,

    Thanks, man! And yeah, while I felt CASINO to be the most realistic of the bunch as it was far more dramatic than action-oriented, I felt this version the most grounded in terms of relationships and character building. As for Q, he was decent enough in this version yet he's not that pivotal (maybe ten minutes of screen time? If that?), unlike Cleese, however, his humor is more subtle and witty and fits in better to the film's overall tone. So, yes, while I was indifferent about the character in SKYFALL, I still think the alteration in actor and portrayal to be far more suiting. And if you've been a fan that long, I think you'll definitely dig this one. When I told my buddy (who loves the Bond flicks) that I actually didn't hate it, he just told me, "If you actually found it decent, then that means I'll love it."

    8 months agoby @bryanyentzFlag

  15. Bryan Yentz

    @mcleve02,

    Oh, you'll just have to see... It's going to be an Oscar contender, that's for sure.

    8 months agoby @bryanyentzFlag

  16. Bryan Yentz

    @crypt,

    Yeah, that's what I had heard; like the female protagonist is Leatherface's cousin or something? But yeah, I feel as though the 3D element is tacked on and takes the focus away from being a gritty, scary flick into that of a one-trick pony in regards to "What crazy thing is gonna fly at the screen next!?"

    8 months agoby @bryanyentzFlag

  17. slysnide

    @bryanyentz: wow, hard to believe this one's more grounded than "Casino Royale," but anything to get away from the mess that was "QoS." Judging by your take (despite being an avid lifetime fan since I was 7; now 24) this sounds like they still got some bugs to work on, but make a few worthy strides as well. What was your take on Q? Better that they didn't hire John Cleese again, or better that they're straying away from Llewelyn's take? I'm not able to see this till 11/17. Can't wait all the same. Nice review.

    8 months agoby @slysnideFlag

  18. THE JOKER

    @bryanyentz haha which review will that be?

    8 months agoby @mcleve02Flag

  19. The Cryptkeeper: Resurrected

    @bryanyentz As for Die Another Day I am actually surprised! I liked that one a lot, and for some reason I had an impression you would too! Haha but to each their own.

    8 months agoby @cryptFlag

  20. The Cryptkeeper: Resurrected

    @bryanyentz See, Texas Chainsaw 3D is apparently a sequel to the very original film, so why dont they think of a better sequel title than deleting MASSACRE and throwing in 3D!? It's horrible. But yeah, if they throw a "3D" in the damn title half the time there is not much 3D stuff, and makes me want to see the movie less!!

    8 months agoby @cryptFlag

  21. Bryan Yentz

    @crypt,

    And I agree on all of that "3D" rubbish going on, especially with the new TCM (and its retitling of just TEXAS CHAINSAW. I mean, when I think horror, I don't think, "F*ck yeah, 3D!" I think cheap cash-in. The 3D sh*t really needs to calm down and only be used for films that could ACTUALLY profit from it. And for all of the flicks that DO promote 3D (like PIRANHA 3DD), they rarely even have any actual 3D material!

    8 months agoby @bryanyentzFlag

  22. Bryan Yentz

    @crypt,

    Yeah, I heard the same thing. As for DIE ANOTHER DAY, can't say I'm a fan. That one and practically every other Bond film all fall into the same fold of blase/typical action thrillers for me.

    8 months agoby @bryanyentzFlag

  23. Bryan Yentz

    @mcleve02,

    Haha, right? Maybe something in the changing season is brightening up my outlook? Hahaha... Though one of my upcoming reviews won't be as giving...

    8 months agoby @bryanyentzFlag

  24. The Cryptkeeper: Resurrected

    @mcleve02 hell yes!

    8 months agoby @cryptFlag

  25. THE JOKER

    @crypt That would be awesome!

    8 months agoby @mcleve02Flag

  26. THE JOKER

    @bryanyentz You must been in a giving mood! You must be sick! It's not in your nature to enjoy movies! XD

    8 months agoby @mcleve02Flag

  27. The Cryptkeeper: Resurrected

    @the-movieghost 2 more Bond films??? I'm in.

    As for the title of the new Chainsaw film, I think it is utterly retarded. Now it even took away the word "Chainsaw" O.o Puls adding "3D" in any title is horrid, especially when it comes to a DVD release. I know for "Saw 3D", the DVD title ended up being "Saw: The Final Chapter". I am extremely OCD when it comes to sequel titles. Haha

    8 months agoby @cryptFlag

  28. the MovieGhost

    @crypt Ugh, it's bad enough they had to include the "3D" in the title. That's just overkill to me. And to what you said about the next Bond movie, I read somewhere that they were actually planning on doing two more after Skyfall.

    @bryanyentz Gotta love that multitasking! Ever since I started reviewing, I've found myself paying more attention than I would have in the case I miss or pick up some different things.

    8 months agoby @the-movieghostFlag

  29. The Cryptkeeper: Resurrected

    @bryanyentz I heard they're already signed to do another one, which also may be more to your liking! What is your opinion of Die Another Day?

    8 months agoby @cryptFlag

  30. The Cryptkeeper: Resurrected

    @mcleve02 Dude... Hella good idea. Maybe I can screw with Photoshop or some sh*t.

    8 months agoby @cryptFlag