100 movies: Skyfall

by Jaina
October 29, 2012
comments 35
100 movies of 2012
Every year I set myself a target, usually of about 100, of films to watch. These are new films. Not new, new films. But films that are new to me. Any time I’ve seen a new one, I post a bit of a brain dump of my thoughts on the film here. Enjoy!

SkyfallSkyfall (26/10/12)

Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

A lot is riding on Skyfall. Quantum of Solace wasn’t all that well received and still isn’t much-loved. So, Bond needs a sort of redemption. And while I personally didn’t think Quantum was all that bad, Skyfall’s up there with Casino Royale. For it is one excellent film.

Now there could be some spoilers. Even minor ones and to save anyone, stop reading now if you don’t want to know and have yet to see the film!

Skyfall is one hell of a personal film. We see more into Bond’s mind and life than we’ve done in the past 50 years of his character. Not just Bond, but M too. That’s what has really made Skyfall stand out for me. Not the epic action sequences nor the appearance of that gorgeous DB5. It was this hugely personal story going on with M and Bond which is paid off hugely at the end and you’re left with such a sense of satisfaction. It’s hard not to have loved the film.

So what about the details? The villain? The set pieces? Everything was spot on. While Quantum of Solace felt like a film that was just a series of set pieces, Skyfall is a film supported by a couple of very key set pieces. How it should be. Javier Bardem’s Silva was a colourful villain. Thought he was great! It was interesting how he wasn’t really introduced into probably halfway through the film. Making it clear that Skyfall is more than just Bond vs. Villain.

Daniel Craig’s Bond has gone on one heck of a journey. Probably the most travelled in this film alone. Physically and mentally broken with only one person who has his back, who has always had his back – M. Ahhh Dench. You are a fantastic M! She’s got a wonderful set of lines that Judi Dench delivers which such spark. She’s definitely my favourite M.

Think my only negative about the film is the theme tune and the opening title sequence. Yes, they’re both very Bond. Traditional, Bond. But there’s nothing all that memorable about them. The opening for Casino Royale blew me away. The motion graphics were stunning and the song told you what you were in for. Adele’s Skyfall is … eh. Ok. Title sequence was fine. Just not in my top 5.

The film brings the Bond saga full circle. Well, that’s what it felt like to me. It feels like things are just starting again, again. To do that in the third outing for Craig’s Bond is pretty damn smart. You need to keep the franchise fresh. Really looking forward to what’s to come.

I do ask they consider bringing Sam Mendes back onboard. He did a brilliant job. Carved out some dramatic, almost still life scenes. Seriously. There are some scenes I would love to have a still of and stick it up on my wall. Brilliant!
Rating: 5/5

Read on to see all the films watched this year…

77 Films so far this year

  1. The Tourist 1/5 (02/01/12)
  2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 5/5 (03/01/12)
  3. World’s Greatest Dad 2/5 (14/01/12)
  4. Haywire 3/5 (19/01/12)
  5. Dead Snow 3/5 (20/01/12)
  6. The Artist 5/5 (21/01/12)
  7. Priest 2/5 (05/02/12)
  8. The Muppets 5/5 (15/02/12)
  9. Faster 4/5 (19/02/12)
  10. Chronicle 4/5 (22/02/12)
  11. Safe House 4/5 (24/02/12)
  12. Reservoir Dogs 4/5 (25/02/12)
  13. This Means War 4/5 (02/03/12)
  14. The Royal Tenenbaums 3/5 (03/03/12)
  15. Reign of Fire 3/5 (04/03/12)
  16. Dear John 2/5 (04/03/12)
  17. Road to Perdition 5/5 (05/03/12)
  18. The Three Musketeers 3/5 (06/03/12)
  19. The Eagle 2/5 (10/03/12)
  20. Everybody’s Fine 2/5 (14/03/12)
  21. Frankenstein 4/5 (15/03/12)
  22. Love and Other Drugs 2/5 (15/03/12)
  23. You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger 2/5 (17/03/12)
  24. The Big Lebowski 5/5 (18/03/12)
  25. The Hunger Games 3/5 (23/03/12)
  26. Headhunters 4/5 (07/04/12)
  27. Super 1/5 (07/04/12)
  28. The Cabin in the Woods 5/5 (13/04/12)
  29. Watchmen 4/5 (14/04/12)
  30. The Hurt Locker 3/5 (21/04/12)
  31. Avengers Assemble 5/5 (26/04/12)
  32. 22 Bullets 2/5 (28/04/12)
  33. Bad Teacher 1/5 (29/04/12)
  34. Red Riding Hood 1/5 (04/05/12)
  35. A Perfect Getaway 4/5 (05/05/12)
  36. Ca$h 1/5 (13/05/12)
  37. Kung Fu Panda 2 3/5 (14/05/12)
  38. Everything Must Go 2/5 (24/05/12)
  39. New York, I Love You 2/5 (25/05/12)
  40. Beginners 4/5 (26/05/12)
  41. Prometheus 4/5 (03/06/12)
  42. The Tree of Life 2/5 (04/06/12)
  43. The Lovely Bones 3/5 (05/06/12)
  44. Snow White and the Huntsman 3/5 (06/06/12)
  45. The Devil’s Backbone 4/5 (07/06/12)
  46. Britain in a Day 5/5 (11/06/12)
  47. The French Connection 4/5 (15/06/12)
  48. Insomnia 3/5 (16/06/12)
  49. Rebel Without a Cause 4/5 (22/06/12)
  50. A Lonely Place to Die 3/5 (26/06/12)
  51. Killer Joe 3/5 (29/06/12)
  52. The Amazing Spider-Man 4/5 (03/07/12)
  53. Raising Arizona 4/5 (04/07/12)
  54. Horrible Bosses 4/5 (06/07/12)
  55. Broadcast News 3/5 (07/07/12)
  56. We Need to Talk About Kevin 4/5 (07/07/12)
  57. Miller’s Crossing 4/5 (18/07/12)
  58. The Dark Knight Rises 5/5 (20/07/12)
  59. 21 Jump Street 5/5 (29/07/12)
  60. The Mystery Team 3/5 (07/08/12)
  61. The Help 4/5 (11/08/12)
  62. The Bourne Legacy 3/5 (13/08/12)
  63. The Expendables 2 4/5 (17/08/12)
  64. Brave 5/5 (19/08/12)
  65. Dracula 3/5 (19/08/12)
  66. The Woman in Black 3/5 (24/08/12)
  67. The Mummy 4/5 (28/08/12)
  68. Lawless 3/5 (30/08/12)
  69. Real Steel 2/5 (31/08/12)
  70. [REC] 3 Genesis 2/5 (04/09/12)
  71. Take Shelter 4/5 (15/09/12)
  72. Dredd 3D 3/5 (19/09/12)
  73. The Apartment 5/5 (23/09/12)
  74. Young Frankenstein 5/5 (25/09/12)
  75. Looper 5/5 (28/09/12)
  76. Sinister 3/5 (10/10/12)
  77. Skyfall 5/5 (26/10/12)

35 Comments

  1. BrikHaus

    Jaina, I really want to read your review, but I’m worried about spoilers. So, I just went down to the grade. Nice to see it was a 5/5. I’ll comment again when the U.S. finally gets this release.

  2. Nostra

    Wow, that’s a high rating. Since I will see it this Wednesday that’s all I got to know, will read your exact thoughts on it later 🙂

  3. Chris

    wow, 5/5. Since the 80s, only Bond movies I’ve loved were directed by Martin Campbell (GoldenEye, & Casino Royale). Likely that Skyfall could match those. Can’t wait to see it!

    • Jaina

      It’s definitely up there with Casino Royale for me. Some aspects, Casino Royale did better, but both of those films are the strongest for Daniel Craig’s Bond.

  4. Keith

    AWESOME! It’s still a couple of weeks away from its release date here. I am so pumped for it. I was starting to get a little worried. It’s gotten good reviews but I have noticed some people who didn’t think it lived up to their expectations. I’m thrilled you gave it a five. I didn’t read the full review because you mentioned spoilers. I’ll definitely come back and check it out after I see the film. Can’t wait.!

    • Jaina

      This film has a lot riding on it. Expectations are ridiculously high. I tempered mine a bit, which helped! It’s a fantastic film. Sam Mendes should really do another Bond!

  6. sati

    I’m seeing it this weekend and I read so many good things about it – I’m officially excited! I love Judi Dench’s M – she is icy but it’s clear she is very human too.

  7. Fogs

    YES!!!!!!!

    I came here knowing you’d have this up (Damn you for getting it earlier than us, but at least in this case you should, LOL)

    I skipped the review (I’ll circle back in a few weeks)… all I wanted to see was if you 5/5ed it. 😀

    You made my night Mistry. HAPPY HAPPY news. WHOOOOOOOO!!!!!

    Can I link to this for the Bond Month Blog-A-Thon?

  8. ruth

    Nice!!! As a massive Bond fan I can’t wait for this one and hope to erase ‘Quantum of Solace’ out of my mind, ahah.

  9. lisacng @ expandng.com

    Since you said “spoiler”, I won’t read anymore. I agree that Quantum did not live up to the first one. I’m so glad you are giving this an excellent rating!!!! I can’t wait to see it, then read your review.

  10. Pete

    Awesoooooome! Glad you loved it! I EVEN like the Adele song and loved the credits! I’m not a massive Bond fan but this is definitely one of my favourites! Loved how it started off so bog and globe spanning and then just ended up so contained. Absolutely beautiful from start to finish too!

    • Jaina

      Definitely why I loved the film too, so insulated and just a whole different Bond experience. Loved how much of London was actually used too. Even if I had a minor gripe that the tube stations were wrong!!

  14. Fogs

    I’ve got your back on the title graphics, they were… ok…

    “Skyfall”, the song, needs some time to be able to grow on me. Didnt wow me right away either. But still could grow on me. It IS pretty good…

    The movie though? WOW Holy Moly! You’re right, it IS a more personal Bond film. Yet at the same time it does have those INCREDIBLE set pieces. Pretty freaking awesome.

    I hope they bring Mendes back too, he did a phenomenal job here. 😀

    I’m with you J, 5/5!

    • Jaina

      Having listened to the song a handful of times, it still doesn’t do anything to me. It’s just not memorable enough.

      The set pieces were beautifully done. Loved everyone one of them. And they were just that – set pieces, unlike in QoS, the story was told through set pieces rather than through the script.

      5/5 – YEAH!

  15. BrikHaus

    Agree that Adele’s song is bland as hell. A forgettable Bond theme if I’ve ever heard one. Also agree that this is a fantastic Bond movie. You nailed it when you said it was a well written, personal story support by some great action scenes.

  16. Dan

    Loved it! Great review Jaina. This is one of the most enjoyable Bond films ever made. It has enough familiarity about it but with something new too. Great story, well paced, good humour, and I loved the ending (there aren’t many Bond films that as moving).

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