Skyfall - one year on, a retrospective opinion

24

Comments

  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    Sir Miles wrote:
    Barbel wrote:
    Skyfall seems to divide views like no other Bond film since LTK... :s

    Oh, I would say QoS has that effect too!

    No...everyone loves that film now -{

    {:)
    I real a poll that showed 97% of sane persons love QOS.
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,535MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    Sir Miles wrote:
    Barbel wrote:

    Oh, I would say QoS has that effect too!

    No...everyone loves that film now -{

    {:)
    I real a poll that showed 97% of sane persons love QOS.

    But that poll was run by loons :v
    ..................Asp9mmSIG-1-2.jpg...............
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    ......... And 100% of insane persons. ! :))

    No it's not as bad as even I once thought. :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 27,746Chief of Staff
    Asp9mm wrote:
    chrisisall wrote:
    Sir Miles wrote:

    No...everyone loves that film now -{

    {:)
    I real a poll that showed 97% of sane persons love QOS.

    But that poll was run by loons :v

    When did you conduct the poll, Asp9mm ?

    :p
    YNWA 97
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    Sir Miles wrote:
    Asp9mm wrote:
    chrisisall wrote:
    I real a poll that showed 97% of sane persons love QOS.

    But that poll was run by loons :v

    When did you conduct the poll, Asp9mm ?

    :p
    He doesn't like his own findings. :D
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,854Chief of Staff
    QoS is savoured by Bond fans, but doesn't resonate with the general public. It sits uncomfortably between CR (reboot; hello DC) and SF (massive commercial success; M dies!), and has become the butt of comedian's jokes.
    Many good points (arguably DC's best performance; Fleming-like tone; bittersweet ending), some bad ones (controversial editing; THAT SONG!!!; weak villain). It's far from the best James Bond film, but it ain't the worst.
    QoS is LTK revisited (SF is TWINE remade) and while far from a flop leaves the viewer, whether casual or a committed Bond fan, with an unsatisfied feeling. Not "Bondian" enough for the mainstream viewer, too many flaws for the dedicated 007 follower.
    Personally I love it! I can overlook the frenetic editing, grit my teeth through the song, and revel in the performances, tone and "this is the 2nd half of CR" sentiment. It genuinely gets better as it goes along, which is a trick some other Bond films don't carry off. Hats off to David Arnold for the score.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    QoS is savoured by Bond fans, but doesn't resonate with the general public. It sits uncomfortably between CR (reboot; hello DC) and SF (massive commercial success; M dies!), and has become the butt of comedian's jokes.
    Many good points (arguably DC's best performance; Fleming-like tone; bittersweet ending), some bad ones (controversial editing; THAT SONG!!!; weak villain). It's far from the best James Bond film, but it ain't the worst.
    QoS is LTK revisited (SF is TWINE remade) and while far from a flop leaves the viewer, whether casual or a committed Bond fan, with an unsatisfied feeling. Not "Bondian" enough for the mainstream viewer, too many flaws for the dedicated 007 follower.
    Personally I love it! I can overlook the frenetic editing, grit my teeth through the song, and revel in the performances, tone and "this is the 2nd half of CR" sentiment. It genuinely gets better as it goes along, which is a trick some other Bond films don't carry off. Hats off to David Arnold for the score.
    CHEERS! -{ I totally agree!
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Following this thread I found it odd that so far with the rebooted films Only CR seems not
    to cause too many arguments as Most ( I think ) think it a great film. While QOS has a split
    opinion and it would seem SF has too. :)) , Now I'm not saying any of them are Bad
    just making an observation. :D Will Bond 24 be universally Loved ? ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Charmed & DangerousCharmed & Dangerous Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    QoS is savoured by Bond fans, but doesn't resonate with the general public. It sits uncomfortably between CR (reboot; hello DC) and SF (massive commercial success; M dies!), and has become the butt of comedian's jokes.
    Many good points (arguably DC's best performance; Fleming-like tone; bittersweet ending), some bad ones (controversial editing; THAT SONG!!!; weak villain). It's far from the best James Bond film, but it ain't the worst.
    QoS is LTK revisited (SF is TWINE remade) and while far from a flop leaves the viewer, whether casual or a committed Bond fan, with an unsatisfied feeling. Not "Bondian" enough for the mainstream viewer, too many flaws for the dedicated 007 follower.
    Personally I love it! I can overlook the frenetic editing, grit my teeth through the song, and revel in the performances, tone and "this is the 2nd half of CR" sentiment. It genuinely gets better as it goes along, which is a trick some other Bond films don't carry off. Hats off to David Arnold for the score.

    Barbel, your review is 100% spot-on. -{
    "How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,854Chief of Staff
    Thank you, C&D. :) And chrisisall, too.
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    Asp9mm wrote:
    chrisisall wrote:
    Sir Miles wrote:

    No...everyone loves that film now -{

    {:)
    I real a poll that showed 97% of sane persons love QOS.

    But that poll was run by loons :v

    Most likely by Silhouetteman 8-)
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Don't say his name !!!!! :#
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    Don't say his name !!!!! :#

    Today we look at the inside of a Frogs Backend on the Bondoligist Blog!
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I didn't know it was so interesting. :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • jasper_lamar_crabbjasper_lamar_crabb Posts: 169MI6 Agent
    I find people are becoming less and less forgiving of the major plot flaws and the reputation of the film will decrease over time while that of its predecessor steadily improves.
  • Thunderbird 2Thunderbird 2 East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,816MI6 Agent
    Finally bought SF today at a sensible price (shame about Blockbuster).

    Seeing it on the smaller screen means I focus less on the splash of the visuals, more on the audio and the story. It clarified a few things, but added one or two new niggles and plot blunders too. I enjoyed it, but my position is unchanged. For example, the music IS very good, but it makes me think tv cop espionage or drama. (Spooks, CIS, etc) rather than Bond.

    Incidentally, I finally could see the Scotland map properly. My previous theory from another thread stands, as Q takes them up to Newtonmore, so they would have to go along the A86. 8 or 9 hours driving, not counting stops or other delays!

    A great action film, a good Bond film, dispite the writing gaffs and media PR hype.
    This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,854Chief of Staff

    Incidentally, I finally could see the Scotland map properly. My previous theory from another thread stands, as Q takes them up to Newtonmore, so they would have to go along the A86. 8 or 9 hours driving, not counting stops or other delays!

    That is one hell of a trek. Could you give a link to the other thread please? Wouldn't mind taking a look at your theory, since I have a reasonable knowledge of those parts (ie I've been there a couple of times :)) )
  • Thunderbird 2Thunderbird 2 East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,816MI6 Agent
    This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,854Chief of Staff
    Gotcha. And I agree- 9 hours minimum (+ food, toilet breaks, petrol, roadworks...)
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,467MI6 Agent
    Hmm, that trip up north.

    Bond picks M up during the shoot out, erm, that's in the morning isn't it, as it's rush hour? Or is it pm, doesn't the bloke on the Tube say 'He's in a rush to get home?' Bit poor that we can't even place what time of the day it is. Why would they start said meeting at 8am or 5pm, doesn't make sense.

    However, it implies that they could just about get to Scotland in 9hours, except isn't the London lockup all dark when Bond arrives to pick up the Aston? That suggests it is evening, and autumn, so around now ie 5pm in November. Or later, as he has stopped off at MI6 to lay the false trail. 10 hours plus takes you to dawn the following day, but if he is spending a day setting up the house and meeting Kircade, and it gets dark quick at 4pm the next day, it sort of makes sense, as darkness falls quick on Skyfall after the chopper arrives.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • Gassy ManGassy Man USAPosts: 2,972MI6 Agent
    Watched it again the other night. The flaws still resonate -- villain too much like The Dark Knight's Joker; Craig looking pretty old rather than just burnt out; poor dispatch of Severine, one of the more intriguing Bond women of late; odd Straw Dogs climax where Bond goes to save M but inadvertently gets her killed; missed opportunity with the animated sequence to fill us in on Bond's history rather than a bunch of Hot Topic-like images to Adele's warbling; a script focused more on plot than character.

    On the other hand, I liked Q and Moneypenny better and am actually more excited about Ralph Fienne's M, who stands to be a good successor to Judi Dench. The clothes looked even sharper to me, and though I thought the CGI looked crappier (watch the scorpion, for instance), I found the stunt sequences, which seemed rather ho hum when I saw them in the theater, a little more interesting due to their complexity.
  • L JonesL Jones Posts: 131MI6 Agent
    My opinion of SKYFALL hasn't changed one bit. I still despise it for its plot holes, the over-the-top villainy of Javier Bardem and especially its shoddy portrayal of the female characters.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,062MI6 Agent
    L Jones wrote:
    My opinion of SKYFALL hasn't changed one bit. I still despise it
    Wow, that's a pretty strong word. :o :D
    I could forgive a lot more about it if Dan's head hadn't been practically shaved... :s
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    L Jones wrote:
    My opinion of SKYFALL hasn't changed one bit. I still despise it for its plot holes, the over-the-top villainy of Javier Bardem and especially its shoddy portrayal of the female characters.

    Just curious - I can understand how you might feel that way about Severine, but what was "shoddy" about the portrayals of M and Moneypenny?
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • L JonesL Jones Posts: 131MI6 Agent
    L Jones wrote:
    My opinion of SKYFALL hasn't changed one bit. I still despise it for its plot holes, the over-the-top villainy of Javier Bardem and especially its shoddy portrayal of the female characters.

    Just curious - I can understand how you might feel that way about Severine, but what was "shoddy" about the portrayals of M and Moneypenny?

    For me to answer your question would take an essay . . . and I"m not in the mood.
  • Agent 00 FrogAgent 00 Frog Edinburgh, ScotlandPosts: 122MI6 Agent
    I agree that the portrayal of certain women in the film is less than spectacular, but this is the most fleshed out versions of M and Moneypenny we have ever seen in the series, so you have to agree it is a step in the right direction, and much better than what we have been treated to in the past as far as equality goes.
    "Set your hopes up way too high, living's in the way we die"
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I for one thought all three M, Moneypenny and Severine. Were very good even Severine, although a
    smaller role, Was very dramatic. But that's the great thing about opinions, they can all be different. :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Charmed & DangerousCharmed & Dangerous Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
    Gassy Man wrote:
    ... a script focused more on plot than character...

    It's funny that everyone sees things differently. I thought it was the most character-driven Bond film yet. The exploration of Bond's character and how his past has shaped him, his relationship with M and his parents, the triangle with Silva (as it were), lifted it far above the usual two - dimensional (though still brilliantly enjoyable) films.
    "How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,467MI6 Agent
    L Jones wrote:
    L Jones wrote:
    My opinion of SKYFALL hasn't changed one bit. I still despise it for its plot holes, the over-the-top villainy of Javier Bardem and especially its shoddy portrayal of the female characters.

    Just curious - I can understand how you might feel that way about Severine, but what was "shoddy" about the portrayals of M and Moneypenny?

    For me to answer your question would take an essay . . . and I"m not in the mood.

    Well, of course there's the way MP had to take the blame and get sacked for her shot, when she was obeying orders the way Bond had done leaving that agent to die just earlier. She is happy to be demoted it turns out. Oh, and we only get to learn her name at the end of the film, correction, even Bond only gets to learn her name. Dearie me.

    M? Well, I can't help thinking the writer had something different in mind to the director. As written, she is a Colonel Blimp figure, sadly out of touch and battling past wars, using that old spiel of staying on to correct her mistakes as beloved of dodgy, found-out politicians, then reading out a poem while a villain is bearing down on them! But many including the director seem to think this makes her a heroic figure, to be applauded! Then there's the whole, let's take her some place out of the way without firearms or back up while the villain gets to smoke us out... plot.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    L Jones wrote:

    Just curious - I can understand how you might feel that way about Severine, but what was "shoddy" about the portrayals of M and Moneypenny?

    For me to answer your question would take an essay . . . and I"m not in the mood.

    Well, of course there's the way MP had to take the blame and get sacked for her shot, when she was obeying orders the way Bond had done leaving that agent to die just earlier. She is happy to be demoted it turns out. Oh, and we only get to learn her name at the end of the film, correction, even Bond only gets to learn her name. Dearie me.

    M? Well, I can't help thinking the writer had something different in mind to the director. As written, she is a Colonel Blimp figure, sadly out of touch and battling past wars, using that old spiel of staying on to correct her mistakes as beloved of dodgy, found-out politicians, then reading out a poem while a villain is bearing down on them! But many including the director seem to think this makes her a heroic figure, to be applauded! Then there's the whole, let's take her some place out of the way without firearms or back up while the villain gets to smoke us out... plot.

    In my view, giving the female characters certain flaws and having them make mistakes (just as men do) is not the same as "shoddy treatment" of those characters. One may have a different view of the plot and how it plays out, but I believe those are attempts to flesh out the characters and to give certain females more significant roles than in the typical Bond film. For me, it worked.
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
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