Skyfall....A Personal View...With NO Spoliers...

124

Comments

  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,417Chief of Staff
    On the time front as QOS starts 45 minutes after the end of Casino Royale.
    Wouldn't it be Six years . :007)

    I think you may be right... ;% ...time for a lie down in a darkened room methinks ! :))
    YNWA 97
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Sir Miles wrote :
    I think you may be right...

    It's sad when this sort of thing starts. "You've had a good run M "
    Took me two goes to post this as even My Computer couldn't believe it. :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,988Quartermasters
    Saw it on opening day, and am about to see it for a second time in a little over an hour; decided to keep my powder dry until a second viewing before I wrote a review---and am purposefully not reading other reviews beforehand. Back in a few hours, when I'll likely compose my thoughts over a freshly-made Vesper...and see what others think :007)
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • LexiLexi LondonPosts: 3,000MI6 Agent
    Sir Miles wrote:
    Lexi wrote:
    ... then suddenly we're catapulted to him needing serious time off because he's so 'jaded' from his roll as Bond... it is quite a stretch to go with that thinking.... :#

    I got the impression he 'needed the time off' because M gave the order for Eve take the shot in the full knowledge that she would most probably hit Bond and that he was to be considered 'collateral damage'....he felt betrayed...but I agree that some time has passed since we last saw him...well...at least four years anyway :p :))

    Yes, I forgot that... and his feelings for Ronson
    the chap he had to leave behind

    He must have realised that M ordered the shot... no matter what it meant.

    I guess it wouldn't have been too remiss to have some sort of dialogue in the 'enjoying death' scenes to express this.

    That is my only gripe with this movie, we are never in one place long enough to get a feel for the emotions. Another 45 minutes would have probably been a good idea ;)
    She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
  • Sir MilesSir Miles The Wrong Side Of The WardrobePosts: 26,417Chief of Staff
    Sir Miles wrote :
    I think you may be right...

    It's sad when this sort of thing starts. "You've had a good run M "
    Took me two goes to post this as even My Computer couldn't believe it. :))

    Yes..well...I'll be damned if I'll leave AJB in a worse state than when I found it... :p
    YNWA 97
  • Mr Arlington BeechMr Arlington Beech Posts: 12MI6 Agent
    Lexi wrote:
    That is my only gripe with this movie, we are never in one place long enough to get a feel for the emotions. Another 45 minutes would have probably been a good idea ;)

    I quite agree, we chop and change quite a bit which doesn't lend itself to being able to connect with the character as much as we could - borrow some of the time from the end of the movie (which I think was a little drawn out) and put it to good use in letting us in a bit more to his emotions. Overall I enjoyed the movie, but I don't think I enjoyed it as muchas CR - I think this is because, in my opinion, we see a bit more of Bond's emotions and feelings in CR. Would liked to have got under the skin a bit more in SF.
  • L JonesL Jones Posts: 131MI6 Agent
    There was a great deal of things about the plot I did not understand. I think this is why I couldn't enjoy "SKYFALL" in the end.
  • BenjboiBenjboi Posts: 3MI6 Agent
    I find it difficult to pass opinion on skyfall. I came out the theatre without a particularly strong opinion and perhaps that's what may cause it to fall down the ranks. Once the hype recedes we may get a goldeneye effect and see its popularity wane as time passes. When I watched cr it blew me away, same as when I saw gf, frwl and tswlm for the first time. I didn't get that feeling with skyfall. Too many nods to the old bond films shoehorned in too many poorly developed themes for my liking and overly long. It falls into my top 10 but not my top 5.
  • L JonesL Jones Posts: 131MI6 Agent
    Benjboi wrote:
    I find it difficult to pass opinion on skyfall. I came out the theatre without a particularly strong opinion and perhaps that's what may cause it to fall down the ranks. Once the hype recedes we may get a goldeneye effect and see its popularity wane as time passes. When I watched cr it blew me away, same as when I saw gf, frwl and tswlm for the first time. I didn't get that feeling with skyfall. Too many nods to the old bond films shoehorned in too many poorly developed themes for my liking and overly long. It falls into my top 10 but not my top 5.


    "SKYFALL" doesn't even make the top 15 on my list.
  • bailorgbailorg Posts: 124MI6 Agent
    Saw it on opening day, and am about to see it for a second time in a little over an hour; decided to keep my powder dry until a second viewing before I wrote a review---and am purposefully not reading other reviews beforehand. Back in a few hours, when I'll likely compose my thoughts over a freshly-made Vesper...and see what others think :007)

    So...did something happen to Loeffelholz?

    Or did I just completely miss his review?
    (1) TLD (2) FRWL (3) LTK (4) CR (5) QoS (6) FYEO (7)OHMSS (8) DN (9) GF (10) TSWLM (11) TND (12) GE (13) SF (14) LALD (15) TWINE (16) AVTAK (17) DAF (18) OP (19) TMWTGG (20) DAD (21) MR (22) YOLT (23) TB
  • zaphodzaphod Posts: 1,183MI6 Agent
    bailorg wrote:
    Saw it on opening day, and am about to see it for a second time in a little over an hour; decided to keep my powder dry until a second viewing before I wrote a review---and am purposefully not reading other reviews beforehand. Back in a few hours, when I'll likely compose my thoughts over a freshly-made Vesper...and see what others think :007)

    So...did something happen to Loeffelholz?

    Or did I just completely miss his review?

    I wondered that as well.We often disagree, but I look forward to his well considered view and really can't predict how he will react to Skyfall.
  • hoppimikehoppimike London, UKPosts: 54MI6 Agent
    (this is my review from the spoilers thread... but minus potential spoilers!)


    I was very, very disappointed by Skyfall.

    Recently I was getting really into the Bond films again for the first time really since the late 90s, and rewatched Casino Royale (which I adore) followed by watching Quantum of Solace for the first time (which I adore). I also watched Goldfinger through for the first time (also a very good film).

    GoldenEye I also think is outstanding, although my opinion of the later Brosnan films is not quite as high.

    However, with Skyfall... I am unsure where to start in expressing how much this film disappointed me. I found it morbid, dull and predictable, chucking in easy clichés in the hope of impressing the audience.

    Gone are the colourful, exotic locations of Quantum of Solace, the captivating storyline and believable yet charismatic villain of Casino Royale or the piled-on style of GoldenEye, and in its place is a movie venture that looks tired, diluted and cheap.

    Very rarely were moments I enjoyed. A few stand-out lines are pleasing such as M's "Take the bloody shot!", and the initial action scene leading up to the suitably morbid introduction. The villain is interesting but to me lacks the class and depth of Le Chiffre or Greene.

    What else erm... I guess that's about it. I understand that the budget got cut but my goodness it must have been pretty severe to explain this. I also felt this felt worse and more noticeable as the film went on.

    I honestly struggle to think of more strengths, outside of the fantastic action sequence before the title song, which felt like a welcome echo of Quantum of Solace. Some of the new characters are nice but I found the gadgets very much lacking.

    Overall, simply pointless and tired. I look forward to the series' next reboot, may it be a little brighter than this!!!

    My rating would be around 4/10 whereas I would give Casino and Quantum 10 and 8.5 respectively.

    I have actually cancelled my pre-order of Skyfall and instead purchased GoldenEye and Dr. No!

    Movies: The Spy Who Loved Me. Actor: Pierce Brosnan. Theme: You Only Live Twice. :D

  • Mr MalloryMr Mallory North by northwestPosts: 632MI6 Agent
    It was not as good as Quantum of Solace or Casino Royale but still
    a great film. Craig is a great James Bond.
    What makes you think this is my first time?
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Watched it again this afternoon, I know many have pointed out holes in the plot etc, but for me at least
    it's still a great Bond film, love the Cinematography.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Watched it again this afternoon, I know many have pointed out holes in the plot etc, but for me at least
    it's still a great Bond film, love the Cinematography.

    Still holds up for me, too. -{
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • Charmed & DangerousCharmed & Dangerous Posts: 7,358MI6 Agent
    Watched it again this afternoon, I know many have pointed out holes in the plot etc, but for me at least
    it's still a great Bond film, love the Cinematography.

    Still holds up for me, too. -{

    It's pretty much my go-to Bond film at the moment, especially the first and last thirds, which IMO are excellent.
    "How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I've come to really like the end bit in Scotland. -{ a great mix of action with some fantastic performances.
    ( Only as it's Scotland, shouldn't it be raining. Like ALL the time ) :))
    "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
    I feel a post from Barbel coming on.... :))
    "How was your lamb?" "Skewered. One sympathises."
  • KabraxalKabraxal Posts: 104MI6 Agent
    I tried rewatching it again after a long break... all I could feel was annoyance growing until it becomes full out frustration and anger by the middle of the film. At that point, I simply turned it off. For some reason, I just cannot stand this film. It still confuses me since both prior Craig films were in my top bond film lists but Skyfall is just a bad film in my eye. And it doesn't help that, as a Bond film, I don't feel it has many Bond hallmarks and traditions outside of perfunctory and self referrential nods. And maybe that's what bothers me.. it gave Bond history a lip service while really not keeping the film feeling like a Bond film when all is said and done.

    I guess I'll just have to accept I will have a Bond film that I just can't enjoy. Maybe I should count myself lucky that it's the first and only time this has happened so far. I know some people have had multiple Bonds do this to them personally.
    Top Ten Bond - 10:Goldfinger 9:Thunderball 8:The Spy who Loved Me 7:For Your Eyes Only 6: Casino Royale 5:The Man with the Golden Gun 4:Quantum of Solace 3:Licence to Kill 2:Goldeneye 1:The Living Daylights
  • CmdrAtticusCmdrAtticus United StatesPosts: 1,102MI6 Agent
    Skyfall for me is near the top of my series list, precisely because it was not done like the old series. I know many fans prefer the old EON template and believe this is how the films must be done - which are basically remakes of GF/TB/YOLT; supercriminal, Q tricks, ban puns; Bond never gets a scratch and is arrogant and smug and never is emotional; villains HQ blown up and dozens of thugs gunned down; Bond ends up in arms of heroine. Those are the traditions and hallmarks -check, check, check.

    Yes, they did have the third act template of a structure being destroyed with explosions and a lot of thugs being mowed down, but it was done more realistically for me. EON still feels they need to do this for the audience (and even Fleming did it in some of his novels). Personally, I grew tired of them, which is why I'm glad they rebooted the series even though they still have a few hallmarks left in - as in the explosive climaxes.

    We have decades of the old series to re-watch to continually enjoy the way the series used to be done and for those who prefer going out to their favorite eatery and always ordering the same dessert, that's fine. However, I am glad to at least have the opportunity to try a new dessert- even if it still has a few ingredients from the my old favorite.
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    Skyfall for me is near the top of my series list, precisely because it was not done like the old series. I know many fans prefer the old EON template and believe this is how the films must be done - which are basically remakes of GF/TB/YOLT; supercriminal, Q tricks, ban puns; Bond never gets a scratch and is arrogant and smug and never is emotional; villains HQ blown up and dozens of thugs gunned down; Bond ends up in arms of heroine. Those are the traditions and hallmarks -check, check, check.

    Yes, they did have the third act template of a structure being destroyed with explosions and a lot of thugs being mowed down, but it was done more realistically for me. EON still feels they need to do this for the audience (and even Fleming did it in some of his novels). Personally, I grew tired of them, which is why I'm glad they rebooted the series even though they still have a few hallmarks left in - as in the explosive climaxes.

    We have decades of the old series to re-watch to continually enjoy the way the series used to be done and for those who prefer going out to their favorite eatery and always ordering the same dessert, that's fine. However, I am glad to at least have the opportunity to try a new dessert- even if it still has a few ingredients from the my old favorite.

    +1
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,483MI6 Agent
    This film has really grown on me, and is now in my top five. It's just a beautiful looking film. And I love that it is set mostly in the UK. Sometimes different is good.
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  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    So which are your top 5?

    Barbie: Fairytopia ? :))
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,483MI6 Agent
    Bondtoys wrote:
    So which are your top 5?

    Barbie: Fairytopia ? :))

    Never seen those. Any good?

    No weepy eyed TD films in my top five, so button your lip Tots!
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  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    I had to find that on wikipedia :D

    No Dalton - very good! now seriosly - which are your Top 5?

    CR, OHMSS, FRWL, TB and SF?
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,483MI6 Agent
    FRWL, CR, OHMSS, SF, TB

    Close.
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  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,483MI6 Agent
    Actually, to be fair. I'd put FRWL,CR,OHMSS as number one and SF and TB at number two. There's little to choose between them.
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  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    So I hve guessed them all correctly?

    I know you so well :D
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
  • Asp9mmAsp9mm Over the Hills and Far Away.Posts: 7,483MI6 Agent
    What are yours then Higgins?
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  • HigginsHiggins GermanyPosts: 16,618MI6 Agent
    Guess!
    President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.

    Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
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