“Skyfall” (2012) is the 23rd James Bond film, appearing 50 years after the first one. It stars Daniel Craig as Bond, Judi Dench as M, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris and, as the Bond girl, Bérénice Marlohe. Adele sings the opening song. Sam Mendes directs.
Premise: MI6 is bombed by terrorists and a list of their spies has fallen into enemy hands. The evil villain is a former British spy who knows all their tricks and is a hacker besides. Bond is getting old and washed up – he cannot even shoot straight. M is threatened with forced retirement. A dig, no doubt, at this being the 50th anniversary of the Bond films.
- Cool car: None except towards the end when Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 from “Goldfinger” (1964) is brought out of retirement.
- Foreign settings: Istanbul, Scotland, Shanghai, Macau. The last two are beautifully photographed at night. Scotland looks godforsaken, like it is at the far end of the world.
- Evil villain: Standard sicko evil genius.
- Best special effects: A train going off its tracks, a helicopter crashing.
- Smoking: only bad guys smoke in this one.
- Drinking: Bond drinks too much, but only when he hits bottom.
- Sex scenes: Two, very brief, very PG-13.
- You get to see: where Bond grew up in Scotland.
It was good because all Bond films are good, but as Bond films go this one was too predictable. Like I knew how the evil villain would be killed before he was killed.
We have seen it before:
- a fight scene on top of a moving train going through tunnels and across high bridges;
- Fruit stands knocked over during a chase scene;
- Bond hanging off the end of a moving lift;
- Motorcycles going up stairs inside of buildings during a chase scene.
Bond is seemingly killed right at the beginning – but we all know he is alive. Because Bond never dies.
There are two surprise twists in the plot and no shocker ending. Little suspense. The film rests on its action scenes, special effects and the relationship between Bond and M.
Naomie Harris, best known in America for being in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” films, plays a fellow spy. She only appears here and there. I wish they showed more of her. At least she did not die in the first 20 minutes.
When I first heard she was going to be in it, I thought she was going to be the Bond girl. I should have known better. There was no sexual tension between her and Bond except for one scene and it was probably one-sided on her part.
Like “Doctor Who”:
- Bad things always seem to take place in London.
- The evil villain is a technological threat.
Bond is not a tech whiz like Doctor Who. That part is played by Q.
Judi Dench’s M comes off as ice cold, even more than in past films. My sister assures me I am being sexist: if a man played the very same character I would not notice.
See also:
Abagond, It would have been great for Naomie Harris to be a Bond girl, But Hallie Berry was the black Bond girl can’t have black actresses being a Bond girl. Naomie is pretty enough but cant have two. Of course you knew that.
There’s even talk of Idris Alba being a James Bond. I don’t know how that’s would set with die hard Bond fans,But it works for me. I can totally see them flipping the script with Idris as Bond. Oh well a sister can dream can’t she?
Idris Elba as Bond would be awesome.
Forgive typo at the top *Hallie Berry was the first Bond girl. Meant to say can’t have two black Bond girls.
For future Bond girls Rhianna would be a good Bond girl.
Rhianna is pretty but she can’t act her way out of a paper bag >.>
“Idris Elba as Bond would be awesome.”
Yes, indeed. That would be a Bond film I’d actually bother to watch.
Ol’ Daniel Craig is lean and mean but he looks like a troll doll in the face.
I saw this a week ago. Thought it was all right, but still liked Casino Royale more.
No mention of Javier Bardem as Bond’s antagonist? I think he did a brilliant job.
I heard that Daniel Craig is actually very shy and finds it difficult to do the sex scenes, which may be why it’s so toned down. Other than that, the less sex, the more people can buy tickets (since violence is okay for kids, right? LOL).
I was quite happy to see Naomie Harris. Her character didn’t immediately bring any stereotypes to mind and she’s going to be the new Moneypenny.
I recently re-watched some old Bond films and thought Judi Dench came across a lot colder and stricter in the beginning than she did here. I actually got the impression M tries her best to keep her emotions out of her job and avoid them from clouding her judgement, but that she does care for Bond. Maybe I’m more used to being around poker-faced people.
The moment I saw Berenice Marlohe, I knew she was Eurasian. I read she had difficulty getting acting work in France because she `does not look like a French actress’ (i.e. White), so I hope being a Bond girl helps.
I read about the suggestions of Idris Elba as Bond, too. I would absolutely love to see that!
idris elba could definetly be the ultimate james bond,i would like to see robin thicke as well if he can act lol cuz i know he can sing and in his vids he is sexy and cool
Idris Elba as Bond?
I think I could die happy with my two favorite things meeting in such a way.
Oh course this James Bond is going to predictable. They don’t have the Bourne Series to imitate from anymore.Most of the dramatic action (Mission Impossible, Batman series ) movies of the mid ’00s to now all have been influenced greatly by Bourne’s aesthetics, cinematography and (ice cold humourless) character design.
Can I make a prediction? 95% of the people who now think a black James Bond is a good idea would/will criticize a black James Bond movie.
What if the black Bond is more violent than the previous white ones? The series does seem to become more realistic and gritty. Can’t you imagine the reactions? ‘Racism! Angry Black Man stereotype!’
He is less violent? ‘Racism! They made him docile so he wouldn’t be threatening!’
He has some major character flaw (like alcoholism)? ‘Racism! That’s how they see all black people! The black Bond must have a damaged personality…’
He is bland and generic? ‘Racism! Of course the black Bond couldn’t get good writing!’
The (main) Bond girl is black? ‘Racism! Of course the black Bond can only be with a black woman…’
Or the much more likely scenario – that the (main) Bond girl is white. ‘Racism! They didn’t want to portray black love! Of course they gave the black Bond a non-black love interest…’
And so on, and so on.
Do you know what would actually be good for everybody? Elba teaming up with Steve McQueen, borrowing 70 million from Will Smith, hiring a few black screenwriters and making a spy thriller, a new brand, by black people and for black people.
A comment from laromana:
Abagond, It would have been great for Naomie Harris to be a Bond girl, But Halle Berry was the black Bond girl can’t have black actresses being a Bond girl. Naomie is pretty enough but cant have two. Of course you knew that.laromana says,
Gloria Henry was the first Black Bond girl (not Halle Berry) and back in the 70′s BW didn’t have to be/look mixed race to be cast as love interests (regardless of the leading mans race).
@abagond
Yeah, I was about to say that Halle wasn’t exactly the first, though she did have a beginning-to-end role. Heck, wasn’t Grace Jones in one of the Bond flicks? I also agree about the regression taking place in general media along with the lack of ideas. Either its white-washed or oversexed…:/
Gloria Hendry*.
Yes, I think there have been three or four black women — one of whom was Grace Jones — and two or three Asians? But I am definitely on board the Idris as Bond train.
One of the main disappointments I had about Skyfall is that James Bond is the real birth name of Daniel Craig’s 007 character. Had the name James Bond only been a pseudonym, then transitioning to another actor (along with all the other actor portrayals over the years) would make sense because Bond isn’t so much his name, but his persona. In that sense, Bond could be an everyman — or maybe even a woman — because the name is not so much about who he is, but what he does, and it would be expected (and logical) that he changes over time.
Some of you might like this Facebook page. It seems there’s a lot of people that want Idris Elba as James Bond.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/We-Want-Idris-Elba-for-James-Bond/239813472708882
@laromana, Good looking out. That was great. An real ebony sister that’s not mixed race. That’s really something and that was in the 70′s. A natural woman with beautiful ebony black skin and natural hair. I forgot about Grace Jones in View to A Kill. Again Good Looking out. I’m impressed.
Gloria Henry is perfection! Mush hotter than Halle Berry!
^you can’t be serious…
Is she also hotter than Naomi Campbell? (rhetorical question by the way)
I thought Skyfall was awesome. Yes, it has elements of the Bourne movies but I still think it was good. I like that the last three installments brought me up to speed about the man James Bond.
I wish I saw Naomi Harris more often too. It does seem that the possible romance between the two was onsided. It looked to be that Bond was wondering if he should get jiggy with the pretty black agent girl who nearly killed him
I really liked that she turned out to be the famous Moneypenny.
Most movies are predictable, aren’t they?
* onesided
@Legion
Yes I’m very serious. Why? Is it hard to believe that every black man doesn’t worship Halle Berry?lol Naomi is pretty hot but I’ve never been a big fan to be honest. That’s a close one though. It’s all a matter of taste. But here in California. I see black women that look like Halle all the time. There’s a ton of biracial folks out here.I’m not too big on worshiping biracial women above black women.
Moneypenny’s character is designed to chase Bond. The idea of one-sided sexual tension is an integral trait.
@Kushite Prince
My comment has got nothing to do with any of the tired meme/talking points you threw in. You’d have to know whether I fell into those memes to know if they apply to me.
I’m not a big fan of Halle or Naomi actually. (I pulled out Naomi cause she’s well known and popularly regarded for her looks.) But just seeing that picture of Henry, for me, Halle and Naomi are easily more attractive. But that’s me. You are right about this being a matter of taste.
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There was a subplot in the movie School Daze that was significant: Lawrence Fishburn’s character was this crusading, noble, black student. His girlfriend was dark skinned. At a point in the film she tells him he is is with her, in significant part, only to make a political statement by showing how he uplifts “real” blacks, and to show how “really” black he is too.
Your response comment reminded me of that subplot.
@ Legion Well the way you came at me like what you said was a FACT. So you sounded like you fell into one of those memes. And as far as the School Daze reference,I guess you think I fall into a certain meme as well. I guess you want to tell me who are the “real” blacks,right?lol
Is “lol” some sort of devastating debate technique? Your latest comment is a nonsensical ramble. People always have me beat when they start speaking gibberish.
Anyway, take care Kushite.
Have you ever met a person who claimed to like jazz or classical music but rarely listened to it? Some people say they like certain things because those things are elements of a stereotypical personality, of the image they are trying to project.
Is saying someone is speaking gibberish some sort of devastating debate technique? The bottom line is you attacked me first for my personal taste. So you swung FIRST. Then I defended myself–and now you want to act offended and holier than thou. Some of you internet folks can dish it out but can’t take it. You seem so sensitive. I suspect you’re a female.
Anyway,take care Legion.
Ah.The Darkskin Fallacy that as used mainly by crazed Afrocentrists. To make his point, the Afrocentrist compare two women – a homely dark-skinned black woman (say, Whoopi Goldberg), and a light-skinned woman that is considered beautiful according to mainstream media (like Halle Berry). Whenever anyone makes the obvious choice of picking Halle, the Afrocentrist will then attempt to make the person feel guilty for picking the light-skinned woman, despite the fact that she is obviously more beautiful.
I suppose they do this to make themselves feel superior to us ‘sheeple’,all while easing his inferiority complex.
I personally don’t have a dog in this fight. Halle never did it for me (Nicole Ari Parker on the other hand…..) , and Noemie has a V-Shape that I’m really not feeling. I wonder how it would have had been to have Pam Grier as a Bond girl. Ah, for want of a time machine.
Watching this movie just to see Naomie Harris. love her!
Naomie Harris is so pretty- I’m glad she was in the film. I hope she will feature more in subsequent Bond movies.
I suspect you’re a female.
*Legion grins from ear to ear.*
Heh, heh, oh Kushite, my man!!
You really are like a dagger pointed at the heart of Antartica.
My turn to laugh out loud!
@Eco, Satanforce
Amen, the two of you get it; you clearly see the meaning of the School Daze reference. Thanks for putting your comments ‘out there’.
Some people say they like certain things because those things are elements of a stereotypical personality, of the image they are trying to project.
Ugh, yeah we’ve all met those people who so love Jazz or Classical. Oh my, they are ever so cultured and sophisticated–sheesh! There was a phenomena during the 90′s when every Rapper and their Aunt Bertha were wearing ‘African Medallions’. (The black public in North America were doing it too.) This phenomenon, in part*, was the same thing as Eco’s point.
I vaguely recollect some rapper on The Arsenio Hall show giving a staid explanation to Arsenio about what his African Medallion meant to him. He was so inarticulate and vague it was pretty Godawful to watch. I’d bet my last South African Rand that this “musical artist” hadn’t really given any deep thought as to whether Africa mattered to him or if it should matter to him. He just followed the rest of the crowd, and of course showed everyone how impressively black he was. How deep.
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*Certainly this time period was a mixture of the superficial fashion victim and blacks who really did gain a renewed pride and expanded interests. But pretending everyone was virtuous is just not real.
^hey you!
when are you gonna get an avatar already? You may get mistaken for a guy, but I sure as shite don’t think you’re a google eyed raging triangle.
Very detailed review. I think I will avoid this movie thanks.
Just an avatar, not a photo. I know you’ve got the privacy concerns, and that is wise. I myself would never do the photo thing. Y. and Leigh are brave and swell looking!
I’m glad Naomie Harris got the role of Miss Moneypenny in the movie because that means she will have an ongoing role in maybe some other Bond films. In other James Bond movies, the white Miss Moneypennys wanted James Bond too, but they had to keep a business relationship with him just like Naomie did. Nothing changed because the role didn’t change.
@ K.P. said: Gloria Henry is perfection! Mush hotter than Halle Berry!
K.P. also said: Yes I’m very serious. Why? Is it hard to believe that every black man doesn’t worship Halle Berry?lol Naomi is pretty hot but I’ve never been a big fan to be honest. That’s a close one though. It’s all a matter of taste. But here in California. I see black women that look like Halle all the time. There’s a ton of biracial folks out here.I’m not too big on worshiping biracial women above black women.
JensenJay said: Thank you, K.P.(KUSHITE PRINCE) for saying what i would have said.
I to am not a fan of biracial women ether.
@JensenJay Thanks a lot. I’m not trying to offend biracial women. There are some really pretty ones. I just think we need to embrace all the shades of black in our community. Dark skin or kight skin doesn’t matter to me. I’m not tripping over skin tone. But we have to be mindful when Hollywood continues to put women like Halle,Alicia keys and Paula Patton has the black women “ideal” when they’re really biracial women. I get this real uneasy feeling they’re using mixed/biracial women to replace black women who come from two black parents.I just think many times darker skinned sistas get pushed aside. And we need balance in my opinion. We can’t let others dictate to us what is beautiful about us. That’s all I’m saying.