Skyfall on Prime Video — Welcome to Scotland
Skyfall is the best Daniel Craig bond movie, and the most fun movie which reminds me of the many entertaining bond movies of Brosnan, Moore and Connery.
I knew right off the opening chase on the rooftops of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, that, this is peak Craig. After this, Craig movies can only go down. And they did. Both Spectre and No Time to Die go back to being just as awful as Quantum of Solace.
We will worry about those movies when I make posts of them.
For now, let’s talk about the best Daniel Craig bond movie, Skyfall!
The Cinematography
The harry potter movies, the third movie, Prisoner of Azkaban, has this enchanting noir magic style to it. It’s short and is exceedingly rewatchable. The primary reason is its look and feel. The camera work and lighting.
You see the same thing happen when you are watching Mad Max Fury Road. And, Blade Runner, both of them. Or John Carter.
I am true sucker for movies that have that incredible visual quality. Skyfall is a definitive addition to that list. Every scene movie is so well lit. That light filled scenes in Shanghai. The cold snowy foggy climax in the hills of Scotland. That chase scene through the London metro.
Even that scene where bond removes shrapnel from his shoulder is silhouetted for a grand effect. As always, these visuals are matched to a fantastic amount of music.
It’s a treat for the eyes and the ears.
Familiars Return
At last, the regulars that I love so much about classic bond movies are back.
Money Penny is back, this time, filling a diversity slot in a good way. She is a bit of a field agent, but, gets reassigned. Also, it is strongly implied that along with exchanging sexual innuendos with bond, she actual ends about having rock hard intercourse with bond.
It’s not shown but come on. That open blouse with the nice bra, can only mean one thing.
Also, Q is back. Sort of. This time it’s more technology and young and also gay Q. I mention that because, like most Hollywood movies, bond has to move on with times. So, we have a homosexual Q.
also, male M is back. I have nothing against female M, but, male M is also okay. M is M. So, that’s good.
Practical Stunts, Sensible Story and Bond Villains
The main thing that is missing in most of Craig’s bond is a proper bond villain. All other bonds had crazy good villains. Craig has been unlucky. Except here.
Silva is one of the coolest villains and his presence, his motivation and colorful portrayal with a bizarre deformity is what elevates this movie from good to top of the line.
All that planning is very reminiscent of Joker from The Dark Knight. Plot is very similar to the very first Mission Impossible movie. The stunts are still borrowing from Jason Bourne but this time, thanks to Sam Mendes, we don't have shaky cam anymore. Also, the stunts seem to be as practical as possible with Craig pushing himself to the limits.
The story makes sense too. Craig movies come with a lot of emotional baggage with Craig Bond always crying about Vesper. In this movie, there is none of that Vesper nonsense. Which is another reason this movie is so good.
Small tiny things are also well done. The pre credits action sequence has a capable agent of evil who goes toe to toe with 007. Then, that slick fight sequence in the Komodo dragon pit. It’s funny and cool. Komodo Dragons are always cool. They are like dinosaurs, but, you know, not extinct.
Severine, ah!
Severine is another in a long line of ‘dies after intercoursing with bond’ girls, but, she is the perfect bond girl.
The actress is, BM, is extremely hot too. Her wardrobe is just intense and amazing.
Anyway, yes, another plus for Skyfall.
Score
I am marathon watching the James Bond movies and I wish to rank them at the end. So, I came up with a numbering system. The scores for this one are here.
- Action and Stunts 9/9
- Coolness Cool 9/9
- Double Entendre and One Liners 9/9
- Hot Women 9/9
- Ludicrous Villainy, Cool Deaths and Traps 9/9 (that balls torture scene is totally cool)
- Gadgets Man! 9/9
- General Awesomeness 9/9
- Boredom Factor 0/-9 (perfunctory action scenes)
Total : 63
Final Note
By far, this is the most entertaining, back to basics bond movie for Craig. This is also the only movie that I do my usual ‘rewatching’ thing, as far as Daniel Craig bond is concerned.
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