Skyfall - Movie Review

Skyfall
Review by Matthew Burdfield

This has to be Daniel Craig’s best Bond film yet.  After starring in the last two Bond films Daniel Craig has shown his true colours as he goes on an intense journey with M when an attack on MI6 happens, Bond must track down and destroy the threat, whatever the cost. Alongside Daniel Craig there was probably one best played ‘M’s in all the Bonds.  Judi Dench as the outgoing M leaves big shoes to fill for future M (Ralph Fiennes) . The main reason why it is one of the best Bond films yet is due to creativeness and imaginative Sam Mendes. Sam Mendes brought a new insight into Bond as he developed the viewer’s understanding of the Bond characters. This shown for the first time as Bond shows his emotion. From Sam Mendes experience he directed SkyFall so maturely, I’m sure we would expect to see him direct more bond quality films. Javier Bardem executes one the best Bond villains of them all as his character ‘Silva’ once part of the MI6, but was later betrayed. This makes him even worse as he is a very cunning, unpredictable, savage and set for retribution.

A Bond film is most famous for Bonds charms, Aston Martins, the use futuristic gadgets and Vodka Martini “Shaken not Stirred”. All of these are iconic because if someone was to ask you about Aston Martins or a Vodka Martini you would refer to James Bond as the films are so well known all around the world. The letter M is very symbolic as it suggests that ‘M’ can be used as a mother like figure. Although seeming forward, it is also most logical as ‘M’ always tries to protect her team, as in the film James Bond protects ‘M’ when they are being tracked by ‘Silva’, when the safest place to be was a Mansion in Scotland. Later we find out this Mansion was called SkyFall, which was where Bond used to live with his Mother and Father before they died in a car crash making him an orphan. This backs-up the idea of ‘M’s M for mother as ‘M’ was the closest thing to a mother Bond had. This Bond film also introduced Q and Money Penny and how their journey in the bond films began. 

Directed by Oscar-winner Mendes and filmed with a master's touch by Roger Deakins, this is a Bond film that will transform many Bond films to come. There are two amazing choreographed action scenes, showing the bravery of bond and the traditional action scenes from chases to shoot-outs.  Adele's soul-stirring theme song ‘SkyFall’, sold £600,000 in the UK and $2000, 000 in America. This epic movie had a grand budget of £200,000,000. Money well spent. The film was very well advertised as it was on when the Olympics was taking place in London therefore making more money for the countries income.

SkyFall is one of your most typical Action, Adventure and Crime films as there is good vs. evil and the will to get the task done. As shown in the film Scotland seems darker and gives us a sense of isolation, this is shown as SkyFall the mansion was old and in the middle of Scotland’s country. Throughout the film setting is set with age. The SkyFall Mansion looked old having being dilapidated and haunted as its haunts bond for the last time. As bonds history burns to the ground he secures his future. I suppose the only bad things about the film are that some parts of the film are sexist as it shows the female actors as a pornographic icon. Some of the scenes are appear fake as when he’s climbing an elevator shaft or running on top of a train they make it look so easy.   

‘SkyFall’ drops strongly in first place as the best of Bond. So I suppose the 23rd time's the charm. If you are a James Bond fan I know you will definitely love it, if not a fan I recommend you watch this film anyway as it gives a sense perspective of that you are one of the characters as you become attached to them slightly.