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If you are not 18, please exit stage left. While there is normally nothing naughty here, I do write and review erotica so there are links to spicy stuff and the occasional heated excerpt.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Skyfall: Best Bond In A Very long Time

So I took some time and went to the cheap matinee yesterday to strap in for Skyfall, the latest Bond flick. I was excited from all the reviews and hype, but my emotion was tempered by the sheer awfulness of Quantum of Solace and my high regard for Casino Royale. Skyfall had a lot to live up to. And boy did it ever. In fact, it far exceeded my wildest imaginings for Bond.

Mendes has raised the bar so high, it's well, like me standing before a pole vault and looking up. We open with a killer action sequence in Turkey with Bond and a fellow agent in hot pursuit of a goon in possession of a hard drive that contains the identities of all NATO agents embedded with terrorist organizations around the world. Love the chase through Istanbul and the driving Turkish music that amped up the tension. Naomie Harris rocked as Eve, a fellow agent whose driving skills would make the Secret Service drool. They pursue this little bastard onto a train, but eventually lose him and the hardrive.

Bond, injured in the hunt, disappears for a bit and returns just as MI6 agents start dying and M is fighting for her career and reputation.  He re-teams with Eve and the story shifts to Shanghai as Bond tracks down the man who shot him in Turkey. They fight, Bond wins and encounters Severine, who tells him  pssst, he's about to be killed, then claims she will "help" him if he kills her employer. Yawn...Don't they always? This was the one part of the story I didn't buy, a minor thing, really. She was needed only to point Bond at Raoul, something that could have easily been handled another way, but we're talking Bond, so it's always the candy that brings on the villain.Just like Hansel and the gingerbread house.

Bond gets hauled before Raoul Silva, a maniacal psycho bent on Wrath of God vengeance. Oh Javier, how do I love thee? Let me count each psychotic way...The seductive interrogation of 007, the Hannibal Lechter prison scene, the shooting at the inquiry, the chase in the tunnel, the helicopter raid in Scotland...I could go on and on. All of it was a demented joy ride and I was addicted the moment Javier stepped on screen. He really brought the old school Bond villain. Plus, he owned an island. High five, Sam Mendes!

After a really...ahem... interesting interrogation, Bond is released and follows Silva out, where the tables get turned and we are off to London. Here's where things really get amped. We know M is ruthless, but damn, old girl really is hardcore steel. And hell to the yeah, it's about time we get respect for being able to make those ballsy decisions same as men. Judi is the ultimate Bond girl for me. She keeps 007 in line as well as ruling MI6. I have loved her M since we were introduced to this incarnation back in Goldeneye.

Speaking of Bond's ladies, let me just say that Naomie is one hell of a Bond girl, she's smart, driven and can handle 007. Other than Naomie, there wasn't much in the way of a Bond babe coterie. We have a nameless woman he hides out in bed with. Apparently, she really is only good for one thing. Then we have the completely vacuous Berenice Marlohe as Severine. Poor Berenice is no more animated than frozen pasta. She's just there like a store mannequin, delivering her lines in a monotone as though she had to concentrate really hard on each syllable. I wished she would have at least attempted a personality, but perhaps this was beyond her meager skill set.

London is where the action shoots into hyperdrive and we get THE CAR. Pause for the choirs of angels and the golden light. Yes, Bond kicks it all traditional with an Aston Martin DB5. I was so happy I was crying. The AM DB5 is the first car that I ever wanted with all my heart. The audience where I was let out a collective squeal upon the reveal. Another high five for Mendes bringing back Bond's most famous ride and with such awesomeness, too.

I would be completely remiss if I did not comment on Daniel Craig's outstanding performance as Bond. He has really taken Bond to whole new level. We see the vulnerabilities and cracks, which only make him seem more larger than life. He outshines his Casino Royale performance in every way. And I really liked that one. And Q, oh my God I loved this new Q, Ben Whishaw was arrogant, nerdy and kept his cool under fire. I also give major props to Albert Finney as Kincaide and Ralph Fiennes as Mallory. They struck the notes perfectly with Craig's Bond.

This was a fantastic film and is definitely one of my all time favorite Bond movies, if not THE favorite. I could go on for days about all the incredible things in this movie, but I will spare you. One note, the theme song by Adele was haunting and coupled with the outstanding kaleidoscope of the opening credits, was just a pure sumptuous visual  and aural feast. See this movie NOW.

38 comments:

  1. Daniel Craig has claimed the role as his own. My wife was upset with the ending, but I had a feeling it would happen. Actions scenes were great, especially the helicopter going into that house.

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    1. He sure has! I was upset by the ending as well. Tell your wife that Judi has retired from M because of her worsening eyesight. She has macular degeneration I think.

      I loved that helicopter and the train in the hole. Wow!

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  2. The huge amount of super-positive reviews is overwhelming. I wish I'd like Daniel Craig more, then I'd surely watch it.

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    1. What's not to like about Daniel Craig? :) I won't press, but it is a great action flick and if you ever need something to watch...

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  3. As a casual fan I loved it! Harris and Whishaw were great additions - I hope they stick around

    K :-)

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    1. I really loved Harris and Whishaw. They were just fantastic in their roles and such on screen presences amongst true cinema heavyweights. I'm looking forward to more from them.

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    2. Another causal fan here too and I loved it, fastest 2 and half hours I've spent at the movies in a long time. Great review Melissa!

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    3. Thanks, Daniel! It was a fast 2 and a half. I was so absorbed I didn't even realize so much time had passed.

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  4. Really want to see this. The closest I came to seeing the movie this weekend, though, was dropping my son and his date off to go see it. For some reason they didn't want me tagging along. :(

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    1. Oh no, so close! See it as soon as you can. You will love it. I haven't been so excited about a Bond flick in a long time and it lives up to the hype. :)

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  5. Ohhhh... I SO want to see this!!! Craig is SO swoon worthy... I'll go to the film and just stare at the screen with a goofy grin on my face...

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    1. He is swoon worthy, isn't he? And let me tell you, when he puts on these tight jeans in Scotland...Yummo. LOL

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  6. pfft... it ain't Bond if it's Blond.... IMHO.... not that blonds aren't my top type actually :PPP

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    1. There's nothing wrong with blondes, my friend. I'm a certified blonde by birth if not by au natural methods any more. LOL

      I do love Sean's dark good looks, though.

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    2. I'm also a natural blonde, Melsy :)

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  7. "Far exceeded my wildest imaginings for Bond." That says a lot since there are some spectacular Bond movies. Glad to know they lioved up to the 50th anniversary

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    1. They certainly lived up to all the hype which was refreshing as very few films do. What a 50th anniversary tribute! And I agree, there are some really spectacular Bond films.

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  8. I'm with Dez on this. I just can't buy Craig as Bond. And it's the blonde hair. Roger Moore was a problem for me as well. Bond just has to have dark hair.

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    1. or no hair, like us real spies (and I mean moi and Jason Statham) :)

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    2. My friend doesn't go for Daniel's blond looks, either. I had trouble at first, too, but because of his character in Road to Perdition. what cowardly schmuck he was in that one.

      And Dezz, you certainly are the best spy of all. ;)

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  9. I'm going to have to see this movie. I always liked Bond.

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    1. Mary, you definitely have to see this. I know you will love it!

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  10. Well, I disagree about Berenice Marlohe, as I thought she was quite alluring, but other than that your review is absolutely SPOT-ON and wonderfully-written as usual!

    I still think CR is tiny bit better, but Skyfall is close behind it.

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    1. Variety is the spice, hon.:) I'm so happy you loved my review,though. Thanks you! Skyfall was definitely a thriller and I had fun writing this.

      CR is a GREAT flick, I was torn, but the romance slid CR into second place. I didn't buy it.

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  11. You would be the one to notice that! Even my mom didn't mention the music - which Turkish band/singer did they have?

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    1. The music was so gorgeous in those minutes it stood right out to me. I looked up the soundtrack and it simply says Grand Bazaar, Istanbul with a list of studio musicians. I've heard the piece before when I was at the Turkish festival here in Chicago. I'll have to do som further research.

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  12. Fantastic review Melissa! I had a strong suspicion this one was going to work for you - and it obviously did! Hey - if we do the Imaginarium / LGOOH / Horror Movie Diary Film Festival - let's plug this in so Harry has to see it!

    I think we'll be hashing this one around a bit more - so glad you got to see it!

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    1. Why thank you! That means a lot coming from my fave Bond afficionado. This was such a great film, wasn't it? I look forward to more discussion with you. We will definitely make sure Harry watches this. Here's to a triple threat film festival in the near future.

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  13. Great review! Of course, I loved this one just as hard as you did. Spot on with everything! I love the "Just like Hansel and the gingerbread house" line. SO TRUE. Bond needs a little sugar to show him the way. And completely agree with you about M.--this is, without a doubt--her movie. She's the ultimate Bond girl and BAMF!

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    1. Thank you, my Bond woman. ;) I thought of that Hansel line asI wastrying to describe just how Bond always gets to the villain. It is usually the woman who brings him there and what is more symbolic about the trouble with candy than the gingerbread house. LOL

      M kicks ass and I can't wait to read your post on M being the BAMF.

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  14. Gave you a shout-out at my blog, because I love ya!

    xoRobyn

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    1. Aww... Thanks, Robyn! I love ya, too. ;)I have to go check it out.

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  15. I guess I will say that I thought the movie was OK, but I missed the gadjets and I did not see any Bond woman. I do not count the fellow agent. I loved this bad guy but found some of the scenes over the top unbeleivable...lol, of course that is a typical bond movie. Sorry but I never thought much for Daniel Craig as a Bond...Don't shoot, he is just to blond for my taste. I am waiting for them to caste Jon Hamm from Mad Men. The best part of the movie WAS the car :)

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    1. Hamm would make a delicious Bond. ;)You'reright, the gadgets were not in plentiful evidence this time, but I was glad they kept the babes to a minimum. It is a tired stereotypical role I wish women would as a whole refuse to play unless they make the character of equal or more intelligence than Bond.

      You're right, it is always over the top with 007. And there were some LOL moments here as with all the Bonds.

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  16. Thank you Melissa...I can't wait! I love BOND~ Bond and I go way back...my Dad took me to the theater and I was yeah, eleven when I saw my first Bond flick! Yes, I too want an Aston Martin! Love this review, thank you for making me want to run to the theater! I wasn't sure when they picked Daniel Craig. I like the tall, dark n' handsome persona, but he brings it ;D

    And so do you! I love this post!

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    1. I'm so happy you enjoyed the review, Ella. it is a great film and I am ready to strap in for another ride. :)High fives on the Aston Martin, I wanted one in the worst way. The ejector seat was my fave part.

      You bring it, too, my friend. Which is why your blog is one of my favorite places. :)

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  17. I still have yet to see it. And I will for sure now thanks to your review. I saw a snippet of the interrogation, and there's so many layers of psychological manipulation in that scene.

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    1. It makes me very happy to know you enjoyed my review so much that youare putting Skyfall on yourlist to see. That interrogation scene was one of the best I've seen on film in a very long time. I love the way the two of them played off of each other. Spectacular!

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