Film Review: Skyfall

Skyfall is an excellent Bond film. The entertainment does not let up throughout its two and a half an hour duration.

Secret agent James Bond is on a mission to recover an encrypted key which contains highly classified information. He begins by chasing the assailant through the streets of Istanbul…

Sam Mendes has done a fantastic job directing the 23rd Bond movie. The narrative of Skyfall is somewhat formulaic in its events, but the modern context makes the film feel fresh. All Bond films will be compared with previous episodes, however Skyfall holds its own.

There are some fantastic set pieces in the film, but these are not the only hook. Skyfall carries on from Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace in establishing Bond conventions for the Daniel Craig revision of the series. References to earlier films are featured, in the same wry manner of other Bond films.

Skyfall feels like a more personal film in places, placing greater emphasis on the central character. Raoul Silva is an interesting antagonist. Numerous other Bond villains have been eccentric, but Silva is certainly memorable. Some of the expository dialogue appears too obvious. However this is a minor complaint, as the film is great overall.

As expected, the film features a host of exotic locations. Roger Deakins’ cinematography is on point in capturing both beautiful imagery and frenetic action. The theme song harks back to classic Bond, with a title sequence that matches. Mendes succeeds in building pace and tension to an exciting finale.

Daniel Craig is as convincing as ever on his third outing as James Bond. Javier Bardem is great as Silva, bringing an authentic creepiness to the character. Bond’s colleagues are more apparent in this adventure, with Naomie Harris adding some lightness as field agent Eve.

Skyfall is what a good Bond movie should be; exciting, with great action sequences and an interesting plot. Few will be disappointed with Sam Mendes’ film.

Trailer Round-Up

This week has seen the release of the first trailer for new Bond movie Skyfall and the teaser for Anchorman 2. Also featured are The Campaign, Killer Joe and Cosmopolis.

Skyfall

Well isn’t this exciting? Albeit with less of the unreserved glamour of the Roger Moore days, Bond is back in what’s looks to be another frenetic adventure. The tube train excerpt is sure to strike fear in the heart of any London commuter. Quantum of Solace was a bit disappointing, but hopefully director Sam Mendes will return Daniel Craig’s Bond to the form of Casino Royale. Skyfall is released on 26th October 2012.

Anchorman 2

A belated sequel to a much-loved film is always tricky. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy was a fantastic film, so the idea of a sequel is received with equal parts glee and skepticism. This teaser reveals nothing really about the film itself, but it is great to see Will Ferrell reunited with Paul Rudd, Steve Carrell and David Koechner. Hopefully that hot piece Baxter will also return for the sequel.

The Campaign

Before Anchorman 2 is released, here is another slice of Will Ferrell. The Campaign is a new comedy starring Ferrell, Zach Galifianakis and Jason Sudeikis. Ferrell’s line during the trash talking sequence alone makes me want to go and see this film. The Campaign is out on 28th September 2012.

Killer Joe

This looks like it will be a combination of tense and absurd. William Friedkin directs Killer Joe, based on a play by Tracy Letts. The film stars Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch and Juno Temple. Killer Joe is released in cinemas on 29th June 2012.

Cosmopolis

David Cronenberg’s last film, A Dangerous Method, was a letdown. From this brief teaser, Cosmopolis immediately looks inherently more Cronenberg, which is definitely a good thing. Starring Robert Pattinson, Paul Giamatti, Samantha Morton and Juliette Binoche, Cosmopolis is released on 15th June 2012.