Synopsis: During a field operation in Turkey, James Bond (Daniel Craig) is accidentally shot down by field agent Eve (Naomie Harris) while he is struggling against a French mercenary, Patrice (Ola Rapace). Bond plummets into to the depths of a ravine and is presumed killed. A cyber-terrorist attack on MI6 puts M (Judi Dench), the head of MI6 and Bond's commanding officer under the political pressure by Gareth Mallory (Ralph Fiennes), the Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee. Upon hearing about the attack on MI6, Bond returns to aid M. He tracks down Patrice in Shanghai and comes across Sévérine (Bérénice Marlohe) who eventually leads him to the villainous mastermind, Silva (Javier Bardem), who is seeking revenge against those he holds responsible for betraying him.
Note: NO spoilers below, only my appreciation about how awesome Skyfall is.
I did a little homework and research about the history of "Bondage" so that I could understand how did the James Bond series evolve throughout a span of 50 years.
- Sean Connery (1962-1967, 1971), Scottish actor - 6 movies
- George Lazenby (1969), Australian actor - 1 movie
- Roger Moore (1973-1985), Welsh actor - 7 movies
- Timothy Dalton (1987-1989), British actor - 2 movies
- Pierce Brosnan (1995-2002), Irish actor - 4 movies
- Daniel Craig (2006-2012), British actor - 3 movies
With the exception of Lazenby who was only 30 years old when he shot his one and only James Bond movie, the rest of the actors played James Bond when they were in their mid-30s up to late 40s. Wait... Roger Moore played his last Bond role when he was 57.
To date, Sir Sean Connery is still the most chivalrous Bond ever. He defines who James Bond is, but I was too young to remember him in action. To be honest, I only remember Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. The handsome and debonair Brosnan has a certain kind of charisma, manner, and charm that seals him as an iconic Bond.
When Daniel Craig was chosen as Bond in 2006 for Casino Royale, four years after Pierce Brosnan's final Bond movie in 2002, Bond fans went berserk. Craig, unlike previous actors, was not considered to fit the tall, dark, handsome, and charismatic image of Bond to which we had been accustomed. To be honest, I haven't watched Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2008), mainly because I was also among those who disapproved Craig as Bond. But Skyfall changed it all.
Now that I have done my homework, I understand why Daniel Craig was chosen. The new Bond movies, starting with Casino Royale was to be a reboot of the series, establishing a new timeline and narrative framework not meant to precede any previous movies, thus freeing the Bond series from more than forty years of continuity and allowing the new movie to show a less experienced and more vulnerable Bond. [via]
Daniel Craig makes a superb Bond: leaner, more taciturn, less sex-obsessed, able to be hurt in body and soul, not giving a damn if his martini is shaken or stirred. [via]
Yes, he is indeed a superb Bond! He is amazing in Skyfall, without indications of being overshadowed by either Sean Connery or Pierce Brosnan. Daniel Craig is THE Bond.
I love this comment by Ivan-Zadeh, "Craig's brilliance is that, just by looking at him, we see the deep scars of hurt beneath his icy blue eyes, even before a slightly weird finale takes Bond into uncharted childhood 'back-story' territory and it all goes a bit Nolan-era Batman." Wow.
Here's one the best summaries by the reviewer for Irish Independent: Skyfall may be "the best Bond in many a moon, and maybe even the best of them all." With a script that "balances humor and suspense skilfully" and a leading actor in Craig who "seems more relaxed and at ease in the role", the conclusion was that "Skyfall is a hugely enjoyable roller-coaster ride and easily the best action movie this year".
And, don't forget Javier Bardem as the villain Silva. He's the first Spanish actor to play the major lead villain in a James Bond movie. I don't think you can forget him, he's a f***** up villain with a freaky demeanor.
On a side note, I read that Daniel Craig will star in at least five James Bond movies, taking his tenure through the 25th entry in the series. [via]
P.S.: After his reign, I personally hope Henry Cavill (Man of Steel, 2013) will be considered as the next Bond.
Back to Skyfall.
My advice? DON'T MISS SKYFALL, even if you are not a Bond fan.
By the way, here's the official theme song by Adele. Haunting.
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