SKYFALL, or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Fight Like a Rat in a Barrel

Magus · 11-11-2012, 02:09 AM

What the--did I just see a big blockbuster popcorn movie that still managed to deliver some of the most stylish cinematography I've seen in recent years? I DID! Did it also have a pretty great script? IT DID! Did Javier Bardem give one of the best performances since No Country For Old Men? HE DID! Did it renew my interest in the James Bond series after a lackluster outing in Quantum of Solace, while simultaneously paying homage to the old classics while breaking new ground? IT DID!

This movie is pretty great, everybody. I give it 6 Komodo dragons out of 7.

stefan · 11-11-2012, 02:15 AM

I keep wanting to contest the claim that Skyfall is the best Bond movieas of now, but I can't actually think of any particular one that was objectively better.

Magus · 11-11-2012, 02:18 AM

There are plenty that have more street cred. Goldfinger, Goldeneye, The Living Daylights, Live and Let Die (to name one from each of the other Bonds). But yeah I think we are safe in saying this is the best of the "new" ones, and certainly loads better than the three post-Goldeneye Brosnan ones.

I have read posts from a few people saying they liked Casino Royale better, but for a reason that is quite suspect: they don't like that this one has more cheesy moments and more gadgets/references to the old Bond films. They don't like that it moves away from the gritty realism of Casino Royale. The gritty realism of a movie whose plot revolves around Bond having to win a Texas Hold'em Poker tournament, I point out to these naysayers.

Professor Smarmiarty · 11-11-2012, 04:22 AM

Does anybody outrun a space laser? If not it is objectively worse than Die Another Day.

Geminex · 11-11-2012, 05:04 AM

You really liked it? I just saw it a couple of days ago and I just found it terrible.

The cinematography was really sweet, mind you, and I like how it tied the Craig movies to the series proper by killing off Q and introducing Moneypenny.

But the villain just seemed ridiculously unbelievable, even for Bond standards. Mostly it was the "everything you do plays right into my hands!!!!" thing. Though the fact that they decided he could do anything with just the ~~~click of a mouse~~~ was kinda ridiculous as well. I mean if he can do anything with his computers why does he ever even need to leave his home I mean really.

And the thing about an unbelievable villain is that they stop being threatening, to me. And when the movie is based around a struggle with a primary antagonist, neutering that antagonist kind of messes it up.

I really liked some bits, like the sequence in China and Macau, as well as the finale (which I'm gonna call "James Bond Home Alone"). But the start was weird and the entire sequence in London was just jarring.

Though I also saw it in German, and movies dubbed into german are like 50% less good than the originals, so maybe that's the reason.

Edit:
Just an aside I normally really like Bond movies, but the villains, while hardly credible, at least have clearly defined abilities. A giant space laser isn't believable, but at least you know what it is! it is a laser and it is giant and in space. That sort of clear definition was lacking here.

Professor Smarmiarty · 11-11-2012, 05:24 AM

What isn't believable about a space laser?

Geminex · 11-11-2012, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor Smarmiarty

What isn't believable about a space laser?

Space is just a myth perpetuated by astronomists. The earth has a ceiling about 2 km about sea level and everything else is just special effects

Anyone who says differently if a servant of the astronomists

Professor Smarmiarty · 11-11-2012, 05:41 AM

Yeah but you could mount a laser on the ceiling.

Geminex · 11-11-2012, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor Smarmiarty

Yeah but you could mount a laser on the ceiling.

Yeah but then it's not a SPACE laser. That just a SKY laser
Geez get with the program smarty.

A Zarkin' Frood · 11-11-2012, 05:47 AM

The only good bond movies were the ones with Mike Myers.

11-11-2012, 02:09 AM	#1
Magus Archer and Armstrong vs. the World Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 7,164	SKYFALL, or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Fight Like a Rat in a Barrel What the--did I just see a big blockbuster popcorn movie that still managed to deliver some of the most stylish cinematography I've seen in recent years? I DID! Did it also have a pretty great script? IT DID! Did Javier Bardem give one of the best performances since No Country For Old Men? HE DID! Did it renew my interest in the James Bond series after a lackluster outing in Quantum of Solace, while simultaneously paying homage to the old classics while breaking new ground? IT DID! This movie is pretty great, everybody. I give it 6 Komodo dragons out of 7.

11-11-2012, 05:04 AM	#5
Geminex SOM3WH3R3 Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4,606	You really liked it? I just saw it a couple of days ago and I just found it terrible. The cinematography was really sweet, mind you, and I like how it tied the Craig movies to the series proper by killing off Q and introducing Moneypenny. But the villain just seemed ridiculously unbelievable, even for Bond standards. Mostly it was the "everything you do plays right into my hands!!!!" thing. Though the fact that they decided he could do anything with just the ~~~click of a mouse~~~ was kinda ridiculous as well. I mean if he can do anything with his computers why does he ever even need to leave his home I mean really. And the thing about an unbelievable villain is that they stop being threatening, to me. And when the movie is based around a struggle with a primary antagonist, neutering that antagonist kind of messes it up. I really liked some bits, like the sequence in China and Macau, as well as the finale (which I'm gonna call "James Bond Home Alone"). But the start was weird and the entire sequence in London was just jarring. Though I also saw it in German, and movies dubbed into german are like 50% less good than the originals, so maybe that's the reason. Edit: Just an aside I normally really like Bond movies, but the villains, while hardly credible, at least have clearly defined abilities. A giant space laser isn't believable, but at least you know what it is! it is a laser and it is giant and in space. That sort of clear definition was lacking here. Last edited by Geminex; 11-11-2012 at 05:10 AM.

11-11-2012, 05:47 AM	#10
A Zarkin' Frood formerly known as Prince. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Right here, with you >:) Posts: 2,395	The only good bond movies were the ones with Mike Myers. __________________ >:( C-:

11-11-2012, 02:15 AM	#2
stefan Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 870	I keep wanting to contest the claim that Skyfall is the best Bond movieas of now, but I can't actually think of any particular one that was objectively better.

11-11-2012, 02:18 AM	#3
Magus Archer and Armstrong vs. the World Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 7,164	There are plenty that have more street cred. Goldfinger, Goldeneye, The Living Daylights, Live and Let Die (to name one from each of the other Bonds). But yeah I think we are safe in saying this is the best of the "new" ones, and certainly loads better than the three post-Goldeneye Brosnan ones. I have read posts from a few people saying they liked Casino Royale better, but for a reason that is quite suspect: they don't like that this one has more cheesy moments and more gadgets/references to the old Bond films. They don't like that it moves away from the gritty realism of Casino Royale. The gritty realism of a movie whose plot revolves around Bond having to win a Texas Hold'em Poker tournament, I point out to these naysayers.

11-11-2012, 04:22 AM	#4
Professor Smarmiarty Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: K-space Posts: 9,758	Does anybody outrun a space laser? If not it is objectively worse than Die Another Day.

11-11-2012, 05:24 AM	#6
Professor Smarmiarty Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: K-space Posts: 9,758	What isn't believable about a space laser?

11-11-2012, 05:41 AM	#8
Professor Smarmiarty Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: K-space Posts: 9,758	Yeah but you could mount a laser on the ceiling.