Family was in town for Thanksgiving, so we all went to see the new Bond film, Skyfall
Daniel Craig … James Bond
Judi Dench Judi Dench … M
Javier Bardem … Silva
Ralph Fiennes … Gareth Mallory
Naomie Harris … Eve
Bérénice Marlohe … Sévérine
Albert Finney … Kincade
Ben Whishaw … Q
Skyfall is a very good movie, though I’m not sure that it’s good Bond per se.
It does not feel like a Bond movie. It feels more like a police procedural, with a bit of John Le Carre and the Bourne movies.
It’s very well done though, and much more character driven than any other Bond movie that I’ve seen. We do get a much more complete picture of James Bond, who he is, and why he is who he is than we have ever gotten before.
My initial impressions:
- Daniel Craig is magnetic.
- Javier Bardem was wonderful to watch, but I wasn’t impressed by the character. As a Bond villain, he was a bit “meh”, and the attempt to graft in some sexual kinks seemed forced.
- Albert Finney had a relatively small role, but it was important all the same, it provides a lot of the insight into Bond’s character, and he’s just plain fun to watch. (He is also clearly enjoying himself while on camera)
- Ben Whishaw was good as a very geeky “Q”.
- Ralph Finnes was a complex and watchable character.
- Judy Dench was kind of playing Judy Dench more than she was playing “M”.
Recommended. I’d call it 8 out of 10.
No other blogging today.