Skyfall (2012) Movie Review

by squidooprincess2012

Skyfall stars the hunky Daniel Craig. But did this movie deliver? Find out more by reading my Skyfall (2012) movie review.

In Skyfall, Daniel Craig reprises his role as sexy secret agent James Bond (007). But do you really need another James Bond movie? Probably.

As I recall, Daniel Craig was commissioned to play the role of James Bond during the early days of his career. Casino Royale, for instance, shows his arrogance and brashness, which led him to lose some important people in his life.

Now in Skyfall, audiences have a glimpse of James Bond’s inner struggles to find his true self.

I. Plot Overview

Skyfall starts with a fight and chase scene between 007 and a mercenary, Patrice. The latter is in possession of a computer chip / hard drive that contains a list of covert operatives. The scene takes place in practically all key places in Istanbul, and it commences when the two are on top of a moving train, where Bond was wounded by Patrice.

Eve, another operative tasked to assist Bond, is in position to shoot; and when the order is given, she did but doesn’t hit the target. Instead, she shoots Bond, and Bond falls into a river. He is presumed dead.

Meanwhile, back in MI6, M is pressured to step down by the head of the Intelligence and Security Committee, Gareth Mallory. But she doesn’t budge.

On her way back to headquarters, she receives a message through her laptop warning her (and mocking her) of an attack. The message is traced back to MI6 itself, and just a few blocks from her office, a part of M16 explodes killing a number of agents and employees.

Somewhere in the tropics, Bond learns of the attack / explosion. He returns to London, and surprises M at her apartment. Then the chase of the attacker begins.

BREAKING NEWS!!!

Skyfall won 2 Academy Awards on February 24th, 2013. Check out the awards below!

Best Original Song
Best Sound Editing

CONGRATULATIONS Skyfall!!!

Skyfall (Blu-ray/ DVD + Digital Copy)

View on Amazon

II. Skyfall (2012) Official Trailer

III. Main Cast and Roles

Daniel Craig - James Bond / 007
Judy Dench - M; head of MI6 who was being pressured to give up her post
Ralph Fiennes - Gareth Mallory; Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee who will later on take the role of M
Javier Bardem - Raoul Silva; former MI6 agent who went rogue
Naomie Harris - Eve Moneypenny; one of MI6’s field agents
Berenice Marlohe - Severine; the mistress of Raoul Silva
Albert Finney - gatekeeper of Skyfall, where James Bond grew
Ben Whishaw - Q; MI6’s highly skilled quartermaster

IV. What I Don’t Like About the Movie

I’ll give you three things that I don’t like about Skyfall: Daniel Craig, the story, and the lack of gadgets. In other words, Skyfall is not the James Bond movie that I want to see. I wanted action, but I saw emotions. I wanted state-of-the-art gadgets, but I got a shotgun. The soundtrack didn’t help either -- yes, even if they put Adele in it. [Listen to the soundtrack here.]

UPDATE: The Academy Awards don't agree with me on Adele's song. On February 24th, 2013, Adele's song won "Best Original Song."

Even up to this day, Sean Connery is still hot. But for me, there’s no one more suitable for the role of James Bond than Pierce Brosnan. He was born to play 007, and whoever replaces him has big shoes to fill. Maybe the producers know this well, so when they cast Daniel Craig, they had to focus everyone’s attention on the early stages of James Bond as a secret agent. In other words, it was more character-driven than plot-driven.

And if I may ask, where are the gadgets? No fancy cars, no powerful guns. Everything is old school.

V. What I Like About the Movie

Though I pointed out earlier that Skyfall is not a typical James Bond movie, the story actually absorbed me.

At the onset, I prepared for heavy action and amazing gadgets, but as the story went on, I had forgotten about my expectations. I was only reminded after the movie when a fellow goer said, “No gadgets?” Then I went, “Yeah! Where are the gadgets?”

So whatever goal the producers and makers of Skyfall aimed to achieve by “going back to basics,” somehow, the goal is achieved.

VI. My Recommendation

If you’re expecting for an action- and gadget-packed James Bond movie, Skyfall isn’t for you. But if you want to understand the character a bit more, Skyfall gives you a sneak peek into 007’s past.

So what’s my rating? Do I recommend Skyfall?

Hmmm... I say watch this movie only if you want to take a break from the usual James Bond flicks.