Chick 1 says:
Yay! It’s holiday movie season and we get to start with a treat for the boys AND the girls. Bond is back and he’s 50 years old. And he’s in top form, considering his age.
There’s plenty of action including a great pre-credits sequence. I didn’t find it quite as non-stop as Quantum of Solace but still good fun. It does get a little slow in the last half of the second act and I didn’t think the climax quite lived up to the hype. But it’s still a solid Bond.
The cast is in top form. Craig is his usual yummy stoic self, letting the cracks show as his character is pummeled both physically and emotionally. Judi Dench as M continues to be, for me, the highlight of the Bond franchise as the perfect combination of bitch and mother. Ben Whishaw is a fantastic addition as the new and improved Q (and one of the few developments in this film that makes me excited about where the series is heading). But Javier Bardem completely steals the show as the film’s villain, managing to be creepy, funny, and terrifying, usually all at the same time.
The cinematography is also a highlight. That may not be the reason most people go to see a James Bond movie but make no mistake that the way this movie is lit and shot plays a huge role in its success. One of the themes is “in the shadows” and Roger Deakins takes that theme and runs with it. There’s a gorgeous fight in a room of glass walls lit only by a huge LED display and the climax is filmed in the glow of a massive fire; beautiful.
Overall, Skyfall is a good, but not great, James Bond movie.
Now I’d like to discuss some things that are very spoilery. I’m serious. I’m going to discuss spoilers for three major characters. Here there be spoilers. SPOILY, SPOILY, SPOILERIFFIC SPOIL SPOIL!
Still here? OK, highlight the section below to read.
Let’s discuss the treatment of women here. Now Bond’s never been a champion of the feminist movement but they have made some attempts to creep toward the 21st century, starting with the addition of Judi Dench as M. But as far as this movie is concerned, they’ve got three strikes against them. Actually four now that I think about it.
Starting with Berenice Merlohe as Severine, who is very much a traditional Bond girl. With her first appearance she has so much intrigue and potential. She seems to be a power player. But Bond soon unmasks her to reveal she’s little more than a sex slave who’s worked her way up the corporate ladder. Her one attempt at taking charge of her fate ends tragically and she is relegated to the ranks of Bond girls who are as disposable as tissue. Taking her whole contribution to the movie, she is little more than someone to sleep with Bond and then die.
Next up is Eve. She starts out as a field agent and in the opening sequence, she seems a bit green. I will allow them that they seem to be establishing that this is her first mission. But I was disappointed when she decides that “the field isn’t for everyone” and takes a desk job. Then it’s revealed that she is Moneypenny. I’m hoping that by starting her out as a field agent they are trying to elevate her character above Bond groupie. I also take comfort that her on very first assignment she shot Bond! On orders no less. Girl’s got ovaries!
Finally is the demise of M. As the movie went on I felt this would be the outcome and I have to admit it as far as story it makes sense. But given my above sentiments, I’m really bummed that the franchise is losing its one strong female character. She was every bit Bond’s equal and often superior. I loved the undercurrent of mother/son she brought to the Bond world, giving an extra dimension to the females of this universe. She survived and thrived in both the intelligence community and the political world. She went out strong but they will be hard pressed to replace her. And I was unimpressed with Ralph Fiennes.
So here we are; back to a male protagonist with a male boss and the female has been put in the position of assistant/secretary. I’ll be very interested in who the female characters are in the next installment.
I know that James Bond is total male wish fulfillment and I’m fine with that. But the girls want to play too. And when we do, we’re kicking some ass.
Nicely put, Thanks.
all new female casino clothes in gta online casinos gambling online borgata online casino pa customer service number
Nicely put, Appreciate it.
online indian casino live casino online mini casino online
Wow all kinds of very good info.
lady luck online casino no deposit bonus codes 2022 online casino sign up bonus casino games free online roulette
Amazing information. Many thanks!
instadebit online casino new online casinos usa real money lucky nugget online casino review
Many thanks, I appreciate this.
superseven online casino best usa online casinos black diamond casino online
Superb information. Cheers!
online casino free 100 sign up bonus best online casino usa vegas casino online legit
You actually explained that perfectly!
golden dragon online casino login american casino online bloquear casinos online
Beneficial postings. Thanks a lot.
online casino payout percentages best online us casinos jackpot city com online casino
Awesome content. Kudos!
online casino script full source code casino free online online casino south africa no deposit
Superb write ups. Many thanks!
australian online casino apps casino online play free casino liechtenstein online
Regards, Ample data!
online sports and casino casino game online ancient riches casino online
Whoa quite a lot of excellent info!
online vegas casinos best online casino games best online casino sites philippines
Information clearly used!!
qatar online casino no deposit online casino free spins code online casino
Seriously loads of useful tips.
most popular online casino slots online casino game pointsbet online casino pa
Really plenty of wonderful tips!
best australian online waterwheel casinos best paying online casino online video slots casino
Thanks, Plenty of write ups.
gamomat online casinos online casino free bonus no deposit fun game online casino
Fine information. Kudos!
online casinos for us players with no deposit bonuses free casino online slots best casino online 2023
You reported this effectively!
rival casinos online las vegas online casino free slots online casino tests
Thanks, Ample tips.
guatemalan online casino no deposit bonus casino canada betmgm online casino new jersey
Whoa a good deal of superb tips!
no deposit bonus online casinos usa best casinos online online casino that use skrill
Very well expressed indeed! .
james bond 007 casino royale watch online online canadian casino poker online casino
Regards, An abundance of tips.
grand 21 casino online free casino slots online online casino instant bitcoin withdrawal
Seriously a good deal of amazing info!
best 5 dollar match bonus online casino online casino games free casino gta online location
Seriously lots of helpful knowledge!
florida online casino apps best casino slot online all australian casino play online
Info nicely used!!
casino not available gta online online casinos real money gta online casino heist poi
Information clearly regarded..
bank ofamerica debit card nj online casino slot machine casino online best curacao online casinos
This is nicely expressed. .
mega online casino online casino slots for real money carnival city online casino no deposit bonus
Effectively voiced genuinely. !
resorts casino online review best online casinos in canada online casinos that are legit
Superb information. Many thanks!
casilando online casino slots online casino best nj casino online
Nicely put, Kudos.
australian online casino k9win online casino real cash online casinos legit
Reliable tips. Regards.
online casino с минимальным депозитом casino online slots online casino legal in germany
Helpful postings. Thanks a lot.
meridian casino online las vegas online casino real money Г¶sterreichisches online casino
You actually stated this exceptionally well.
apollo rising kostenlos spielen online casinos best online casino slots online casino high roller
Thanks. Ample tips!
gta online diamond casino heist best approach best real money online casinos free coupon codes for online casinos
Whoa all kinds of fantastic information!
online casino bank id best real money online casino us online casinos free bonus
Beneficial material. Thanks!
latisse online pharmacy https://northwestpharmacylabs.com/ jobs at cvs pharmacy store
You actually reported this superbly!