SKYFALL

Take a dash of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE (1996) plot, a pinch of ‘generic betrayal’ and a generous portion of ‘revenge flick MSG’ and voila! SKYFALL stew! It’s baffling that three screenwriters, two producers and one director couldn’t construct a smarter story. Bond is supposed to be the Super Spy, the guy who saves the entire world from the mad plans of an evil villain, but now he’s simply become a savior of little old ladies. What’s next? Rescuer of kitty cats? The cast of actors is a showcase of Britain’s cream of the crop and each one provides capable performances. But it is the Spaniard (Not Maximus Decimus Meridius) Javier Bardem, who is most memorable. He’s a creepy delight to watch. And yes yes, Daniel Craig is the best Bond since sliced bread and Sean Connery, but if the poor bloke doesn’t have a sturdy story to stand on then its bullocks…innit? This film’s redeeming quality is its cinematography. It is without a doubt the best ‘looking’ Bond movie ever photographed. Roger Deakins is one of the finest Cinematographers in movie history and this is truly ‘his’ movie. Director Sam Mendes seemed like an ideal choice but after having seen it, I beg to differ. The opening action scene held my attention but the last action scene is lackluster, the drama is lukewarm and the tongue-in-cheek comedy is barely existent. Needless to say the last three Bond movies adopted a style of ‘realism’ that wasn’t customary in the Bond movies of the past but I for one miss the old formula. Bring back the fast cars, the cool gadgets, the pointless sex scenes and the megalomaniacal villains. Bring back fantasy and leave the realism to Jason Bourne, he does it so much better anyway.

Rating: 5/10

S. V. Fernando