Now, if this was an independent film, without any BOND history, it would have been a VERY GOOD film. But as a BOND film, personally, it felt like I was watching a dressing down! You can bring Batman down to reality and humanise the hell out of him, but when it comes to BOND, there are somethings that should never change. But Sam Mendes attempts a Nolan and get's nowhere.
Since childhood I have associated Bond with hot girls, great style, great background music, some hard hitting but cheezy dialogues and out of this world cars / gadgets. And this BOND is nothing like it. Now, I have not read IAN FLEMING's novel, so I might be mistaken, but that is the perception built over the years in films. Even as early as Roger Moore or Sean Connery - they always had some amazing heroines and phenomenal cars/ gadgets.
SKYFALL has a very predictable storyline, there is absolutely nothing new about it, except the execution of the action scenes. Craig gives Bond a completely haggard look, instead of the usual suave one. He is like Bruce Willis in Die Hard 4. He doesn't like technology, wants to go back to the basics, doesn't flirt with too many females, doesn't throw cheezy dialogues and is kind of a bore. Infact, not only is he like Bruce Willis in Die Hard 4, the movie is like Die Hard 4! You'd know when you watch it.
Mendes also robs us off the opportunity to look at some sexy heroines - The movie is full of men and Judi Dench! Also, the story (like I said) is predictable and becomes monotonous after about half an hour. It's only after the interval *(forced one) that things get interesting. And that is because of the VILLAIN - Javier Bardem.
Javier takes the movie to another level. He is sensational in his brief, yet amazing portrayal of a psychotic/techno-genius/bisexual villain. Only, after he arrives, that you feel something is happening, and something's gonna happen. Ofcourse, what happens, is purely nonsensical - but that is what we expect from a BOND FILM. The problem is Mendes tries to intellectualize it. What he doesnt understand is, the DUMBER the better.
So, now that I have brought your expectations down from "GREATEST EVER" to "HO HUMM", let me say that you should watch it, but for the right reasons. Watch it because if it keeps going this way, Bond will be lost in a few years. Watch it for the phenomenal Bardem. Even while one JB -James Bond falls, other JB rises... Barden -- Javier Bardem...
But as far as nostalgia goes, forget it, it's gonna disappoint you. Coz quiet frankly, James is great, but alas - Bond is lost!
RATING : 6 /10 ( An additional 0.5 for ADELE's amazing theme song!)
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