Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

A place for discussion of all Bond 23/Skyfall related news and rumors
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Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by Goldeneye »

Wait before some of you call the men in white coats let me explain two things. Back in the early days we had a joke thread with the Sweeney about him hosting a rockin Die Another Day garden party, he hates Die Another Day with a passion. (This is where the name comes from.)

Bond forums tend to be sprawling places, Bond can cover so many topics it is hard to keep them organized. Sweeney is a Craig fan and a friend, he is excited about the new movie eagerly awaiting the reviews. By posting the links to reviews here Sweeney is doing us a favor, me and the other moderators don't have the time to run down all the news links and other stuff . I'm just organizing the links here so they are findable for those who wish to read them.

At this point the reviews don't have to be positive or negative, this is just a gathering point.

(When Skyfall opens in the UK we will have discussion thread with spoilers allowed as we did for The Dark Knight Rises. )
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by Goldeneye »

Napoleon Solo and Kris get us started.

Kristatos wrote:Den of Geek liked it too.
James wrote:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2012/oct ... sfeed=true

There was a (I think) Telegraph review where they said it didn't feel much like a Bond film but gave it 4 out of 5 anyway. A lot of the reviews seem to suggest they've been more inspired by Nolan and the Dark Knight trilogy than Jason Bourne this time.
The Sweeney wrote:Total Film gave it 5 stars (they gave QoS 3) - http://www.totalfilm.com/reviews/cinema/skyfall

It all adds up to the 007 adventure we’ve been waiting for: a flawlessly assembled thrill ride with a cast to die for and a nakedly emotional undertow. Happy birthday, Mr Bond.
[quote="The Sweeney"
Out of all the reviews released today, The Guardian is the only one with any hints of negativity, but they still find praise in the film, and still give it 3 stars - hardly a damning, slating review.

Another positive one just emerged - http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/ ... t-20121012

And another - http://www.filmoria.co.uk/2012/10/film-review-skyfall/

Another 5 star review - http://www.flickeringmyth.com/2012/10/m ... -2012.html

And another - http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/ ... nd-trailer

And there's more - http://www.unleashthefanboy.com/movies/ ... view/30408

Another 5 star, not sure if it already been posted - http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie- ... 51356.html

Even Chris Tookey loves it - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... ds-newsxml

Best Bond ever - http://www.sabotagetimes.com/tv-film/sk ... ever-been/

Skyfall is the smartest Bond film for many years - http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/39389 ... bardem.htm[/quote]
The Sweeney wrote:Another positive one - http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/entertainm ... all-review
The Sweeney wrote: I think a few negatives ones are bound to crop up soon enough. It's currently showing as 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, but I expect that will change in the next few weeks.

This one from Daily Mail suprised me a bit though, as I don't often remember them going overboard about a Craig Bond like this before -

Yes, it's the best Bond film ever! - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... -ever.html
The Sweeney wrote:More coming in - http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the- ... tentID=592
Another positive review - http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-10- ... james-bond
And another - http://moviecitynews.com/2012/10/review ... iler-free/
One more - http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Skyfall- ... 33554.html
Daily Star on Sunday gave it 5 stars - http://www.dailystar.co.uk/film/view/27 ... d-trailer/

This is getting a liitle freaky now. Not one negative review....... :shock:
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by The Sweeney »

Phew!!! I've been busy the past 2 days........ :typing:
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by The Saint 007 »

The Sweeney wrote:Phew!!! I've been busy the past 2 days........ :typing:
I'll say! Your computer must be ready to explode. I don't now how you do it. I can only look at the computer screen for so long before I start getting a headache.
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by The Sweeney »

The Saint 007 wrote:
The Sweeney wrote:Phew!!! I've been busy the past 2 days........ :typing:
I'll say! Your computer must be ready to explode. I don't now how you do it. I can only look at the computer screen for so long before I start getting a headache.
I know....I think I do need to lie down now with an asprin. I'm all Skyfalled out!! :skull:
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by Napoleon Solo »

The Sweeney wrote:
The Saint 007 wrote:
The Sweeney wrote:Phew!!! I've been busy the past 2 days........ :typing:
I'll say! Your computer must be ready to explode. I don't now how you do it. I can only look at the computer screen for so long before I start getting a headache.
I know....I think I do need to lie down now with an asprin. I'm all Skyfalled out!! :skull:
Again, appreciation for Sweeney for tracking so many of the reviews. :cheers:

I'm Skyfalled out, as well, mostly from following the film through pre-production and filming. If I had to do it over again, I'd have tuned out.
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by Mazer Rackham »

It's going to get more interesting as the review bans are lifted. It's hard to talk about something with one arm tied behind your back.

But early buzz is normally euphoric and positive, DAD, CR, QOS, now SF all had great press leading up to the release. Not saying it can't be an indicator however it's not as unusual as it seems.
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by bjmdds »

Bans? What bans Q?
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by Napoleon Solo »

bjmdds wrote:Bans? What bans Q?
Some of the reviews reference requests by Eon not to reference spoilers.
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by Mazer Rackham »

Napoleon Solo wrote:
bjmdds wrote:Bans? What bans Q?
Some of the reviews reference requests by Eon not to reference spoilers.
Precisely, its also a ban/agreement on early release of most reviews.
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by Goldeneye »

Daily round up the Sweeney was back for more, BJ found a new hope, and Napoleon Solo found the fabled golden ticket! :007: :cheers:

The Sweeney wrote:More reviews in. No need to tell you that they are all positive - :wink:

http://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero ... lm-skyfall
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/reviewsnews.php?id=95905
http://www.007magazine.co.uk/bond23/skyfall_review.htm
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/201 ... all-review

From James Bond 007 Magazine....to me this is very encouraging -

It's my contention that the tone of a Bond film is the hardest thing to get right - too flippant (à la Moonraker) and you lose all sense of reality; too serious (à la Quantum of Solace) and the glamour evaporates, leaving you with nothing more than a hollow series of action sequences; equally fatally, if you attempt but fail to balance humour and seriousness, you risk a fiasco like the irredeemably awful Die Another Day. It's therefore to Mendes' credit that he gets the tone and tenor of Skyfall spot on; this is a Bond film which provides some outrageous spectacle, as well as incorporating some bizarre almost surreal touches which would be at home in a Fleming novel, as well as some killer one-liners reminiscent of the Connery era at its best. However, this is also a film which maintains an admirable seriousness of intent, most notably in its determination for its characters to have three dimensions, rather than act as bland ciphers or clothes horses. Skyfall never becomes too light-hearted but, equally, the joyless earnestness that plagued Quantum of Solace has been banished. It might sound like a contradiction in terms, but perhaps the best way I can characterise Skyfall is to call it a 'serious romp'!
bjmdds wrote:http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/352 ... fall-12A-/ This is the ONLY review you need to read.......forget the other BS above.......it's Hollywood's elite telling us what THEY FEEL a Bond film with Mendes should be..........it's NOT what the public desires.................after the stuntmen opening chase scenes, it's all downhill........Sweeney, we will see who is right with the USA public..........you overseas guys are on your own for your tastes in beauty puzzle me with DC's mug acceptable to you. A homosexual, sadistic villain with Mommy issues with M in a Bond film? Bring back Jaws for goodness sakes :!:
'
Napoleon Solo wrote:This appears to be the only negative review on Rotten Tomatoes (Skyfall score is still 98 percent):

http://www.littlewhitelies.co.uk/theatr ... fall-22187
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by The Sweeney »

Napoleon Solo wrote:
bjmdds wrote:Bans? What bans Q?
Some of the reviews reference requests by Eon not to reference spoilers.
Which woud explain BJ why many of the positive reviews don't go into any detail regarding the film itself (something you have criticised them for).

And may also explain why the negative ones discard this rule - reviewers trying to make a name for themselves, with their own personal agenda to grab a headline, regardless of what they were supposed to honour before going to see the film.

As Blofeld said earlier, reviewers can't win these days. Positive ones have all been bunged a £50 in their top pocket by Babs, and all negative ones are headline grabbers looking to make a name for themselves...... :lol:
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by Goldeneye »

Parlez-vous francais? Well Sweeney does, he found a few french reviews in his never ending search for the truth. :wink:
The Sweeney wrote:More reviews in, if you can speak French -

ECRANLARGE give 4/5
http://www.ecranlarge.com/movie_review- ... 167871.php

4.5/5 given by lexpress
http://www.lexpress.fr/culture/cinema/s ... 74779.html

video of critics opinions after showing (in French)...very positive.
1 critic does mention that it would have been the complete classic if the gunbarrel was at the start but still says it is -
"the best James Bond film!"

The Sweeney wrote:
Mazer Rackham wrote:Must be desperate mate, going to the frogs like that :twisted:
:lol:

Ok, some more English ones -

In Skyfall, Mendes has found a balance between action and drama, light and dark, and old and new Bond that no director has managed to pull off in decades. Daniel Craig’s finest outing so far, and quite possibly the best Bond of them all. Happy 50th, James. You don’t look it!
http://celluloidheroesradio.com/2012/10/review-skyfall/

http://www.itv.com/news/2012-10-17/jame ... her-oscar/

http://whatculture.com/film/skyfall-rev ... d-film.php
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by carl stromberg »

Some of these reviews are interesting. The Shrophire Star one for example:

http://www.shropshirestar.com/entertain ... lm-review/
It’s been well over a decade since the world was treated to a truly sumptuous adventure in the very best, vintage 007 traditions.

Yes, Daniel Craig’s debut as Ian Fleming’s not-so-secret agent, Casino Royale, was a mighty fine movie which ruthlessly rebooted the series in 2006. But in the eyes of many fans, the moody action thriller was more Jason Bourne than James Bond.

Craig’s hugely disappointing follow-up, Quantum Of Solace, was then a perplexing, frenetically edited mess; an assault on the senses which barely paused for a single entendre, let alone a double.


So it’s definitely a case of third time lucky – because Skyfall, which opens at Shropshire cinemas on October 26, is a triumph on almost every level.

In Javier Bardem, it has one of the best baddies since the days when Sean Connery was abseiling into hollowed-out volcanoes to lock horns with bald men and white cats.
Still licensed to thrill – that’s 007Still licensed to thrill – that’s 007

He delivers a part chilling, part comedic cross between Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter and Jack Nicholson’s Joker which is ever-so-slightly camp and theatrical, and all the more memorable for it.

In Sam Mendes, it has a director who clearly ‘gets’ why Bond has been so successful for the past five decades, paying due reverence to the past with some touching tributes, while offering plenty of provocative new ideas and – contrary to many people’s fears – handling the action scenes well.

And in Daniel Craig, it has a Bond for the 21st century who, slowly but surely, is injecting more of the classic 007 traits into his granite tough persona. He looks, for the first time, like he truly believes he owns the role.

Even Q’s back on the scene, albeit in the shape of nerdy, scene-stealing computer hacker Ben Whishaw, who bears little resemblance to the late, great bumbling Desmond Llewelyn.

This Q is a computer genius who tells a sceptical 007 that he can wreak more havoc with his laptop, at home in his pyjamas, than any double-0 agent can ever hope to achieve out in the field.

His first meeting with Bond is one of the highlights of the movie.

The screenwriters have jettisoned the evil Quantum organisation from Craig’s first two movies to create a stand-alone spy adventure which prods at Bond’s mental demons and family history.

Like all the best entries in the series, it opens with a rollicking pre-credits sequence as Bond pursues a stolen computer drive containing the identities of all the MI6 agents immersed behind enemy lines, by jeep, motorbike, and freight train.

M (Judi Dench for a seventh time) is in the doghouse with the Prime Minister, because she’s the one who lost it.

We get an early shape of things to come when Craig – impressively doing his own stunts – leaps from a runaway digger on to the moving train, pausing for just a split second after landing to adjust the cuffs on his smart Tom Ford suit.
The new face of gadget man Q – actor Ben WhishawThe new face of gadget man Q – actor Ben Whishaw

It’s the sort of quintessential Bond moment which has been sadly missing from his previous appearances. Bond’s pursuit of the stolen information takes him from Istanbul to Shanghai, Macau, and ultimately back to London where the MI6 headquarters is under threat from an unhinged madman with a personal grudge.

Action gives way to atmosphere as the movie nears its conclusion, and the minimalist, retro feel to the final half hour, which evokes the earliest 1960s Bond films, is likely to divide opinion.

The cinematography is breathtaking throughout, though, taking us on a multi-coloured travelogue and even managing to make the often grey London look mighty fine. And if there’s been a more spectacular explosion in the series than Skyfall’s climactic fireball, I can’t bring it to mind.

The support cast, including a wonderfully wily Albert Finney and Ralph Fiennes as a Government official with uncertain allegiances, has never been better.

And the Bond girls? Naomie Harris enjoys some deliciously flirtatious byplay with 007 when she joins him in the field to offer sassy support, and Berenice Marlohe smoulders in a brief but pivotal role as the pent-up oriental playgirl Severine.

But there’s only one Bond girl who really matters in Skyfall, and that’s Judi Dench.

The kernel of the whole story is the surrogate mother-son relationship between M and orphaned 007, and Craig and Dench translate their off-screen friendship into a powerful partnership.

And don’t rule out Bardem becoming the first Oscar-nominated 007 baddie. He really is that good as blonde-haired Silva, the man putting MI6 at risk with his genius computer hacking skills.

Bond devotees who arrive with their mental check-list will leave with almost all of their boxes ticked. Stylish delivery of the line ‘Bond, James Bond’ – check. Return of gadgetmaster Q – check. Vodka martini, shaken not stirred –check. Gadget-laden Aston Martin hitting the road – check.

The self-deprecating humour, the iconic and slightly pompous 007 traits, the womanising, the playful banter, the classic travelogue backdrops; it’s all there. So, too, is the much publicised product placement which sees 007 drinking Heineken. But it’s subtle, and works in the context of the story.

The four-year break between films appears to have benefited the Bond family, giving them chance to craft an intelligent, thought-provoking story which exposes some of the agent’s raw family secrets first written by Fleming in the 1950s.

Craig has never been better, throwing himself manfully into the stunt scenes, allowing cameras to get up close to the action with a brighter glint in his eye, and flashing plenty of toned flesh for his female admirers.

Let’s not forget, it took Sean Connery three films to truly settle into the tuxedo before unleashing the iconic Goldfinger in 1964, and Roger Moore’s third adventure, The Spy Who Loved Me, is also widely regarded as his finest.

Skyfall isn’t just the best of Daniel Craig’s Bond adventures, it comfortably gatecrashes the top half dozen films of the 50-year-old series.

And that’s no mean praise from a man who may not have signed up to the ‘Craig Not Bond’ web campaign when he was first chosen to replace Pierce Brosnan, but understood and sympathised with the views of those who did.
Bring back Bond!
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by Kristatos »

"Bumbling Desmond Llewellyn"? I think that's rather insulting. Major Boothroyd may have often been a comic foil to Bond, but he was always portrayed as being a very smart and competent quartermaster.
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by The Saint 007 »

Kristatos wrote:"Bumbling Desmond Llewellyn"? I think that's rather insulting. Major Boothroyd may have often been a comic foil to Bond, but he was always portrayed as being a very smart and competent quartermaster.
I guess being a little humorous is considered "bumbling" by some people who take James Bond way too seriously. Considering the fact that he made some of the coolest and most sophisticated gadgets, I would hardly call Desmond Llewellyn's Q bumbling.
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by Omega »

No he wasn't bumbling, people who casually watch the movies think he is comic relief just because they are not paying attention.
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by shaken not stirred »

A true bond fan would never call Sir Desmond Llewellyn's portrayal of q bumbling, I guess Christopher Lloyd's doc brown from back to the future was bumbling to if we go by that ignorant statement, q was eccentric and so am I so I can relate, call him bumbling's a big insult to a great deal of people, guess I must be a bumbling idiot as well going from this, bloody ignorant journalists.

So kids today's lesson is if you're intelligent, know how to make some great gadgets you are in fact a bumbling idiot..give Me strength, Rob (Derp) Schneider always plays a bumbling idiot not Desmond Llewllyn, jesus, it's like they're comparing him to mister bean ..My god :down: .
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by Napoleon Solo »

carl stromberg wrote:Some of these reviews are interesting. The Shrophire Star one for example:

http://www.shropshirestar.com/entertain ... lm-review/


The self-deprecating humour, the iconic and slightly pompous 007 traits, the womanising, the playful banter, the classic travelogue backdrops; it’s all there. So, too, is the much publicised product placement which sees 007 drinking Heineken. But it’s subtle, and works in the context of the story.
Let me guess: when Bond renounces being a 00-agent, he drinks Heineken (R). Heineken (R) thus becomes a key element of the Character Development (R). Later, when Bond knows he cannot escape his fate, he resumes drinking martinis.
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Re: Sweeney's Rockin Skyfall Review Thread

Post by bjmdds »

It's over Napolean. Forget trying to figure out this insanity. I hope Nayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyomi Harris's MP is an insatiable deviant with lot's of men and guns in her future. I hope the new Q is shown sucking on lollipops and drinking cocoa. The next film DC is in as Bond I hope he is shaved bald and is in bed with 3 men at once. The franchise is over. It's destroyed. There is no turning back now. DONE :!: George the animal Steele awaits. SIX years of this garbage with Eon and Sony is enough and DC has signed on for 2 more bringing us until 2018 for a possible new Bond :!: :idea: I think not wasting another 6 years on this franchise is smart. It's time for MI:5 news updates and Ant-Man and Avengers and The Man Of Steel discussions, right FBF?
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