Over the weekend, I spent my own coin of the realm to catch the latest James Bond flick.
Normally, I slip into a sneak preview of a movie courtesy of the producers, or screen a spanking new project part-in-parcel at a high-profile premiere on the red carpet.
On this occasion, I elected to slip into the theatre unnoticed to gauge audience reaction right up-close-and-personal with a posse of non-industry types.
So, there I was descending on the AMC theatre bright-and-early Saturdy morning at 9:15 to queue up with other excited filmgoers to take in the last installment of the Ian Fleming spy franchise.
And, paying through the nose for the experience, you betcha.
No matinee discounts on this sucker!
I was first introduced to James Bond by my older brother “Bill” when I was a young lad.
I was immediately hooked when the seductive images flooded across the wide screen in front of me, if I recall correctly.
As to SKYFALL, well, the feature shifts into gear from the get-go (swiftly and dramatically) so be sure to plunk down in your seat before the lights snuff out so you don’t miss any of the opening scenes which quickly introduce the yummy plot line.
The slick high-budget feature revs up the audience right off-the-bat.
Although SKYFALL is fast-paced with a lot of wild chases, super stunts, and heart-pounding adrenalin rushes, for the most part, the action is all run-of-the-mill.
The scenarios here are short of spectacular, in fact, and are a let-down to fans who have come to expect so much more over the years of a Broccoli film production.
Even the theme song – when it finally floats off the screen (sung by chart-topper Adele) - is a tad disappointing.
The tune lacks punch – and eloquence – I dare say.
Frankly, it can’t hold a candle to Shirley Bassey's brassy (chilling rendition of) Goldfinger, for example.
It’s doubtful any moviegoer will be strolling out the theatre humming the song – which is a sign of a dismal failure – by Hollywood film standards.
In spite of these niggling shortcomings, Bond fans get a lot of bang for their buck.
The plot – which revolves around a stolen hard drive – twists-and-turns unexpectedly and keeps the audience guessing on the edge of their seats throughout.
An unseen enemy appears to be bent on wiping out England’s top espionage agents who – until now – have savored safe-hiding in terrorist trouble spots around the globe.
Daniel Craig is in top form as an aging Bond struggling – physically, emotionally, and mentally – to keep up in a complex realm of spy intrigues enhanced and complicated by the lightning speed of the digitalized computer age.
Once again, Craig is a sexy, dynamic, and larger-than-life James Bond with the ability to captivate an audience in a nuanced performance that is sure to strike pay dirt at the box office in the next few weeks both here and abroad.
In this segment, when the writers take a poignant foray into Bond’s lonely childhood – and explore a host of painful memories that still haunt – they manage to flesh out aspects of the character Ian Fleming probably never imagined possible.
Consequently, the “man’s” purpose, and "drive", and “love of country” are spelled out.
True to form, the producers have also introduced a diabolical character to rival all others that ever crawled out from under a slimy rock in a prior Bond flick.
Javier Bandem turns in a bravado performance that is worth the price of admission itself! At one point when his character makes subtle sexual advances towards Bond, the audience responds with nervous jitters. Are Bond fans just too homophobic to endure homoerotic dalliances in the new millennium?
By the way, Judi Dench’s character (M) plays a more hands-on role here, and pays dearly for it.
Of course, there is bound to be a sensual Bond girl to turn the British Agent’s head, once again.
Berenice Marlohe almost fits the bill, but she can't hold a candle to sex Goddesses like Ursula Andress who have taken on the task in the past, that's for sure. At times, her acting is too forced and awkward-looking. Poor casting, in my estimation.
A Bond thriller wouldn’t be worth its weight in gold if it didn’t put a big bold spotlight on at least one of the most exotic locales on the globe as it has done continually in the past time-and-time again; for example, Bond has walked a tight-rope and slippery intrigues in Sardinia (The Spy Who Love Me), Hong Kong (The Man with the Golden Gun), Montenegro (Casino Royale), and Havana (Die Another Day).
In SKYFALL the hypnotizing nightlife of Shanghai exalts the senses to the max!
Style is also a large part of the Bond mystique.
Fashion Designer Jany Temime (Harry Potter) whipped up a couple of sharp-looking suits - in steel grey and vivid blue palettes - which fit too snugly (for my taste). An exquisite black top coat hit the mark, though.
The producers have updated the Bond tale to keep up with the times by introducing a smattering of state-of-the-art gizmos that delight the audience, too.
With tongue-in-cheek, the writers have also taken a poke at Bond, if only to remind us that it is only a film - a damn entertaining one - mind you.
When SKYFALL finally comes full circle at the end - and Bond strolls into M's office after a chit-chat with Ms. Moneypenny - it's obvious that there is a sequel in the works.
Can't wait, can you?
0 comments:
Post a Comment