Skyfall reviewed by Mark Kermode

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Mark Kermode reviews Skyfall. Daniel Craig is back as James Bond in this latest installment. Also starring Judi Dench, Ben Whishaw, Helen McCrory, Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem.

[@Burnhope93]

Question of Sport! Haha!

[@brendansmith3851]

Brilliant 🤣

[@max.m3707]

When Bardem’s character took of his filling and spoke to M his voice gave me chills, amazing villain and great movie, it was good to see where Bond grew up

[@TheGroucho66]

Literally just left a train from London Waterloo to Poole a few minutes ago in which I bumped into Kermode. Through my star struck babble, I managed to convey that I saw Skyfall earlier today. He stated it was great. *SPOILER ALERT* I asked if he thought it was odd how the desk bulldog was given to Bond from M despite the fact that they had known each other for years and the bulldog was only just introduced in this film. He laughed and agreed. I took a photo and he left. Top bloke.

[@shanenolan5625]

Well, it's a Churchill bulldog. . Also known as a kbo ( keep buggering on) bulldog. . Never quit. Essentially. It's a message to him . .

[@illznik2]

I don't think Bond's flippant comment is out of character; he acted the same way in Casino Royale after Vesper died. Even though it obviously affected him emotionally, he doesn't want to display those emotions for fear of showing weakness.

[@sniderguy]

Interesting that you saw the 3rd act as "James Bond meets Straw Dogs". I would have referred to it as "James Bond meets Home Alone".

[@OutOfAmmoOutOfTime]

sniderguy spot on

[@drbinderust]

Even better!

[@kennethmccrindle3790]

I really enjoyed Skyfall. It was masterfully directed, amazingly written and action packed 10/10

[@thejamesbondshowwithkrazyk4581]

Action packed!? One big action set piece at the start, two average fight scenes, then a home alone end scene and the most convenient set of plot contrivance ever out to film. Garden was brilliant though.

[@aryankaushik93]

@@thejamesbondshowwithkrazyk4581 all fight scenes were amazing bot average

[@thejamesbondshowwithkrazyk4581]

@@aryankaushik93 yeah, which fight scenes were brilliant? It's a boring film with very little action apart from the start, there's no big action scene between the start and the Home Alone ending. That's fact.

[@garybarlow7179]

@@thejamesbondshowwithkrazyk4581 there's quite a bit of action mate. The opening, the Shanghai fight, the casino fight, the chase in the underground, the court shootout and the climax.

[@madremorelos1573]

@@garybarlow7179 the casino fight is literally nothing. The only amazing sequence is the opening in Istanbul. Everything else is quite tedious, especially the underground bit. That bit feels like I’m just watching a Bourne film or something. They’ve proven that they can go above and beyond with action scenes in the parkour Casino Royale sequence, so hopefully the new younger bond will be able to do stunts like that

[@geoffpulham5032]

We always called it Quantum of Bollocks.

[@stenaldinho]

That's pure gold mate.

[@darmok072]

"Question of Sport" lol.

[@nukm4]

I think he misinterpreted the "Bond zinger" in the film, as he put it. I didn't see it as him laughing off someone's death as usual, I read it as Bond showing that he HAD been affected by her death, but that he, as Bond, can't show it, he has to appear completely detached and unshaken.

[@matthewritch4031]

Classic Bond film and one of the best of the franchise.

[@kennethmccrindle8886]

Cinematography: it's flawless, Deakins is a clear presence here, and Sam knows how to make action. Acting: Javier is a great bond villain and Daniel is once again brilliant. Judi and Ralph "don't call me Ralf" Fiennes are brilliant. Action: it's up there with Casino Royale, Goldeneye, Spy who loved me Living Daylights, Licence to Kill and On her Majesty's secret service. It's better than the quick cut action of Quantum of solace, which was truly atrocious. Overall: what a way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bond. 10/10

[@V.elociraptor]

God damn Skyfall is great.

[@maritsabarlow6300]

I don't agree with the zinger - Bond had to make the "scotch" comment so that Mr Silver wouldn't see how emotional he is about what just happened.

[@mrawesome669]

Favorite Bond film!

[@shaneebrogan]

looking forward to this now

[@dinodino6]

The irony is QoS's plot made perfect sense to me yet Skyfall's had plotholes+contrivances at every point of the film. It kind of makes sense that 99% of critics can't understand the v simple story of QoS and also can't see the plotholes, contrived plot devices, and stupid decisions in skyfall that occur every 10 mins. Fair enough if the typical audience member doesn't appreciate QoS, in that way QoS failed...but i hoped critics could tell me what QoS tried to do an how it fell short (if it did)

[@TheDecadentOne]

For all his dislike at QoS's plot not making sense, he seems to have completely ignored the fact that Skyfall's plot doesn't make sense. Characters consistently take actions that are contrary to their own stated goals, and M's death is directly as a result of Bond's own stupidity. The film expects us to just accept too many things - why is the list in an apartment in Turkey, for example? Seems like a really stupid place to keep such a thing.

[@stevengreen8399]

I have to agree... Quantum of Solace isn't much worse than "Skyfall" for me, at least in terms of how interested I was in the characters. Casino Royale Trumps them both by a mile.

[@RedlegsBluelegs]

He pretty clearly stated at the very beginning of the review that he enjoyed it.

[@damphotos]

I felt that the film lost me with the tube train through the ceiling, but I also felt that (but perhaps it was too obvious-a-twist?), that the twist should have been that Bardem's mother *is* M, and he's psychologically twisted by the fact that his mother is/was willing to sacrifice him for some kind of 'greater good'. Thoughts welcome!

[@IronInDaFace]

So pumped for this film!!!!!

[@HamerD]

It was still one of the top 3 Bond films, and Bardem's performance was probably the best ever given in a Bond. A performance for the ages in my opinion.

[@brendansmith3851]

Absolutely

[@kennethmccrindle3790]

The best Bond film ever.

[@richardjohn658]

i dont think youve watched any or many of the ones b4

[@fluorosco]

@@richardjohn658 live and let die The spy who loved me

[@SpeedKingHighwayStar]

@@richardjohn658 Exactly

[@cfcolly]

I really respect marks opinion, but I never belived all the home alone stuff at the end. Just left me thinking it was ridiculous. I'm going to go away and give the movie another chance just because of this review though

[@KajiCarson]

Thanks for that comment, mate, so insightful!

[@Ivanlois383]

It comes out on the ninth here in the states..urgh can't wait.

[@yppiz]

@uwtheo I also missed the zinger in the movie. Was it the one after the last bad guy was killed? Or was it earlier after the marksmanship with the old pistols?

[@10000Hawks]

I thought of Batman more so how Javier Bardem invokes the Joker.

[@CaminoAir]

I watched 'Skyfall' last night and I'm in two minds about it. Probably will have to see it again. It's overlong, the script is not really inspired, but not bad either (I could guess what the climax would involve). It didn't really draw me in, but it was well made. The music score needed to be better. I did like the Javier and Craig is as good as ever.

[@SpeedKingHighwayStar]

Or as many know it "Sky Awful"

[@dw300]

I had to rewind back to work out the Question of Sport reference.. haha!

[@KVASEY]

When Casino Royale was released many critics made the statement that Craig is not the best Bond but he is the best actor to ever play Bond. I would say the same thing about Javier Bardem. His performance is Oscar-caliber, but I think a lot of fans including myself would still put Goldfinger as a character ahead of Silva as a character.

[@luvpump1]

Loved the film, I could see Dark Knight 1 & 2 in it also

[@handsometom101]

The literal 'scotch shot' scene

[@larssonk22]

It seemed to me there was a lot we missed between QS and Skyfall. This film felt like it should have been a 2 films, Skyfall being the part 2. Would have been great if we are made aware of Bardem's character then left Bond's redemption plot for part 2.

[@oddnejmus]

Bardem improvising? Ah! That is actually quite interesting!

[@unaperrson]

Does Mark Kermode ever pause for breath? Opera singers the world over could learn a thing or two from him. Great intelligent review.

[@SpeedKingHighwayStar]

Sadly he doesn't which makes him difficult to listen to.

[@seahawk124]

He was referring to the moment when Silva is testing Bond's marksmanship and the one liner about the drink. I too thought it was out of place and could of been done better, but I still enjoyed the film a lot.

[@katashworth41]

Having watched both Casino Royale and Skyfall tonight, the advent of smartphones has really changed Bond.

[@CRISNCHIPS12398]

Just saw the film and extremely enjoyed it. Normally I follow films in the lead up to it, but I'm am VERY THANKFUL I did notas I avoided many rumours.

[@RevanGabriel]

Agreed!

[@Jakeclancyvideos]

Is he referring to "Last rat standing"? If so, I couldn't disagree with Mark more on this one. One of my favourite lines. I also would disagree that it's a "quip", it's much more than that and carries far more weight than "They'll print anything these days" or something of that ilk. The line in Skyfall is entirely relevant to the plot and theme of the film.

[@aryankaushik93]

At first I thought that too but i think he is referring to Severine"s character. Silva kills her and bond tells "What a waste of good scotch". Personally I had no problem with that and i found it quite funny

[@mitreswell]

The only good thing about Skyfall is that it makes you realize how fantasticly good the Bourne movies are.

[@aryankaushik93]

Lol skyfall is way better

[@grungeface87]

"Question of Sport" haha!

[@david552]

I agree with your criticisms of the Skyfall plot (esp the NATO agents all on one hard-disk, did they learn nothing from the child benefit data loss scandal??) but the problem with QoS plot wasn't that it didn't make *sense* as such (when do action film ever make sense?) the problem was the plot in QoS was told in a way that was too disjointed to maintain narrative tension

[@UncomfortableSilence]

Cinematography: Is great, Deakins is a clear presence here and Mendes knows how to shoot a film. Acting: Javier is fantastic, Daniel feels more experienced. Judi Dench and Ralph Fiennes are good. Script: That's the downfall for me, at least Casino Royale was written well. There are so many quips and forced dialogue in this film. At points characters seem psychic. There are even several problems with the way the plot flows, which could have been rectified with a revised script.

[@04Wenban]

the exact words i said after watching "ahhh were back"

[@nathanaelmarklew6415]

by far my favourite bond film

[@burtha3]

What is the quip he refers to after someone dies?

[@1pauled]

i dont think we were watching the same film.

[@adsasfd]

I liked this movie, but didn't bond fail his mission plus the mi6 hardrive is still missing.

[@jameshayward1305]

Yer i completely agree, casino royale was undone by question of sport

[@SWIFTpr0]

Its so amazing the things Mark said: central idea/run so strongly through it. And the very common criticism is that the plot was all over the place. I'm quite torn between both sides but I still LOVED this film.

[@Minic15]

He says the words "huge sense of relief" in the first ten seconds. It can't be that confusing.

[@hvitekristesdod]

When he’s talking about the moment where he says “oh the character wouldn’t do that” I wonder if he means the part where M is wounded and Silva is genuinely concerned and horrified? I think that’s a really brilliant bit which shows a very human and torn side of Silva who both loves and hates this woman... it also goes to show that any script is only as good as how well the actors use it and interpret it and make it their own... Bardem’s performance in this film is a masterclass and shows the importance of letting the actors be creators too

[@hvitekristesdod]

A news quote I read: “But all that potential scenery-chewing wasn't enough for Bardem; he needed to connect with character on some sort of level. He quotes fellow Spanish thespian Victoria Abril: "We, the actors, are the lawyers of the characters we represent; we have to defend them no matter what."”

[@britz9418]

Casino Royale was way better than Skyfall

[@aryankaushik93]

For you

[@uberlord12]

Skyfall (v). 1. To hire ones producers to write a script, typically due to a massive lack of funding. 2. Awkwardly disregard continuity, especially in regards to character development. 3. Mysteriously appear alive after being shot twice and falling off of a train bridge into a shallow river. This reappearance should occur without explanation or even acknowledgement by other characters. Ideally via a love scene with an unidentified, line-less, character.

[@Titanium0X]

Royale, QoS, Skyfall...The 'Bond Begins' Trilogy. Let's not kid ourselves.

[@johnnyhollywood1179]

0:27 laughed hard

[@TheMightyFiction]

I think it's in keeping with Bond as someone who doesn't give anything away. It can be justified as someone who keeps his grief private and doesn't want to give the bastard the satisfaction of acknowledging the brutality he's trying to shock him with, so uses a glib remark tas a shield. It could've been softened with a later expression of grief, though, like an acknowledgement that he'd let someone down he'd made a promise to protect.

[@tashavstasha]

What "... are back" did the good doctor say at 00:44 - 00:45?

[@YouNeverMind00]

I'll drink to that,He's the sole reason why I went to see the film.

[@TRUMPER007]

'Skyfall' could have been brilliant - but sadly, they missed again. So many plot-holes and 'how did that happen?' moments that it spoiled it for me. It was an enjoyable action film but has lost the uniqueness and quality of the older films. Daniel Craig is not just not James Bond and never will be - shame!

[@HopeMonkey]

Awesome film....

[@garethsmith6611]

did he say scrip was al over the place in casino or quanum ?

[@hvitekristesdod]

“It’s a waste of good scotch” is one of the best lines in the film lol

[@drdarkeny]

hvitekristesdod - what Mark missed in that scene was that immediately after making the flippant comment, Bond goes suicidally bezerker, taking a gun away from one bad guy, shooting him with it, then shooting all the other bad guys. It’s like the only way he can show grief and loss is through violence - and it’s very effective, and kind of sad.

[@hvitekristesdod]

drdarkeny Yep and he’s covering his own guilt that he feels for failing her, using flippant humor and violence as walls

[@madahad9]

Open question: How did the villian get out of the Hannibal Lechter display box? They cut away from the character and then cut back to dead agents and he's gone. How did he get out?

[@proof.17films]

This is not a plot hole. Silva had already engineered an escape plan before being arrested, which implies that he escaped through the floor.

[@nabhus]

Question of Sport!!! Hahahaha!!!

[@MozartDylan]

when the sky falls

[@kraigund5865]

Saw this opening night and I think this might be the most coherent bond yet (). .() \/ )___(

[@ZedLXI]

I thought that one "flippant" comment was on the money. It didn't come easy to Bond's lips and showed how he had to be hard to it rather than just, as it seems Kermode thinks, being uncaring.

[@MakeLevelTheRoad]

Fantastic movie, absolutely loved it!

[@coolcat20million]

I concur. I also disliked the "perfect timing" element that makes other movies, such as "Ocean's 11" and "Mission Impossible" unrealistic. For example: Just as the bad guy walks through a door in the subway system, his henchman are right there to hand him a package. (Really? And how did they know just at the right moment to be there?) There were a few instances of that in "Skyfall." It's just lazy film making.

[@uwtheo]

Couldn't agree more with the 'zinger' that missed the mark. I thought it was a step too far even by Bond standards - and I'm talking 'Dr. No' mysogyny standards - and just totally didn't correlate with the new Bond or indeed where we're made to believe he stands in terms of the character in question.

[@InfnityXAquos]

It did, in a way, have all three

[@fredpaul9466]

Sky Fall was 7 years ago?

[@porkchopexpress1]

what was the zinger??

[@j.aghorbani5197]

Roger Deakins and Sam Mendes= Greatest team up since Superman and Batman

[@zaprese]

Also here we have an old, tired Bond, yet 2 films ago, he was new to the role!!!

[@wolfman8325]

The Dark Knight parallels are clearly evident, entire scenes seem to be take straight from Batman begins & TDK, themes and even settings! Even the little things! SPOILERS: Bond travels to a neon asian city to capture a criminal, he shouts 'who do you work for' while he dangles him over a building's edge, the villian intentionally gets captured and escapes with a meticulous plan, even Ms remark about the car not being inconspicuous was similar! The music & the editting was even similar.

[@britishtelevisionfan2033]

watch his review of quantum of solace, then youll see he does like it. Hed have to..it being the best bond film in my opinion since the 70s .

[@1pauled]

its awesome..kermode clearly states how good he thinks it is.

[@tortfeasors]

The line is something like "that was a waste of good scotch". I don't want to give away what happens or who dies for anyone else, but that should sort you out.

[@iwouldhurtaFLY]

I actually think the zinger worked in context. Of course Bond cared about the character dying, it was his way of keeping his guard up against the villain. He knew Bond was weak and vulnerable, and he was trying to get at him mentally. Bond said the scotch line as a front to make it look like he was still in check mentally and had the upper hand.

[@harrycarlitos91]

I agree. I felt for that 'character'. I felt 'that character' really trusted Bond...

[@SeriousClassics]

I just watched it and very impressed. Confused by this zingler though, could someone message me as I'm lost to what he was referring too...

[@benbacharach3977]

It is when Bond says, "it's a waste of good scotch"

[@MattCipolla]

Easily the best Bond yet. Aside from the well-developed characters and incredible acting, all production values are amazing. The score is immaculate, the cinematography is unparalleled, the set design is fantastic and the attention to detail is great. I believe that Javier Bardem's Silva was the best villain of the series and his humor, like other characters, was so well-constructed without distracting from his menacing nature. It's two and a half hours and I was never, ever bored. 9.8/10.

[@xxXJCXxx]

A good Bond and certainly better than quantum of solass but by no means the best. Sam Mendes had a lot at his disposal which most directors never had. M's fate, new Money Penny, the old Aston, and Bond's home..I feel he wasted it.

[@monksally]

“Waste of good scotch” line always bothers me as well.

[@fbcaware8805]

I found it repulsive.

[@kitrobertson5957]

monksally To me it makes sense, he didn’t want to reveal anything to Silverman and felt as if she was a means to an end anyway, he also most likely had stopped caring after Vespa’s death.

[@drbinderust]

It didn't bother me because it came off as a commentary on Bond's flippant responses to death. He was clearly angry and upset, and he also needed a second to gauge how he was going to take out the Redshirts. He wasn't flippant because he didn't care -- he was flippant to remind himself he had a job to do, and to fall apart afterwards.

[@ahmedrafee2613]

Javier Bardem rocks

[@KittyHatProductions]

SPOILER The zinger is when a woman gets shot in the face and Bond says "What a waste of a good martini." (She was being forced to balance a martini on her head by the main villain) Despite the fact the movie was showing us Bond cares. I admit aside this heartless line, the rest of the movie was rock-solid.

[@brendanlittle2498]

This movie is incredible.

[@craigni34]

Cheers

[@MrEllifant]

I personally thought the "zinger" was believable. For me Casino Royale established why Bond is supressing or hiding his emotions (almost to a point of misogyny) and learned his lesson so to speak. I couldn't care for Bérénice after watching Eva Green drowning... the one Bond truly cared for (naming a cocktail after her, using her name as a password, quitting the service to live with her).

[@Videoho3000]

WTF! Where is the clip?

[@MysticalGreenBeanie]

why do people keep comparing this to dkr? i understand the similarities but the idea of a hero going away and coming back came out years ago

[@Omnicient.]

And why is Bond wearing Norman Wisdom's old suit?

[@Meursault1942]

I think it has to do with the shot glass.

[@maxrav1831]

I thought the film was ok as a film and there was some really good bits. I like Daniel Craig as Bond and I loved Casino Royale which is one of my favourite Bond films and that is high praise. However things nark at me from this film. I am not and never have been a great fan of Judy Dench as M. I think that whole mother thing was boring and it degrades bond for me so it isn't surprising one of the highlights of the film for me was when she died which was not the films intention I am sure.

[@Mrster]

What was it?

[@MmmmPiePants]

did he call quantum of solace question of sport?

[@Tymbus]

lol yes