Raoul Silva: “Mummy was very bad”
Director:
Producer:
Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli
Cast:
Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva (Tiago Rodriguez)
Judi Dench as M
Ralph Fiennes as Gareth Mallory
Naomie Harris as Eve Moneypenny
Bérénice Marlohe as Sévérine
Albert Finney as Kincade
Ben Whishaw as Q
Helen McCrory as Clair Dowar
Ola Rapace as Patrice
Music:
Thomas Newman &”Skyfall” performed by Adele
Based on James Bond by Ian Fleming
Story:
Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.
Review:
It’s been 50 years of Bond. And the 23rd movie just might be the best Bond movie of all.
From the opining chase sequence in Istanbul and the missing drive, was amazing. From this opening chase itself, we realize that this is different from other bond movies. Others usually start with a bang. This starts with a more mellow tone.
I was happy to see the absence of the shaky camera, which plagues the disaster that was Quantum of Solace. Director Sam Mendes and Cinematographer Roger Deakins, have created the most visually appealing bond movie creating beautiful and breath taking juxtapositions of light and silhouettes. This departs form the normal trend of globe trotting and yet manages to be breathtaking. Especially the Shanghai scene.
Daniel Craig, in my opinion is the embodiment of the Bind spirit. He, I believe channels Ian Fleming’s novelized Version of Bond. I, for one hope that he continues to be Bond for some more time. Bond still has his comedic moments with his one-liners and dry wit.
As much as it hurts me to say it but, Javier is a damn good actor. He has acted wonderfully in this movie as a person who is the most believable Villain. He has a little of Joker in him. But that just might be me.
Judi Dench and Daniel Craig’s chemistry as M and Bond is impeccable. They are perfect together. They have their own exchange of witty dialogue and one liners. The new Quatermaster is an awesome one. I don’t know why, but he reminded me if Benedict Cumberpatch as Sherlock. The new Q is different from the others. The most evident one is that he is young and more of a genius. He too has his comedic moments. Ralph Fiennes and Naomi Harris playing Mallory and Eve are great supporting cast to Craig.
The story was fast paced, and engaging. It had its unexpected twits and turns and delivers a wonderful Bond Movie. The action is dialed back a bit. The anticipation for an action sequence just makes the action even better.
The cinematography by Deakins was beautiful. As I mentioned before the Shanghai sequence was the most breathtaking when a moment of suspense is silhouetted against the acid-y colors of the Neon signs. It goes to show how visually appealing this movie is.
This movie shows us the Bond is not all about his Guns and modern technology, which is required for a modern spy. It gives us a Cold War-esque feel.
The titles sequence in this movie was probably the best I’ve seen. And Thomas Newman’s background score was superb. It contrasts the violent and the quite sequences. It compliments every scene and doesn’t seem out of place. The theme song by Adele was also amazing.
I felt that the movie was not perfect but it was complete. It has nods to all the other Bond movies and I’m pretty sure that the franchise is secure for the next 50 years. Javier Bardem was a physical and psychological match to Bond and his acting was one of the highlights of the movie.
Final Verdict:
9/10
Bond:Some men are coming to kill us. We’re going to kill them first.
Galactica 