ViewGuide

Created Nov 14, 2012 10:44PM PST • Edited Jan 05, 2019 08:53PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   A big Bondian miasma, dark and steely, Skyfall marks a solid chapter in the half century superspy series. Big it is – nearly two and a half hours, though it doesn’t feel overlong; complete with massive explosions and huge fights; full of big, big moviestars, including a first rate supervillain played by Javier Bardem. Big.

   The blond Bond’s third outing is distinctly better than Quantum of Solace, though not up in the rare air of Casino Royale. Unfortunately it’s one of those movies where the trailer contains most of the great bits, making the movie itself somewhat of a letdown.

   Don’t let that scare you away, even if you’ve seen Craig – Daniel Craig – straighten his cuffs countless times now in the trailers, disaster be damned. Panache never goes out of style. Neither does James Bond.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   Daniel Craig’s Bond has become like a comfortably snug suit – familiar and welcome, challenging and flattering. He owns the role now, so much so that his relatively advanced age is something of a joke. For those of us in roughly the same generation, that’s the flattering part.

   Javier Bardem’s super-villain is first rate – brilliantly slippery and gleefully nihilistic. Plus he deftly injects a note of sexual tension into his tete-a-tetes with Bond. Very au courant.

   Then there are the role players.

   • Judi Dench’s M is perhaps the best in the series’ history.
   • Ralph Fiennes’ Ministerial overlord is properly upper-crust.
   • Naomie Harris’s junior agent is a fresh and sexy surprise. She’ll be welcome in future chapters.
   • Bérénice Marlohe’s femme fatale has a great look. Pity she won’t be seen in future chapters.
   • Albert Finney’s big-hearted Scottish gamekeeper gives the movie a Batman-Alfred vibe.
   • Ben Whishaw’s young Q needs to marinate a bit before we declare him fully ready for the role.

   Finally, let’s hear it for the ultimate credit in a James Bond movie: the sultry Tonia Sotiropoulou as “Bond’s Lover.” Imagine the audition.

5. Male Stars Really Great 4.5

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Very Good 3.5

8. Male Costars Really Great 4.5

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

    Sam Mendes and a trio of writers successfully created a nifty new chapter of the James Bond saga without resorting to an Ian Fleming novel. Bully. They also deftly round all the necessary touchstones. “Bond, James Bond” is tossed off quickly, as it should be this time. His martini is made just how he likes it without requiring instruction, a stirring touch. Moneypenny’s appearance is a sexy surprise, as is a trusty old car.

    Then there’s Skyfall itself, kind of a Bondian Rosebud. Brilliant.

11. Direction Great 4.0

12. Play Good 3.0

13. Music Great 4.0

    Adele’s theme song ranks in the Top Ten, which is saying something. Then there’s the James Bond Theme, which never fails to stir the soul.

14. Visuals Great 4.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.5

    Gently risqué, albeit with plenty of pretend violence and minor Bondian sexuality. New this time is a hint of homosexuality. Scandalous.

17. Sex Titillating 2.5

18. Violence Fierce 2.5

19. Rudeness Salty 2.5

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.6

22. Circumstantial Supernatural 3.1

23. Biological Surreal 2.7

24. Physical Glib 1.9