Review: Skyfall (dir. Sam Mendes)

Story: A mission in Istanbul ends in failure, with Bond (Daniel Craig) pressumed dead and a harddisk with vital data missing. At home, ‘M’ (Judi Dench) is under attacks from government officials and an old foe from her past. But when Bond reappears to save the day, he may no longer be the lethal weapon he once was.

The 23^rd official James Bond film came with high expectations, and some dread. After all, it was the film that would celebrate fifty years of James Bond (Dr. No, the first film, was released 1962). It starred an actor who many consider the best James Bond since Sean Connery, and was directed by award winning director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Revolutionary Road). The dread was that the Bond series would not be able to return to the level of Casino Royale (2006) after the unfortunate Quantum of Solace (2008). And was a high profile ‘serious’ director the right person to direct an action adventure? Would the weight of history drag Bond down or would it give him wings?

Fair is fair, it is quite a relief that Skyfall is a really good James Bond film. It is more than that. It is a really good film. However, it is not as good as some English reviewers would have us believe. In their common, patriottically inspired enthusiasm – in which each new Bond is greeted as wither the best or the worst ever – they hailed Skyfall as the highlight of the franchise’s history. I sincerely doubt this. Skyfall is good, but I doubt whether it is up there with Goldfinger and Casino Royale.

Let su start with the really good things then. First there is an impressive cast, filling a series of iconic roles. Craig is excellent as Bond. I am amongst those who rate him higher than Connery, especially considering the demands of the role in the serious reboot that the series got with Casino Royale. Equally brilliant, and finally in a substantial role, is Judi Dench as M. Javier Bardem’s Silva is one of the scariest but also one of the most believable villains Bond has ever faced. And as if that were not enough, supporting roles are filled with enthusiasm and energy by the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Albert Finney. Bérénice Marlohe and Noamie Harris are interesting Bond girls.

As important as a good cast is a good script. And Skyfall’s plot is serious and grown-up, but also straightforward and founded in a ‘real’ modern world. As GoldenEye (1995) once tried to be, it is a thoughtful meditation on the role of Bond in a digital, post-Cold War world. The film also looks gorgeous, courtesy of cinematographer Roger Deakins. Perhaps a little too gorgeous, as some of the more aesthetic shots hint at the artificiality of Bond’s universe.

Which brings me to my main point of critique. Skyfall’s weakest part is exactly its history. It tries, too much to my taste, to honor the past. Thereby it does not only highlight its artificiality, but it also makes the film predictable, especially in the second half. A number of, what appear to be, red herrings are set up in the plot. And then you don’t expect everything to work out exactly as you’d expect things to work out. It is one thing to bring back the Aston Martin, it is quite another thing to use it the way the film does (see how I try not to give too much away here?). The same is true for a number of ‘unexpected’ character developments.

But hey, what does it say about Skyfall that those are my main points of concern? Only that the rest of the film is really, really good.

Final verdict: Not just a return to form, for Bond, but a return to format as well. An excellent episode that finishes the job Casino Royale started: to set up a new Bond in a new universe. If only it had the balls to let go a little more of the past.

Let the Skyfall!

Allright, I’m ready for it. Skyfall. The new Bond film. The 23^rd “official” appearance of Ian Fleming’s 007 on the big screen. Released exactly 50 years after the first one, Dr. No. The third film with Daniel Craig as Bond. And the seventh one with Judi Dench as his boss, M. The latter is quite important this time around, as the plot of Skyfall will see big bad guy Silva (Javier Bardem with atrocious teeth and hair) launch a full scale attack on MI6 and M personally. You will read more about the film after I see it on Wednesday, but I can say this much: my expectations are very high. The first teaser trailer blew me away:

A very ‘unBondesque’ affair indeed. The second trailer was considerably more conventional, but not less exciting:

Skyfall comes with the most lauded and praised cast and crew ever, so much is for sure. Next to Craig, Dench (10 Bafta wins and six Oscar nominations) and Bardem (Oscar win for No Country for Old Men), Ralph Fiennes (1 Bafta win and 2 Oscar nominations) will appear. Director Sam Mendes won an Oscar for American Beauty, cinematographer Roger Deakins was nominated eight (!) times, and composer Thomas Newman seven times. Indeed, never where there more golden statues at a Bond set.

Finally, Skyfall has received considerable praise accross the channel, where it opened last week. Words have even been spoken about it being ‘the best Bond ever’. Who knows. Just some quotes from leading reviewers:

 

“All you could want from a 21^st century Bond.” (Empire)

“The 007 adventure we’ve been waiting for.” (TotalFilm)

“Thie 23^rd canonical Bond picture is possibly the best.” (Philip French, The Observer)

 

And there is of course Adele, belting out that theme tune as if she were Shirley Bassey. A tune that just won’t get out of my head. Indeed, bring it on, let the Sky Fall!

Review: Skyfall trailer

Last week the full trailer for Skyfall came online. What do we think?

First of all, it is not by a long shot as intriguing as that very first teaser, which was a work of art in my book. But that does not mean that this is bad, or that it makes me expect less from the film.

As you may recall, Skyfall is being directed by Academy Award winning director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Jarhead, Revolutionary Road). This is a clear new direction taken by producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilso. In the past, the director was ‘just for hire’ on Bond films, and if there were ‘authors’  to the series at all than the producers filled that role. Skyfall seems a typical Mendes film, with strong visual images (also courtesy of cinematographer Roger Deakins) and troubled protagonists. Furthermore, Mendes brought his own composer Thomas Newman with him, replacing Bond regular David Arnold.

The action looks stunning. The plot substantial and the threat real. The big question is how especially British audiences will react to what seems to be a terrorist attack on the London Underground.

Javier Bardem is an old-fashioned Bond viollain with an accent and a bad hair day. However, remembering his Anton Chigurh (No Country for Old Men) he is also properly scary. Ben Whishaw looks good as a new, young ‘Q’. The girls are beautiful, but not much more than that it seems. There is no place for a Vesper Lynd in Skyfall.

If there is a big female role at all, it must be Judi Dench’s M, whose former mistakes cost MI6 dearly now. The question on everyone’s minds is whether Dench will survive the film, with Ralph Fiennes lined up as government official Gareth Mallory.

We will have to wait for November 1st to find out. Until then,w e’ll have to make do with the new trailer and this stunning teaser:

Five things we’ve learned from the Skyfall teaser…

Hello! Kaboom. The name is Fall, Skyfall. And this is the teaser trailer. Which is now officially considered abso-f*ing-lutely f*ing awesome. Awesome.

Some things we’ve learned. First of all: this one is quite tough and strikes home. London is one of the major settings of this film, and it appears we might see an attack on the Underground. With memories of 2005 relatively fresh and the Olympics with all their security fuss on the agenda, this is more than topical.

Second: It looks gorgeous. But that’s to be expected when you pair director Sam Mendes with cinematographer Roger Deakins and costume designer Tom Ford (that’s his tuxedo that Bond is wearing in the Shanghai bit). A bit too gorgeous for Daniel Craig’s ‘roughed up’ version of Bond? Perhaps; we’ll have to see.

Third: The best villain introduction since ever, as Javier Bardem’s big baddie Silva walks away from an explosion, and we only see him in silhouette…

Fourth: the classic Aston Martin DB5 is back!

And finally: is this going to be a perfect double bill with Christopher Nolan’s Inception? I had strong ‘Nolanesque’ feelings with this teaser. It somehow reminded me quite a bit of The Dark Knight, with the terror striking close to home and a protagonist in psychological shambles… And Inception was, as Nolan proclaimed, his “Bond” film. Which does not mean I would not like to see the man doing a ‘real’ Bond flick.

But that’s fantasizing about the far future, while in the immediate one there is so much to look forward to. Not only Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises, but also Sam Mendes’ Skyfall. Officially proclaimed awesome. What a year!

PS Probably a coincidence, but Bane, the villain in The Dark Knight Rises, made his first appearance in the comic book series Knightfall. Not only is this an alliteration of Skyfall, in this comic book Bane also broke Batman’s mind and his back. Is Bond awaiting a similar fate? This teaser surely leaves open the possibility….

The Thing With The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

[WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW]

is that it is bafflelingly casted. I noticed it, now that posters of the film are everywhere – in train stations, on bus stops – to promote the DVD and Bluray of the film. David Fincher’s American film remake of the Swedish miniseries original casts James Bond opposite that girl from the opening scene of The Social Network. It is silly, and a little bit creepy.

In the original miniseries Män Som Hattar Kvinnor (“Man Who Hate Women”) the middle-aged journalist Mikael Blomkvist was played by Swedish actor Michael Nikvist. Nikvist (1960) is notably older than Daniel Craig (1968), and not only because of the years, but also because of the looks. Moreover, Movie Star Craig can put on some glasses and wear sloppy clothing, but he remains 007. Action hero. Sex god. Craig’s Blomkvist can’t be in serious danger when he is caught by serial killer Martin Vanger. He can’t depend on the aid of a 23 year old slightly autistic punk girl! This happens, but I never believe it.

If Nikvist’s Blomkvist ends up in bed with almost every woman he meets, then there must be something special about him below the surface. Or it is a comment on Swedish society; a very wry one in a relatively feminist text as the Millenium books. If James Bond sleeps with every woman in the film, that’s just… normal. Daily routine. It means nothing.

So the betrayal that Lisbeth Salander feels when she sees Blomkvist embracing his editor Erika Berger at the end of the film means exactly that: nothing. Silly girl, did you really think he would stick around with you? You just bought him a jacket that you saw him wearing in a picture of him and his ex-wife. Do you really think you are mature enough to be with him?

Salander doesn’t stand a chance with Craig’s Blomkvist. She is played Rooney Mara, a young and talented actress who nevertheless does not do a lot more than a sufficient imitation of Noomi Rapace. Mara (1985) is notably younger than Rapace (1979) and is in age closer to the Lisbeth Salander of the book. But she is not by far as strong a Salander’s Rapace. So with a stronger Blomkvist and a weaker Salander, their brief relationship is never destined for anything more than a pity fuck on a cold and isolated island. The fact that Blomkvist’s teenage daughter (who cannot be less than seven years younger than Salander) plays a small but significant role in Fincher’s film, and not in the original, only heightens the sense of inapproriateness, even creepiness.

And yet. There is this one moment in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo in which all of this is turned around. It is too small a moment to save the film, but it is there. When Blomkvist arrives at the cottage after he is being shot at, with a superficial but bloody wound on his forehead, Salander makes him sit down in the bath tub, with his clothes on and the shower running. It does not only cleanse him of the blood, but also of the stress and the fear. It is the mirror image of that one scene in Casino Royale, in which Eva Green’s Vesper Lynd sits in the shower, clothes on, with the water running, after she witnessed a brutal fight between Craig’s Bond and two African assasins. Bond sits down next to her and embraces her tenderly.

Salander does not embrace Blomkvist tenderly. She sterilizes a needle with vodka, cleans his wound with the drink and stiches him up. Excellent.

A Worthy Addition to the Franchise – the The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo review

David Fincher is a curious filmmaker. He is the king of cool, with films such as Fight Club, Se7en and The Social Network on his CV. Slick, technically superb and moody pieces; clearly mirroring his early career in music videos. But he also made the sugar-sweet and flawed The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. And stylish-if-generic thrillers like The Game and Panic Room. His best film, Zodiac, is probably the least seen one while his reputation was almost blown to pieces because of Alien3, a film heavily cut and recut by the studio.

Where does The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo fit in this list? Well, as a reassurance we can say that it is at least not Benjamin Button or Alien3. It is an exciting film, which in its visual and musical style is closest to Fight Club, while thematically it is related to Zodiac. But it is not as good as either of these.

Of course Fincher is handicapped by the fact that his film is not only an adaptation of the first of the hugely popular Millenium books by the late Stieg Larsson; the Swedish/German/Danish television adaptation (which had a cinematic release in a shorter, flawed version) is also deeply appreciated and only 2 years old. There are few people who will come to see this film who are not already familiar with the adventures of disgraced journalist Mikael Blomqvist and brilliant hacker but social outcast Lisbeth Salander.

And, crucially, who do not think the portrayal of Salander by the Swedish actress Noomi Rapace (now in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows) seminal. Lisbeth Salander is already an iconic role, and casting her must have been a headache for Fincher. Eventually he came up with Rooney Mara, a relatively unknown actress who had a small supporting role in The Social Network. Mara has big boots to fill, but she manages quite well. Her Salander is younger and more vulnerable than Rapace’s and, depending on your understanding of the character, arguably closer to the literary version. An Oscar for her role would be a bit too much, but it is nice she got nominated.

Daniel Craig fares less well. To put it simply: 007 is too confident and handsome to be the troubled mind Blomqvist. Michael Nyqvist (now in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol) was much better because he looked worse. And because he was obviously not an Action Hero. He needed the help of Salander, more so than Craig’s character. Daniel Craig is a fantastic actor, but the Bond-thing works against him as it did for Sean Connery and for Pierce Brosnan.

A serious problem in the book, the long epilogue, was better dealt with (read: shortened) in the first adaptation, but the central plot is structured and told well by Fincher. Quick synopsis: disgraced journalist is hired by old millionaire to investigate the 40 year old disappearance of his niece. After he calls in the help of an outcast hacker he finds out that the mystery extends to present day. TGWTDT is a film about the old and the new Sweden, and the racism and the sexism on which this apparent model society is built.

These underlying themes play out really well in Fincher’s film; and more than in Nils Arden Oplev’s television version, which was more of a character study and a murder mystery. All in all the new film is a worthy addition to the Millenium franchise, although I doubt whether it justifies remaking the sequels as well, as they were more about Salander, and Salander is and always will be Rapace.

Oh, and there is a stunning opening credits sequence that I just wanted to never end:

Skyfall – Update

A few weeks ago the title and cast of the new James Bond film were announced. Daniel Craig will star again, this time in Skyfall. Ther cast members confirmed were Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes and Ben Whishaw. The latter’s role was still a mystery though. By now, filming has started, and once in a while a picture of a clapperboard finds it way online. Also, some other things are now known about Skyfall:

1: It will be better than Quantum of Solace. That’s what everybody is hoping, but Daniel Craig is also promising it. In an interview with Empire he said that QoS was such a mess because the infamous Hollywood writiers’ strike of 2007-2008 started when there was hardly a script. Since movies as big as these don’t sinmply get shelved or put on hold unless it is absolutely necessary, the script was worked out – during filming – by director Marc Foster and Craig himself. No wonder that it feels lacking in story, and was more or less just an action-packed extension to Casino Royale. Quantum of Solace was never intended to be that much of a sequel, and Skyfall will not be a sequel (or threequel) either. It will be stand alone film, and not the end of a ‘trilogy’.

2: Q will be back. And he will be played by Ben Whishaw. This is quite a surprise. First of all because the ‘Bond-new-style’ of Casino Royale and QoS did not seem in need for any gadgets. Second because Ben Whishaw is kinda… young. At least in comparison to the iconic late Desmond Llewelyn and John Cleese, who played Q’s successor R in two films. But young Whishaw is a good actor, best known from Perfume. “Now pay attention, 007, for this is not an ordinary Eau de Cologne…” What could Q hide in a perfume? Feel free to let your imagination go wild and respond to this blog.

3: Roger Deakins is the cinematographer. If that name does not ring a bell; he is the genius behind the looks of so many Coen brothers films: True Grit, Fargo, No Country for Old Men. Deakins worked with director Sam Mendes before, on the also-gorgeous-looking Jarhead. So Skyfall will at least look good!

4: Talk about looking good. To make up for the rampant sexism of early Bond films, in which Sean Connery and Roger Moore treated woman as mere objects, Daniel Craig will please the men-loving audience by taking his shirt of once more. Or, if it is up to producer Barbara Broccoli, he won’t be wearing any shirt at all.

The name is Fall, Skyfall

The movie formerly known as Bond 23 has a title. And that title is Skyfall. This has been announced at a press conference inLondon yesterday by director Sam Mendes.

What a minute. Sam Mendes? He of American Beauty and Revolutionary Road directing a traditional action flick? Yes. Sam Mendes. When this was announced it sparked rumors that Bond 23 would be low on action and heavy on dialogue and character. But Mendes denied these rumors at the press conference by saying that Skyfall will have “all the elements of a classic Bond movie including, to quell any rumors, a lot of action”. Good.

So whadawethink, titlewise? Skyfall? Well, it does not have the mysterious quality of The Man With the Golden Gun or From Russia With Love, but it does beat such garbly nonsense as Tomorrow Never Dies and Die Another Day. And one-word-titles have turned out to be good films in the past: Goldfinger, Goldeneye. Although there are also, oops, Moonraker and Octopussy. Skyfall is not a title with any connection to the Ian Fleming universe. The name is otherwise known as that of a Transformer (though not one from the Bay-films) and as the title of several fantasy novels. What is a Skyfall then? Perhaps a plan, or a machine, or a weapon… You can place your bets now.

The script is written by regular Bond writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade and guest writer John Logan (Gladiator, Rango, the upcoming Scorsese film Hugo). Mendes and producer Barbara Broccoli would not reveal much about the plot except for this little blurp:

“Bond’s loyalty to M is tested to the full 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.”

Okay. That sounds exciting enough. But what about Quantum; the mysterious organization from the last two movies? Mendes says that Skyfall is its own story and does not feature Quantum. I find that disappointing. Surely, Quantum of Solace was massively flawed, but I had invested interest in the SPECTRE like secret conspiracy and its mysterious leader Mr. White (Jesper Christensen). I want to see Mr. White getting sucked into a jet engine or ripped to pieces by a giant underwater drill. As I said, a bit of a disappointing move.

Talking casting: Daniel Craig will return as Bond, thank God, he is definitely good enough to do a considerable number of films as 007. Judi Dench will be ‘M’ again, which is also reassuring. New names are (take a deep breath): Ralph Fiennes AND Javier Bardem as bad guys (Bond teaming up against Voldemort and Anton Chigurh, wow!), Naomie Harris and Bérénice Marlohe as Bond girls, Albert Finney (The Bourne Ultimatum) as a government official and Ben Whishaw (Perfume, The Tempest) as an unnamed character.

Filming will take place in London, Istanbul, Shanghai and Scotland. Skyfall is planned to premiere on October 26 2012 in the UK, and one week later in the US and The Netherlands. That is all so far. Apart from this nice piece of traditional Bond artwork:

Enriching the Vocabulary of Cinema: the The Adventures of Tintin review

I was not jumping up and down with excitement hen the news broke, some years ago, that Peter Jackson would produce a Steven Spielberg-directed 3D motion-capture film based on Hergé’s Tintin comic books. I’ve never been much of a Jackson fan, my opinion on 3D is probably well known to regular readers here, motion-capture still suffered from the dead-eyes syndrome and Tintin. Well, I actually did not know much nor cared a lot about Tintin. The only good thing in that press announcement was Steven Spielberg. And I thought he’d better spend his time doing something else.

The first images that were released weren’t very promising either. The shoulders and arms of the animations seemed to be all over the place. But during the last year, as teasers and trailers hit the web, The Adventures of Tintin: the Secret of the Unicorn started to peak my interest. So I set aside my problems with Jackson’s style (baggy plots, lack of character), read up on my Tintin – which gave my some unexpected pleasures – donned my 3D glasses and set down in a Sunday afternoon screening.

A cinema filled with parents stuffing their loud offspring with chocolates, crisps, popcorn and that most obnoxious of multiplex snacks: Nacho’s. It should have been hell. And although my pleasure of the film was once or twice interrupted by undisciplined small fry, it wasn’t hell. I enjoyed myself. Immensely. Because the film was really entertaining.

The first good thing about the film was that it did not give me a headache, and the 3D work was – if unnecessary – reasonably done. Which reinforces my argument that it is better suited for animation in the first place.

The second good thing about the film is the writing. Stephen Moffat, Edgar Wright and Joe Cornish have tackled the problem of Hergé’s episodic, meandering narratives successfully: they combined elements from three books “The Crab with the Golden Claws”, “The Secret of the Unicorn” and “Red Rackham’s Treasure” into one thrilling adventure: Tintin comes into possession of a model ship that is sought after by others as well, as it contains clues to the location of a lost pirate treasure. Teaming up with his new friend, the alcoholic sea captain Archibald Haddock, Tintin then tries to find the treasure before villain Sakharine. Haddock’s family history appears to be a vital part of the story. Very exciting indeed.

The third good thing in the film is the casting. Motion-capture has really made some big steps forward over the last few years, giving actors now the chance to not just move about the recording stage, but give actual physical expression to the characters. Jamie Bell does a fine job as Tintin, in what is probably the least interesting character in the film (Tintin is traditionally the empty character with whom readers could easily identify). Daniel Craig has a lot of fun as Sakharine, playing fully against 007 type. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost get a little too little to do as Thomson and Thompson. But it is Andy Serkis, a veteran of the trade, who has a field day as Haddock, although his accent is maddeningly eccentric.

Last and best thing about Tintin… : Steven Spielberg. The 3D may not be that interesting, but the absolute craftsman of cinema has reinvented himself with animation. Spielberg uses mirrors, reflections and odd perspectives that would never be possible in live action cinema to switch between locales and scenes. That is the most important thing about this film; it enriches the vocabulary of narrative cinema. One film like this every year, and the art remains alive.

The Pig With The Froggy Tattoo

Seen this one? It is the trailer for David Fincher’s must anticipated remake of The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo. Caused a bit of a stir when it was released this summer. The film stars Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, and will be released next Christmas (USA) and January (NL):

And remember how the new The Muppets film was advertised by spoof trailers of The Hangover 2, The Green Lantern and random romantic comedies? Now they’ve got a new one:

The Muppets will of course bring anarchy to multiplexes on November 23 (USA) and February 17 (NL)