Skyfall, A Worthy Addition To The Bond Legacy

Rating: 10/10 (6 December 2012)

Finally got to see Skyfall today at the Dine-In AMC Theater in Marina Del Rey, California. Wanted to go to the Landmark in Westwood, but time did not permit. The AMC was nice though at least at first sit with electric recliners and food and bar service right in the theater similar to the Alamo Brew House in Austin. When the film started a few things bugged me though. People tend to feel a bit more like they're in their living room in this environment which means a bit more talking. Its not a stadium seating room, but the main bone to pick is the night lights in between each seat which seemed overly bright during the screening. As far as Skyfall itself, I really liked the film. Adele's title track wasn't strong enough, but all in all a good Bond film which helps erase the mental trauma of that most terrible of films, Quantum of Solace. Skyfall feels like a Bond film. The opening sequence is very good and the shots are wide enough so we know where we are as it unfolds. The film itself has enough tense scenes and calm scenes to have great pace and engage the audience. Unlike Quantum of Solace you actually care about the characters, good and villainous, and it has a story, an honest to goodness story. Mendes did a good job of direction and Deakins Arri Alexa photography was gorgeous. I did not see the Imax version which I thought would be useless since the film wasn't shot in Imax, but the version I saw looked great with no noticeable digital artifacts. I still think the first five Sean Connery Bonds are the best of course, but Skyfall is a worthy addition to the Bond legacy. Now if only I could erase Quantum of Solace from my memory. Unfortunately nothing short of a lobotomy will do that and I'm not ready to go that far at this juncture. Skyfall is good. Casino Royale is the better Daniel Craig Bond, but Skyfall is a close second. If you haven't seen it go. You'll get quite the ride.