It’s been a while since I wrote about a film on Florence Finds, but then it has also been a long time since I have been as excited about a film as I was about the new James Bond Film, Skyfall. I grew up watching Bond, found common ground with Pete in our mutual appreciation of the films when we met and I happen to think Daniel Craig is the most authentic Bond yet… that and Adele’s silky tones wrapped round the omnipresent theme tune got me super excited for the release.
As we sat in the cinema and the title sequence rolled after the standard gripping opening scene, I found myself thinking, what is it exactly about Bond that makes it so good? I mean, lets face it, it’s formulaic. *Spoiler Alert* Bond doesn’t die… and yet the films are so good because every time he’s face to face with the bad guy I really can’t see how he’s going to get out this time and Skyfall is no exception.
Let me qualify my first statement by explaining why Craig makes the best Bond yet. He has all the dark brooding attributes that Fleming intended for his deadly assassin in the books and the emotionless air of someone with a damaged past. Since Craig took the role of Bond the films have been more stripped back, darker, as though slowly laying the foundations for the new generation of Bond films and this one was no exception. With a serious air of nostalgia throughout it felt appropriate for our austerity focused country, harking back to the golden days of espionage.
Sam Mendes has done a fantastic job, blending iconic Bond scenes (Bond sailing into his enemies lair twice with typical suave bravado,) and epic exotic locations with incredible cinematography. One scene see’s Bond stalking his target in a multi walled glass building with the Shanghai Ad billboards reflecting as an ever changing smokescreen back drop, falling in and out of the shadows as the lights changed – it completely blew my mind.
In a change from the norm however much of the film is set on home turf with a real sense of reality and relevance as London and M16 itself comes under terrorist attack using the most modern of technologies, the internet. The film also sees a changing of the guard – there’s a brilliantly geek-chic new Q, and a new Moneypenny, with a further sense of scene setting for future films. Javier Bardem makes one of the most cringeworthy and psychologically disturbing bad guy’s for some time too, with a camp twist on being mad, bad and simultaneously brilliant.
I loved it, every second and definitely think it’s one of the best yet… but what I want to know is what did you think about it? Have you seen it this weekend? Will you be going to see it? Do share your thoughts readers, good or bad 
Love,
Rebecca
xo
Disclaimer: Tickets for this showing of Skyfall were provided by Ladbrokes as part of the Ladbrokes night out campaign.
We’re going to go and see it on Saturday, can’t wait! We’re having a Bond night – Skyfall at Odeon Leicester Sq, casino & cocktails.
So so so desperate to see this film!
Hubby used to work in the film industry and this bond was the last one he worked on, and we can’t see it at the cinema coz baby 2 finally made her arrival sat am!
I agree tho, Mr Craig is my fave bond by far (whispers I really don’t like Sean as bond…)
Patiently waiting for the DVD release…
Me neither Gemma and Im Scottish shh! Daniel is my favourite.
Congratulations on birth of your baby, hope you are both doing well xx
I loved it! I’m going to go see it again! I thought the cinematography was stunning! the smokey scenes on the moor was hauntingly beautiful!
I am SO excited about seeing this. Will hopefully be seeing it this weekend (as soon as Odeon release the damn tickets) to make it a weekend full of family film traditions: Harry Potter studios on Saturday and Bond on Sunday after lunch!
I think of the “old school” Bonds with all the cheesy one liners, inventions and implausible stunts Brosnan was my fave followed by Moore. Now Bond has entered a darker Bond/Batman-esque phase I find it hard to compare Craig’s Bond with his front runners… if i had to…? If a Bond Villan was holding a gun to mty head and I HAD to? I think Craig edges it just slightly over Brosnan… maybe.
P.S. anyone else been hooked on the 007 channel on Sky for the past month? It’s been the source of much debate with my (equally Bond-obsessed) husband over how we’d put them in order of preference.
“Does it matter?” I hear you ask… well yes actually… I have all of the DVDs and I want them on the shelf in that agreed order! Ha ha!
My husband is hooked on the Sky channel and its cracking me up!
Off to see it in 4 hours – can’t wait! Even die hard Bond fans have dubbed it the best yet…Sam Mendes + Daniel Graig + Javier Bardem = cinematic viagra methinks! xx
Everything you said above! Spot on – Roz and I went to see it last night and loved it (despite leg crunching seats for 3 hours – owww!) All the scenes were beautifully done and stunning to look at! So exciting, I want to see it again already! Also, how stunning was Berenice?!
I loved it, really enjoyed it!
I wasn’t a huge Bond fan, Alex is, so Ive watched a few and I find them to cheesy … sorry to all the diehards. Maybe its cause there old, I dont know.
Daniel Craig is fab and I think he plays Bond the way I expect Bond to be, if that makes sense. We went on Saturday night and on Friday, we watched Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.
The film itself was fabulous as you say Rebecca, the graphics were amazing. Javier Bardem, I still see a resemble to Silence of the Lambs in every part he plays.
Go and see it girls you wont be dissappointed.
Yes! Have tickets booked for Fri night. Now even more excited having read your post!
I’m going to see it tomorrow. Can’t wait!
I didn’t enjoy the last bond film so was a bit sceptipical as to what the latest one would be like. I grew up watching bond films with my dad I always preferred Sean Connery as bond rather than the very camp Rodger Moore.
I really enjoyed this film the story was more realistic and the baddie was the best villain ever! The action kept me on the edge of my seat and the vintage car was a big bonus!
A big thumbs up from me
Haven’t been yet but did get text from friend on Friday night which stated:
‘Bond is a gigantic two hour long penis extender. GO NOW’
What is not to love?
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I am dying to see the film but haven’t had a chance too. Do you know if it’s still playing in English anywhere in Florence? Please let me know!