Skyfall

After a number of sold out screenings I have finally been able to catch the latest film in the James Bond franchise. A franchise which I am a fan of and could not wait to see where they went next with Agent 007. I am also a big fan Daniel Craig as the leading man, Casino Royale was my favourite Bond film, though unfortunately it was let down by Quantum of Solace. Though after going to the cinema today I believe my favourite Bond film may have just changed to Skyfall.

With Sam Mendes in the directer chair it was guaranteed Skyfall was going to have some class, and he did not disappoint. In Bond's latest outing his '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.' Skyfall is the return to form for Bond that's tone is a mix of Casino Royale and the earlier, more cheesier Bond films. So for me this was the perfect mix of old and new, which really suited it as this is the 50th year of Bond, we are reminded of this throughout the film with some really brilliant fan moments.

Bond as usual starts with a great action scene and Skyfall grips us well by giving us some of the best we have seen of Bond. The opening credits scene is also a return to form as Adele's song sounds like a classic theme tune and the visuals to go with it are also incredible. 

The whole film's visuals are beautiful, this is mainly because of the various exotic locations but the cinematography also works a treat to make this an amazing experience. The CGI is also good apart from a few dodgy looking lizards but because of the film's dominant use of practical effects this problem is not a common one.

The acting is also first class, with Craig reminding us why he is the best Bond yet and Ben Whishaw letting us know he could be the best Q yet. Other new great casting editions include Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem as one of Bond's most interesting villains yet. Judi Dench also has more screen time as M this time round and she also gets say 'bloody hell' a lot, because that is of course how us British speak.

I was however confused as to who was the Bond girl in this film. We had two women who had some kind of relationship with James but not enough to call either one of them a Bond girl. Either way they were both great actress's and both added something new and interesting to the film.

I really admire the action and set pieces in this film, they were done really well and this was one of the main reasons I loved the film so much! Some of the set pieces felt very much like they had been heavily influenced by The Dark Knight. But that is no bad thing! I also enjoyed the new angle on Bond and looking back into his past and finding out a little bit more about the man underneath the suit.

My only flaws with the film are the dodgy lizards and some strange cast additions in the last act. One cast addition that I very much think was intended for Sean Connery as a cameo. But apart from that I very much loved this film!

Skyfall is the perfect combination of old and new style Bond, and this made the film for me. 2012 has been full of great films and this is just another one to add to the list. Definitely one of the best Bond films I have seen and hopefully the next one will be just as good, if not better! If not, well at least we got Skyfall which I am rating a 5/5.

What did you think of Skyfall? Do you like the latest take on Bond or do you prefer the classics? Please comment below.

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5 Films To Still Look Forward To In 2012

Well the summer of movies is over and what a summer it was! You may be feeling a bit down about the rest of the year and the films it has to offer, but don't fret we still have some pretty awesome stuff coming our way! These are the films I am excited about that are coming out this year in the UK. So Django Unchained will not be on here unfortunately.

5. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Some of you may be surprised this is not at the top of my list but unlike the other films, I know what to expect of this one. I expect it to be great, however I have been put off my the recent splitting of the story into three films. I feel like it's a bit of a money grabbing thing but Peter Jackson has denied this. Either way it's going to work because there is no way I'll be missing it.

 

4. Seven Psychopaths

If the hilarious trailer isn't anything to go by then the director Martin McDonagh 's previous film just might. In Bruges was a brilliantly funny film that was different to anything before it. That is why a lot of people are looking forward to what McDonagh does next, including myself.

 

3. Skyfall

A new James Bond is always a good thing, even if the last one was pretty bad. But things are looking better, especially for those who want a return to form, as Sam Mendes is on board as director and looks to be making an epic. Daniel Craig also says he feels better about and has signed on for more films which could see him becoming the actor to have played 007 the most! Bond and Mendes seems like a perfect match really!

 

2. Ruby Sparks

From the people who made Little Miss Sunshine what more can I say?

 

1. Looper

Bruce Willis playing Joseph Gordon-Levitt! Joseph Gordon-Levitt playing Bruce Willis! A time travelling sci-fi directed by Rian Johnson!

 

 

 

So do you agree with me? If you like you can post your top 5 in the comments below.

 

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An Amazing Looking Remake!?

No I am not a big fan of remakes. I find that Hollywood just can't come up with anything original anymore or Americans can not read subtitles. Don't get me wrong i would prefer to watch a film without subtitles but if it is a good foreign film then you should give it credit, subtitles or not. I am a big fan of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo book and its follow ups and I was a really big fan of the Swedish film (with subtitles!).

So when I heard that Hollywood were looking to remake it 'American Style' I wasn't too impressed! Most remakes have a pretty bad track record. But I got even angrier at Hollywood at the Oscars where the film (which they loved so much they are going to turn it into a remake) had no recognition or nominations at all! I was fuming! I can feel myself getting a bit angry now.

But the I hear that David Fincher, a legend in the directing world and one of personal favourites, is going to making it I felt much better!

But then the casting. Who could match Noomi Rapace's Lisbeth Salander!? I was secretly hoping she would work on the remakes as well but dreams don't always come true. Then Rooney Mara was cast. The girl from the terrible remake of The Nightmare on Elm Street! The girl who had a 5 minute role in The Social Network. I wasn't happy at all. Even when the pictures of her in character were released, I still wasn't convinced.

But there was a silver lining in the casting department! Daniel Craig was cast as Mikael Blomkvist! Which I think was perfect casting as he suits the role so well! So something to be happy about!

So next came the poster, which had some controversial nudity. But this made me a little bit happier as that meant that David Fincher was not going to hold out on some of the horrific themes that are portrayed in the book, something the Swedish film looked at well but not in much detail.

Then came the teaser trailer. The soundtrack was amazing. The editing was amazing. And it really got you buzzed 'The feel bad movie of Christmas'. LOVE IT!

Then came the full trailer. And it still looks amazing, and Rooney Mara took the role on head first and really looks like she has done a great job, which I was surprised. Daniel Craig also looked awesome, though I was a little confused as to why he had a no Swedish accent like the characters did? And dare I say it... I actually think this film looks better then the Swedish version!

And from the 8 minute extended trailer I just watched, this film definitely looks like it's going to be very true to the books!

I ma very excited about this film! And cannot wait for it to be released on Boxing Day! But unfortunately the film is most likely to be rated an 18, so I will have to wait until January before I will be able to see it. But as soon as I turn 18 I will run out of the house and catch the first bus to the cinema!