Skyfall Review

Go see it. I did. Don't you want to be just like me, kids?

I hear instagram does fx like this. Too bad I already have Photoshop, you twittering biatches!

If you loved Casino Royale, you will love Skyfall. From the kaleidoscopic opening credits to the panoramic vistas to the artful framing of the action shots and close ups, this is a beautiful movie.

Beautiful may not be a term you normally associate with the Bond franchise. (Besides the Girls). But this film is a cinematic achievement, at turns breathtaking, gloomy, inviting, and dazzling. And for some of us, we should recall that's what Bond films used to be about: exotic locations, beautiful people, beautiful sets. In short, a recreation of Fleming's lush and snobby sensualism. A chance to see the incredible.

So many films these days rely on images of the future, faux worlds, manipulated pixels, that it's easy to forget how compelling planet Earth can be. And it's not just the rooting in the almost-real world of Bond that's a throwback. The film is rife with nostalgia and nods to the 50 years of franchise. It's a strange tone choice for Craig's third outing, but in the context of the larger Bond universe it makes sense. This may go down as one of the best of the series.

Considering the director is Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Jarhead) it's not surprising that the film is so damn good and pretty to look at. And it is stunning. There are too many to list, but I can still see the aerial shots of Shanghai--never has a modern city looked more beautiful. There's an amazing fight sequence done in silhouette with eerie, beautiful ghostly images in the background. Even London is shot with love, each take lingering just a bit to let us soak in the venerable lady.

Casino Royale sold me with its opening parkour scene. I never thought that would be repeated, but Skyfall did it again with an extended chase scene that will convince you MI-6 employees can't possilby be paid decent enough salaries. My mouth was literally hanging open for the duration of that scene.

But a hero can only be as good as his villian, right? Well Javier "Method Hair" Bardem is crazier than a bag of cats and twice as fun. The man even uses his freaking nostrils to act. Act KA-RAY-ZEE. So great, so incredibly great.

Side note: Daniel Craig wears the hell out his suits, even more so than usual. For those interested, Tom Ford dressed him. God bless Tom Ford, y'all. For real.

So, Skyfall. Maybe I was just primed to see a Bond film. Or maybe it's just that damn good.

Post dedicated to Shik. Hope the sacrificed length is made up for with instant gratification.