Authored By: Michael Roth
The latest James Bond film, Skyfall, stars Daniel Craig as the suave, yet gritty MI6 agent. This is his third time playing the role and, in this reviewer’s opinion, his best. The film itself is far superior its predecessor, Quantum of Solace, due in large part to the return to more classic Bond themes. Specifically, Skyfall pays homage to earlier Bond staples in a clear, yet not overbearing, way.
The film begins, as many of its predecessors, with a chase scene followed shortly by a heavily stylized title sequence which hints at the themes which the movie will include. Just before the cut to the sequence, Bond has been fired upon, and appears to be dead. This is reminiscent of the fifth bond film, You Only Live Twice. We are not treated to the lovely “shot through a gun barrel” cliché, however. At least, not at the beginning. Throughout the entire movie, the best, most “oh man, this is great” parts are when reference is made to older bond films. One excellent example of this is when Bond takes M into a new car, the old Aston Martin DB5, and drives off along the road as the classic Bond theme begins to play.
The film begins, as many of its predecessors, with a chase scene followed shortly by a heavily stylized title sequence which hints at the themes which the movie will include. Just before the cut to the sequence, Bond has been fired upon, and appears to be dead. This is reminiscent of the fifth bond film, You Only Live Twice. We are not treated to the lovely “shot through a gun barrel” cliché, however. At least, not at the beginning. Throughout the entire movie, the best, most “oh man, this is great” parts are when reference is made to older bond films. One excellent example of this is when Bond takes M into a new car, the old Aston Martin DB5, and drives off along the road as the classic Bond theme begins to play.
Other moments make light of earlier motifs. For example, the new Quartermaster (Q) is showing Bond his new “gadgets,” and Bond remarks, “A gun… and a radio. Not exactly Christmas, is it?” to which Q responds, “Were you expecting an exploding pen? We don’t really go in for that anymore.” This makes reference to a specific gadget from the seventeenth Bond film, Goldeneye. In this film, Bond is given a pen which explodes when clicked three times in quick succession. Though the reference is specific, it applies to all of the old gadgets. By far the largest homage to the old films comes at the end of the movie. The M we have known for the past seven movies (and the first female M) has died, and Bond later goes to his MI6 office to receive a new mission. On his way in, he speaks with a character with whom we have gotten familiar with over the course of the film, but whose name we have never heard. Mentioning this, Bond is told that her name is Eve Moneypenny. Yes, that’s right, her name is Moneypenny, just like the Moneypennys from every bond film preceding Daniel Craig’s first appearance as Bond, Casino Royale. Following this revelation, he enters M’s office to find Gareth Mallory sitting in the office chair. Mallory says, “So, 007, much to be done. Are you ready to get back to work?” And, as the classic Bond theme slowly increases in volume, Bond responds: “With pleasure, M, with pleasure.” And as the trumpets sound, we are finally given a redone gun barrel sequence, paced the same as the old ones, with Daniel Craig standing in the middle. Finally, we are treated to one last homage: “JAMES BOND WILL RETURN,” a common motif used in the first twelve Bond films.
Without a doubt, Skyfall wins the award for best series of prior film references. Put that on top of an already excellent cast and plot, and you have an incredible film. Skyfall has excelled at this, and is an excellent movie well worth watching.
Without a doubt, Skyfall wins the award for best series of prior film references. Put that on top of an already excellent cast and plot, and you have an incredible film. Skyfall has excelled at this, and is an excellent movie well worth watching.