Skyfall

OK, after rewatching I wanna say something profound but I've never really properly reviewed a film and I don't take it very seriously, so just see this more as my stream of consciousness Skyfall is quintessentially Bond, and yet, it's so far removed from the rest of the franchise. This films opts to give James some deeper backstory and flesh out characters and relationships - namely, M. The entirety of Skyfall brushes off the norm of Bond girls in order to focus on her, and we get a further sense of connection between Bond and M. The stakes are heightened, because it's personal. The best part about this is, whether you've seen Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace does not matter. This movie is executed in such a way where it's easy to engage with Bond and M's relationship, though I would still recommend watching the previous films, because having that buildup has more of a payoff. The whole movie has themes of "just doing your job" and feeling betrayed, where you have to decide between risking a life or risking your integrity. M chooses time and time again to risk the lives of her agents, but this is because she believes in them, and believes they will come out on the other side - especially Bond. This is why their scene together in M's house is so important. She outright says that this is how the job works, he should know this by now and learn to sever his emotional responses a little bit (which is a constant problem for him throughout the entire films, but that's a topic for another day). Another key relationship we are presented with, in which the chemistry is just so on point, is Bond and Silva. Silva is another victim of the "just doing your job" thing, but unlike Bond, Silva can't accept that that's the way it is. Silva empathises with James, trying to build a bond (sorry) and cast a light to what he feels is betrayal - Silva instead only casts a light to how much trust M has in James. The reason Silva is such a good villain is because, yes, it is personal, but he also still feels caring of M. Silva is almost a reflection of what could have been James, if James were to turn his back on those he cares for. It's interesting thinking about what would've happened had these two actually teamed up and seen eye to eye. Anyway, the first half of Skyfall is, of course, a spy film, like we were all expecting - but the second half drops the usual spy action in order to incorporate some loudness, dropping its subtlety and instead laying some dynamite foundations. This is why it's so individual and standalone, because you wouldn't want every Bond film to end up resulting in a more typical action climax, but it really does work in this one movie that they decided to try it with. Another thing that adds to this movie is that so much of it is set in the UK. We're used to seeing James wind up some poor Africans or bothering some dude in Greece, but now they're all coming to him. No element of surprise, he's instead having to play the defence, and we get a good look at how this impacts modern day civilians and as such a more political insight. In context of the other Daniel Craig films, while I'm glad Skyfall happened, I think trying to recreate its magic would absolutely be the wrong move. Nothing will live up to it, but also, it's so different to the rest of the films that trying to stick with its formula would just not work. This film perfectly demonstrates a different kind of James Bond to one we're used to. The man cries, god forbid. He has feelings. He can pretend he doesn't, and keep playing at his occupation, but he's really only in it to look after those he cares about, because he feels an obligation to. Instead of being the psychopath you see in the 60s, the kind of Bond who kills people and enjoys it, or a "blunt instrument", he's just a little guy who keeps looking for a way out of this hectic life, letting himself get dragged back in at any sign that someone he cares about might need aid. I'd probably put it down to the whole dead parents thing. Also no other James Bond has a scene as homoerotic as this so I think Skyfall wins any contest (except Casino Royale if you're into that kinda thing)