James Bond Soars In Early 'Skyfall' Reviews
13 October 2012



James Bond is back and better than ever, according to early reviews on Friday, as the latest movie featuring Britain's smooth-talking, martini-drinking super-spy soared with critics and audiences after an advance screening in London.

Newspaper critics rushed to print and celebrities took to Twitter after seeing "Skyfall," with many calling it the best Bond film in the franchise's 50-year history.

Reviewer Robbie Collin at British newspaper The Telegraph said director Sam Mendes' Bond was comparable to Christopher Nolan's darker, grittier "Batman" from the "Dark Knight" franchise.

"Mendes is unafraid to let the quieter dramatic moments breathe ... and ace cinematographer Roger Deakins makes the wildly ambitious action sequences the most beautiful in Bond's 50-year career," Collin said.

Geoffrey McNab at the Independent gave "Skyfall" four out of five stars, criticizing the film for being "occasionally ... repetitive." But he praised Mendes for "throwing in far greater depth of characterization than we're accustomed to in a series of films that are often proudly superficial."

"Skyfall," the 23rd film in the Bond franchise, opens in UK theatres on October 26 and in the United States on November 9. It is Mendes' first time directing a Bond film. The British filmmaker won a best director Oscar in 2000 for "American Beauty."

The 22 Bond films have to date amassed $5.1 billion (3.1 billion pounds) at the worldwide box office according to The-Numbers.com, which tracks box office performances. The last film, 2008's "Quantum of Solace," grossed nearly $600 million globally.

"Skyfall," produced by privately held studio MGM, will be distributed in the UK by Sony Pictures Entertainment and in the United States by Columbia Pictures, both units of Sony Corp.

"Skyfall" sees actor Daniel Craig return as the suave agent, on a mission to bring down a dangerous villain, played by Javier Bardem. Judi Dench returns in the role of "M" along with co-stars Ralph Fiennes and Ben Whishaw, while Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe became the latest Bond girls.

Baz Bamigboye at the Daily Mail gave "Skyfall" five stars on Friday, calling it "pure classic 007 fare, back on firm footing after the less than memorable 'Quantum of Solace.'"

Reviewers on Twitter praised the explosive action scenes, Mendes' directing, Dench's darker portrayal of "M" and Bardem's turn at playing a Bond villain.

British GQ magazine tweeted: "Just seen #skyfall. Daniel Craig is magnificent - you will not be disappointed." The Times film critic Kate Muir tweeted that she gave "Skyfall" five stars, calling it "a return to classic form and a great British bulldog of a movie."

BBC Radio 1's film critic Rhianna Dhillon tweeted: "WOW! You have a massive treat in store for you! Don't want to review it on air in case I give anything away! It's just so good!"

British comedian Graham Norton, who hosts a TV talk show on BBC 1, tweeted: "Skyfall is perfection!!!!!"

http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/10/1 ... 0M20121013

Went to see Skyfall last night. It was darker and more down to earth, not so much "smooth ladykiller spy man".

I like the comparision with Dark Night rises, where also more human, realistic side of Batman is introduced.

I have to see it one more time to give Skyfall rating.

First impression was very good. first 1/3 was amazing. intro was astonishing.
Ending third was also good.

Maybe somewhere in between there was too little going on, or too much action in short period.

Must watch it again.

just got back.

bloody awesome film. it was so good that when the credits started rolling i just got up from my seat and fucking clapped.

i cant even see the fucking movie yet, so pissed, have to wait until the 22nd

meh...

good movie and i'm not even into james bond movies.

Skyfall Scoops Best Film and Blockbuster of the Year at Evening Standard Awards
5 February 2013



The James Bond adventure Skyfall triumphed at the Evening Standard film awards on Monday night, taking both the film of the year and blockbuster of the year prizes ahead of this weekend's Baftas.

Sam Mendes' film, a critical hit which has also been the most successful 007 outing at the box office, was the first Bond movie to be nominated for the best film prize at the awards. The blockbuster accolade follows Skyfall's success as the UK's highest grossing movie last year; the film took a staggering £102m, the highest total recorded for any film in Britain.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2013/feb ... ard-awards

for me is the worst Bond movie ever, ever, ever. i know that Bond is a super spy with all that gadgets and stuff. you will tell me that is Bond with another direction, but i don't buy it. i want all that Pierce Brosnan Bond superaction movie. That is James Bond for me.

Skyfall Beats The Dark Knight Rises to Become Seventh Biggest Film of All Time
7 February 2013

Skyfall continues to smash box office records overtaking The Dark Knight Rises to become the seventh biggest film of all time.



The latest James Bond adventure, which stars Daniel Craig as 007, is the most successful instalment of the franchise so far.

It has now taken $1,094billion at the worldwide box office making it the seventh-highest grossing movie ever.

This month’s Oscar ceremony will feature a celebration of James Bond, to mark the 50th anniversary of 007′s big-screen debut.

‘We are very happy to include a special sequence on our show saluting the Bond films on their 50th birthday,’ the show’s producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron said.

‘Starting with Dr No back in 1962, the 007 movies have become the longest-running motion picture franchise in history and a beloved global phenomenon.’

Adele is also set to make her live comeback at the Academy Awards on February 24, where she will be performing the Skyfall theme song.

The track is up for the Oscar for best original song.

http://metro.co.uk/2013/02/07/skyfall-b ... e-3397317/

Sam Mendes May Return For Bond 24
17 February 2013

He's Leaning Towards Directing It



Though Skyfall has been a massive success for the Bond franchise, it wasn’t a done deal that director Sam Mendes would return to oversee any follow-up. Indeed, Bond directors usually make one film then move on. But now it looks like Mendes is tempted to reunite with Daniel Craig for another shot.

It’s still nowhere near locked in – no contracts have been signed yet – but according to Baz Bamigboye (who was a reliable reporter on Skyfall’s development), Mendes is now 75% of the way towards accepting the job.

Apparently he’s been won over by producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson deciding not to go with John Logan’s idea of two linked films for Bond 24 and 25. It now appears that the two movies will stand alone. Since that means two films won’t be shot back to back, Mendes isn’t faced with giving up four years of his life to work on them.

Given the long lead time for Bond movies, the next film will likely be pushed into pre-production either late this year or early next, and we’d expect the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Naomi Harris and Ben Whishaw to all show up and join Craig on his next outing.

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=36520

agree

u guys just want easy entertaining. this movie gave us much more.

another M ?
with no offense, this time i'll say pass for Skyfall (i even deleted from my hard drive), whatever give us

ok, to say that the movie is bad.. nah

but what I miss is that overkill of absurd action James Bond used to have. For example Pierce Brosnan driving around in Moscow in a tank, destroying everything on his path and the only thing he worries about is his tie.. I miss that! it's like any other ordinary action flick which comes out these days.

Nothing against Daniel Craig but seeing him as James Bond still doesn't look good to me (even after 3 movies). But I must say that Skyfall is indeed the best so far with him as Bond.

Sam Mendes Won't Direct Bond 24
6 March 2013

Exclusive On 'A Very Difficult Decision'



Bond may be back, but Empire can exclusively reveal that Sam Mendes won't be joining him. At the BAFTAs recently, basking in the glow of Skyfall's triumph for Outstanding British Film, it seemed that Mendes, who had previously claimed he would make just the single Bond entry, could be tempted back for another go. But, having bumped into the Oscar-winning director on a barren Scottish glen - or was it a glitzy Macau casino? - he confided in us that he won't be returning to direct Bond 24.

“It has been a very difficult decision not to accept Michael and Barbara’s very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie," explained Mendes. "Directing Skyfall was one of the best experiences of my professional life, but I have theatre and other commitments, including productions of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and King Lear, that need my complete focus over the next year and beyond."

With Skyfall freshly crossing the $1.1bn mark at the box office and still hoovering up plaudits - it dominates the nominations at this year's Jameson Empire Awards - the news will no doubt be a blow to producers Broccoli and Wilson. Then again, with a freshly reinvigorated franchise to oversee and actors of the calibre of Daniel Craig, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Ralph Fiennes to work with, there'll be no shortage of high-calibre applicants to pick from for Bond 24.

If his gifted direction of dramatic beats came as no surprise to movie-watchers, Mendes' adroit handling of Bond's action sequences wowed fans and elevated Skyfall to critical and commercial echelons previously never enjoyed by a Bond movie. For his part, the 47 year old director refuses to rule out the possibility of a Martin Campbell-like return to the franchise in years to come. "I feel very honoured to have been part of the Bond family", said Mendes, "and very much hope I have a chance to work with them again sometime in the future".

A response from Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli has just reached us, and it more than leaves the door open to a Mendes return. "We thoroughly enjoyed working with Sam, he directed our most successful Bond movie ever, Skyfall. We would have loved to have made the next film with him but completely respect his decision to focus on other projects and hope to have the opportunity to collaborate with him again."

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=36712