Even before its premiere on Nov 23, Bond series had confirmed Daniel Craig for 2 more series. Counting the usual 2 years break in between or maybe more, we can expect to watch Daniel Craig as James Bond when he’s 50. Does he have what it takes to be James Bond? Here is my review for Skyfall. I can’t help but falling in love with the man whose boredom and depression had made him chose murder as an employment.

Bond and the Exotic Cities (or lack of thereof….)

Every part of EON production for the past 50 years had never failed to deliver most exotic cities. For those who had just jumped into the  series, it might be the attraction for watching the English bulldog espionage series. But after a few years, I got sick of guessing how many miles Mr. Bond has in his frequent flyer membership after all the excessive travelling. Skyfall boldly said goodbye to tense fighting scenes in Bratislava, Port Au Price, La Paz and many more. Instead, it brought back all the action to home, London, where it all started. I don’t deny what a movie is supposed to do, realizing all fantasy which most of the time stuck in our mind. What else could be possibly more alluring than an escapade with gorgeous babe at the untouched crystal blue beach away from prowling tourists or a thrilling spy games at the most dangerous part of the world? So, has Sam Mendes gone ballistic by choosing the dreary London of which best attraction is Kate Middleton? Oh I meant the Duchess of Cambridge. Nah! That’s so not true. At the very heart of MI6, we are reminded that its mission is to defend the nation and its people. So, where else we could feel the MI6 agents’ most devoted patriotic action in their duties to uphold freedom from a villainous cyber terrorist. There is only one obvious choice, LONDON where it all began; where it doesn’t only stand as MI6’s headquarter instead it is the cornerstone of why MI6 exists. Well… If you are not a fan of London, don’t be discouraged. Skyfall also featured few exotic cities such as Istanbul, Shanghai and Macau. Just take it you will get the best of both worlds. 

Bond and Gadgets (or lack of thereof … Again?!?)

Did Mendes try to strip Bond bare naked? I almost though so. Interestingly, I found solace in going back to the classics.  I like that Skyfall has the decency to ditch all superfluous fast cars and gadgets which sometimes made Bond movies too unbearable to watch. Those who watched X-Ray glasses in The World is not Enough, you do know what I meant. I, as a lady, certainly do not approve this gadget from ever being manufactured! If Mr. Bond wants to see ladies’ undies, for goodness sake, just ask. We will gladly oblige. *wink* Skyfall only introduced the barely minimally palm print gun which can only be operated by Bond and Bond alone. In the fighting climax scene, Bond were reduced to ancient hunting rifles and two aging grandpa and grandma, Bond’s family gamekeeper and Madam M respectively. So how could they make it? Don’t underestimate Madam M. She was not good with guns, but she was pretty handy with the homemade dynamite booby traps. Aided by many old mirrors, Kincade the gamekeeper, was not too shabby in exhibiting his shooting skills. At least, the trio managed to wipe out the first batch of intrusion. Of  ourse, we should leave the main course to James Bond who finished off with massive explosion merely by household gas canisters and a knife. When all else failed, we were back to basic, relying on Bond skills and brute force spiced with smart intuition. He knew where Silva would stop just by reading the map of the tube. He knew where Silva went to just by looking at the slightly ajar door. I have a little problem though. I still didn’t get it how he managed to get out of the ice lake.

What’s the best is of course Aston Martin DB5. So much for being inconspicuous! This baby had been around since Goldfinger in 1964, making it the lucky seventh appearances in James Bond series. We presumed this was exactly the same car which Bond won in Casino Royale. Now we know, the crisis has hit MI6. Bond recycled his goods!!!

Bond and Aging

Who can defy time? Certainly, James Bond and M can’t escape from time and its nature. Throughout my grown up years while watching James Bond, I kept wandering when James Bond or M would retire? As the movie was resurrected in Casino Royale, I was even more confused that they couldn’t do anything to reverse Judi Dench’s aging though the movie was supposedly a prequel. Skyfall made the perfect stage for the Dame’s last bow. M did quite a lot of action. There was no more blank cool face showing she was in control of anything. In Skyfall, M was only left with her pride and dignity to finish off her job despite the pressures of forced retirement. As M was paired with Kincade, I can’t help but pitying the old granny who way passed her retirement age. She deserved a good rest and thank goodness Skyfall gave it all to her with grace.

Let’s not account Daniel Craig’s age (he is 44 btw…) But don’t you think James bond had been in the field for ages. Doesn’t he get old which means slower and weaker? Skyfall answered my questions. After ‘betrayed’ by M and killed by his colleagues when M pulled the trigger, Bond helplessly inebriated with alcohol. Though he chose to be patriotic when MI6 HQ was bombed, he failed his physical and psychology tests. Lucky for Bond, M still had the power to say yes or no for a ‘new’ recruit. Whether she believed in Bond or she had no choice but to deploy Bond, M decided to turn a blind eye and accepted Bond back to field duty. As Bond failed his test, we were all reminded that Bond is only a man (a hot blooded one). He can fail, be killed, depressed and etc. With all his vulnerability, I found myself cheering for his success. I worried about Bond’s mission. I worried he wouldn’t be able to accomplish his mission especially when everyone around him keep saying, I can’t discern if it was really well wishes or hidden sarcasm