Skyfall

I don't go very often to cinema these days and there are a number of movies I was curious about, even interested, which I didn't see on the big screen. I don't know why exactly. But now I got really enthusiastic about Skyfall, the next James Bond movie. As my long time readership knows, I am a big fan of James Bond, both in movies (especially the early ones) and the original novels. I try to read one every year, this year it is going to be The Spy Who Loved Me, which Ian Fleming didn't like. But I am curious about it: the Bond girl character is from Québec. Since the story is set in winter, it will be my Christmas reading treat. Oh and don't you like the book cover? Very stylish!

I was becoming blasé with the movies until Casino Royale in 2006 and the way Craig played the role. I became enthusiastic again. Now I didn't find Quantum of Solace nearly as good, but I still enjoyed it and found the plot quite inventive. I also thought the casting was flawless. In any case, it was still a solid, intelligent movie. Now I am skeptical about some elements of Skyfall, but I am reasonably confident. I have mixed feelings about Sam Mendes as a director (American Beauty is maybe the most overrated movie I ever saw, but I really enjoyed Revolution Road and Road to Perdition). I don't like the idea of a young Q (why?), the fact that one Bond girl has to be yet another spy (why not a damsel in distress? or simply, like Sylvia Trench, someone oblivious to the world of espionnage?) and I am bit concerned that they go back to the heavy gadgetry (not necessary). That said, I love the casting, albeit it is made of more famous people than the previous two films. And I love the title. Skyfall. It sounds like something from Ian Fleming. It is sharp, ominous, it feels like danger. Just for it, I cannot wait.