"Empire of Light"

 

To say that I had been looking forward to this film for some time would be an understatement. From the first time I saw the trailer on the big screen, I was hooked, and could not wait. Thanks to those lovely people at Cineworld, there was a preview screening.

The film is Directed by Sam Mendes, the Award winning Director of such greats as "Skyfall" and "1917", and as in both those cases, this latest film is shot by Oscar winner Roger Deakins. It is a multi stranded story, dealing with mental illness, racism, a beautiful love story, and the wonder of Cinema. Set at the start of the 1980's we are in Margate, at a local Cinema, where the day to day showing of the latest films takes place. The love story between Hilary (Olivia Colman) and Stephen (Micheal Ward) is beautifully told, and her fall back into depression and dealing with her mental illness is so real and brilliantly done. We also see Stephen having to endure racist abuse. It is a powerful film, very well shot by Deakins. There is a wonderfully understated score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross.       

Given the majority of the films location, there is an undeniable love to the Cinema, the big screen experience, and it is at the highpoint when projectionist Norman (Toby Jones) illuminates Stephen as to how the moving image is put on to the big screen. 

There has been much said of Cate Blanchett's performance in "Tár", and that she is nailed on to win the Best Lead Actress Oscar this year. Yes I have seen that performance, and whilst very good, it does not come close to the brilliance of Olivia Colman. The fact that she is not even nominated is a great crime. 

I have seen the film twice, so far. It has a compelling story, great performances, and if you love Cinema and the Big Screen, then there is no better film to see. 2023 gets off to the very best start....10 out of 10

"Spectre"

Was it really that much of a surprise that "Skyfall" became the Box office smash that it did?
The film showed that in a 50 year old franchise, there can still be surprises. The movie did far more than just tick all the boxes. It gave us a compelling, action packed, character driven drama, which went on to be a big Award Winner, and also being the first Bond film to go past the $1 billion mark, and is still the highest grossing film at the UK box office.

So it with little surprise that Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli (the latter I have had the great fortune to meet)  were keen to reunite the team that made "Skyfall" the huge success it has become.

I have now seen the film a second time, as I felt that after just one viewing, I was unable to do a full and comprehensive review. But now the jury has returned its verdict.....

The film opens in stunning style on the streets of Mexico, during the Day of the Dead festival. Bond complete with skull mask goes after his prey, a mysterious hoodlum called Sciarra. However this mission has not been sanctioned by MI6, so why is Bond going it alone to get Sciarra? He calmly walks the rooftops, as he settles in for the kill. His first attempt fails, and this leads to a dramatic chase which ends inside a helicopter. The cramped conditions give way to a tense fight to the death. Naturally Bond prevails and he has accomplished his mission and has the ring worn by Sciarra, which features an octopus as its design......

Back in London, Bond is in trouble for his one man mission, he finds himself suspended from duty. But it would seem that M is feeling the pressure as there is a new boy on the block, Max Denbigh, whose aim is to combine many of the Worlds Security networks, which would all go through London's new Security home, the Centre for National Security. Denbigh also sees the '00' programme as passed its prime, and is keen to retire it.
Despite being grounded, Bond manages to evade his Superiors and making his way across Europe, through Italy and Rome, and then heading to warmer Countries like Morocco. He is putting together the pieces of a puzzle, which start from his childhood, and the man who looked after him following the death of his parents.
Could it be that his past is beginning to haunt him?  What is this mysterious organisation known as SPECTRE?

Firstly, for any Bond fans, there is a lot that one can relate to from past films. In fact you could be forgiven for thinking that this was the film that was released during the franchises 50th anniversary. The carnival scenes in the opening - "Moonraker". A tense and rough fight on board a train - "From Russia With Love". A clinic above a mountain range - "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", and many more.
"Spectre" has sewn together all the strands that were spun from the first three Daniel Craig Bond films, all coming together under the Spectre organisation. As to who is behind, I could not say.

I had such high hopes for this new Bond film, especially given how much I love "Skyfall" and maybe that is part of the problem. Could any film ever be as good as Bond 23?
Although the premise for "Skyfall" was only revenge, it was so tense and brilliantly acted out, and the pace never slowed, even though it was not wall to wall action.
The same cannot be said for "Spectre" which does wander around quite a bit, seeming to take ages to get to the point. And then when we get there....what is it all for? It is all fine and dandy having a long film, there is just 5 minutes difference in running time between these last two Bond movies, but it felt at times that "Spectre" was dragging its heels.

A few quick moans. Composer Thomas Newman, who did such great work on "Skyfall", returns for "Spectre", and so does a fair amount of his previous score. I can only assume that he was having an off day when scoring this new movie, and so reused his previous tracks. I will say however that one piece that is reused was done so beautifully.
New henchman Hinx is just about two dimensional. A lot was mentioned about Monica Bellucci being the oldest Bond woman, and yet she is barely in the film. And as for Lea Seydoux, I am afraid she just looked pretty and that was about it.
If you are going to get a two time Oscar winner to play your Bond villain, then you give him a part worthy of his immense talent. This was brilliantly illustrated with Javier Bardem. So when you see that Christoph Waltz is playing Frans Oberhauser, you get really excited.....that is until you see the film. Like Dave Bautista as Hinx, I felt that Waltz did not reach his full potential. Anyone who has seen his work, especially his amazing performance in "Inglorious Basterds" will know what I mean.
There is an excellent finale, and I must mention how well Ralph Fiennes has settled into the role of 'M'. Dame Judi Dench would be a tough act to follow, but he is really excellent.

Overall it is a good Bond film, but not got the edge that both "Casino Royale" and especially "Skyfall" had......8 out of 10

"Skyfall"

After 50 years, and 22 movies, the legacy that is secret agent James Bond 007 looks like here is going to be with us for a good while longer, with the release of the 23rd film in the franchise, "Skyfall".

As many of you will know, this film looks at the relationship between Bond and 'M', and has to look at the consequences for the latter character as her past comes back to haunt her.
The film opens in great style with 007 trying to receive a hard drive which contains the names and aliases of agents working undercover in terrorist organisations. During the Op. Bond is shot at, and presumed dead.
Meanwhile, MI6 is under attack, and from someone very close to home. M is without her best agent, and sees her very future in jeopardy with the loss of the hard-drive. An early retirement is in the pipeline as Ministers are after her blood.
But it would seem that the reports of 007's dead are a little premature, and with a deadly attack on MI6 iteself, it sees Bond return to the UK and help 'M' with the investigation. What they uncover is a trail that leads 007 to Shanghai. He encounters the stunningly beautiful 'Severine', and Bond is keen to meet her employer. Bond is taken to a deserted island, and comes face to face with 'Silva' the mastermind behind the attack on MI6, the theft of the hard-drive, but more importantly, has a personal vendetta against 'M'.
Unfortunately for 'Silva' he soon finds himself back in the UK, and in the hands of the security services for the crimes that he has committed. There is a reckoning between he and 'M' and it becomes clear that 'Silva' is a former MI6 officer, and he was left to rot in the East when there was a trade off, and he blames 'M' for his incarceration, and subsequent torture. And has a score to settle. So alas nothing has gone to plan.....or has it?  Could it be that this is what he planned all along?

Whilst 'M' battles the bureaucrats, 'Silva' makes his escape from his cell. And wreaks havoc in London, especially on the Underground. 'Silva' makes his way to the Hearing that has 'M' in attendence, his plan is to end the life of the woman he blames for his misery.  There is an inpressive shoot-out, and things are still unresolved. Knowing that 'Silva' always seems to have the upper hand with his expertise in all things relating to the web, Bond decides to even the playing field. And sets things for the big finale, at a location that really does pay homage to the history of James Bond 007.

After the justified lukewarm reception that was received by "Quantum of Solace", it is wonderful to see that the Producers have pulled out all the stops to ensure that the film charged with celebrating the Golden anniversary of 007 has the very best talents involved.
Daniel Craig has settled brilliantly into the role of James Bond, silencing those critics when he was first announced. One does not doubt for a moment that here is a letahl killing machine, and man who will kill without a moments hesitation. But it is not all killing, he has also wonderfully displayed a sense of vulnerability that Bond needs, whether it is falling in love with 'Vesper Lynd' or the clearly evident love and respect he has for 'M', Bond is not all about death and destruction. The commitment that Craig has to the role can be no better be illustrated than by the physical element, especially when it comes to the many action scenes in the film. His involvement with the many stunts and action sequences is to be commended from the highest level. His performance as 'Bond' has grown over the past few years, and it is such a pleasure to see him on screen as 007, a role that has made him, for me, the best actor to play the role, since the film series began back in 1962.
What can once possibly say about Dame Judi Dench that has not already been said a thousand times over? She has made the role of 'M' her own. I doubt few thought it possible that anyone could surpass Bernard Lee as the much put upon head of the Double O section. But this truly amazing actress has taken a character that we sometimes only get a fleeting glimpse of, and made us fall in love with her, in the same way I guess that she has with James, or rather a deep affection that she has for him, and he very much has for her.
From the number cruncher we were first introduced to in "GoldenEye", to the beloved Section Head we have in "Skyfall", it is constantly a pleasure to see Dame Judi Dench on screen, and here with her biggest role to date, as her past comes back to wreak a terrible revenge.

Javier Bardem is one of the finest actors in Europe, even the world, and has of late carved quite the niche for himself playing villains. Who could forget his Oscar winning performance in "No Country For Old Men"?  So naturally he was the perfect choice to play 'Silva' a man hell bent on seeking recompence for his pain suffered whilst imprisoned, and blaming 'M' for his downfall. A blonde Bond and now we have a Blonde Bond Villain, well they do say that Blondes have more fun, and most certainly seem to do here. 'Silva' certainly does like to have fun with 007, judging from a rather close encounter. At times softly spoken, with more than a gleam in his eye, Bardem makes 'Silva' one of the most menancing Bond villains we have seen for some time. I know that long gone are the days when we have a villain who wants to take over the world, but 'Silva' is quite the piece of work, and the fact that his goal is a single individual, for me makes him even more dangerous. And like, Dench, it is a delight watching Bardem on screen in a quite brilliant performance. At times it is such a quiet, understated performance, chilling, and there is a moment when he does something that could rival 'Hannibal Lector'.
I could go on at length about the other cast members, but am aware of how long this review is already. Ben Wishaw makes a delightful debut as 'Q', the youthful adolescent, barely looking old enough to buy a lottery ticket, brings the character right up to date, especially with the Cyber threat affecting MI6, it takes a younger man with the knowledge of Computers to go into battle. I look forward to seeing more of him in the role in the next film.
Another actor who could well be returning is Ralph Fienes, who plays 'Mallory', an MI6 official. Naomie Harris and Berenice Mahlohe provide the glamour in the film, and two stunningly beautiful ladies they are too.Harris especially does shine as fellow agent 'Eve'.
And of course one could not discuss the cast without mentioning the legend that is Albert Finney. So wonderful to see him back on the big screen after a virtual retirement. (I am not counting his barely noticable appearance in "The Bourne Legacy"). As ever he is a delight to watch, providing the film with a touch of humour, and an all round lovely performance in the role he plays.

It was quite a surprise when Sam Mendes was announced as being given the Director's chair for this latest 007 movie. One would not normally associate him with this kind of film. He certainly has a knack for hiring the very best talent to work on his movies, but would he have the capability to take on the much tougher challenge of directing a James Bond film?  The answer is so obviously yes. A man with the immense of talent of Sam Mendes would certainly be upto to that challenge, but he has well and truly surpassed it, creating the best Bond film in 13 years, and possibly one that will stand the test of time as one of the very best Bond films ever.

The photography in Bond films of late, it would be fair to say, have come under attack, and quite rightly so. The creative team have tried too hard to compete with other action films, and it has made some scenes virtually unwatchable. I knew we would not have that problem with this film as Director Sam Mendes hires just the best Cinematographers in the business, which is why so many of his films are Oscar nominated for Cinematography. With "Skyfall" he has hired fellow Brit and 9 nine Oscar nominee Roger Deakins, one of the most respected DP's there is. And he does a most remarkable job. I cannot recall a Bond film that has been better shot, or looked more beautiful, or give the feeling that it has been shot with a passion. Such an excellent job has been done here.

Bond composer regular David Arnold is sadly missing from this new film, although Thomas Newman does a great job of writing the score. There are some classic Bond music moments in the movie, and I would have no objection to seeing Mr. Newman compose another 007 score in the future.
Daniel Kleinman is back working in the opening title sequence, and coupled with that is the beautifully haunting theme song from Adele, making the opening title sequence for "Skyfall", for me, the best in the last 50 years, and that is saying something.

I could go on for longer, but am keen to post this review. Just know that every box has been ticked, the acting, directing, photography, editing, costumes, music, action sequences, so much love and affection from every department is evident in this 23rd James Bond film.
I have seen the film three times so far, and hope to see it a few more yet. It really is that good, Bond films have rarely been as great as this. Believe the reviews, they do not lie. This is Bond at his very best.

As this is the year of the Bond's 50th, just a little thank you to Ian Fleming, Albert R. Broccoli, Harry Saltzman and Sean Connery......four men instrumental in this anniversary year we celebrate.

The Sky may fall, but Bond does not.......10 out of 10


HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JAMES BOND - 007