This is a teaser in the best sense of the word, sharing absolutely no real plot details and barely intruding any major characters. All you need to know is that Daniel Craig and Judy Dench are back in their respective roles and that something called 'skyfall' is the cause of some genuine trouble. The film looks lush and colorful with a handful of scenes suggesting not just Bond attempting to prevent a cataclysm but dealing with the aftermath of one. The footage suggests an intimacy that befits the Craig 007 pictures with a slightly larger scope this time around. As someone who loved Casino Royale and damn-well liked Quantum of Solace, I hope they haven't altered the formula too much in response to the latter film's inexplicable critical rejection. I know I say this a lot, but part of me hopes that Sony has the guts to let this stand as the primary marketing tool for the picture, without the need to release a 150-second plot-centric trailer sometime in August. Still, this looks like both a solid James Bond picture and a declarative 'up yours' to The Bourne Legacy. Skyfall drops on November 9th in America in 35mm and IMAX. As always, we'll see.
Scott Mendelson
Scott Mendelson
