Sunday, November 11, 2012

Skyfall: Homage to the Bond classics

This weekend I saw the latest addition to the Bond legacy, Skyfall.  This film was able to appeal to the current generation's "action movie go-er" while still paying homage to the classic Bond spy movies.  Regardless of the movies attempt to have a more realistic plot/take than some of the old Bond movies the director took special care to not over step his bounds and preserving many aspects of the older films.

First off James Bond/ Agent 007 kept his name as did "Mom" and eventually Agent Moneypenny, along with several other characters. The preservation of names, regardless of how silly they seem now, directly points out the commitment to maintaining the tradition of "Bond."

Throughout the movie old plot points from previous Bond films were brought up such as exploding pens and ejector seats.  These moments of brief dialogue were directly for those who knew the old movies and allows the audience into the mind of the writer/director of the film saying, "No this is not a remake of the old Bond movies but instead another chapter in the legacy." Such comments pass right over the heads of people who don't know the movies, but add another dimension to those who have been following Bond from the beginning.

The film even went as far as to reintroduce the spy car the original James Bond used in the past films.
Recognition of the creators of Skyfall to address the fact that the film industry has changed and that the plots of action films today differ from those in the past allow them to change the story/character accordingly to still preserve Bond as an admirable, suave, and all around "cool"character.  The idea of an exploding pen would be better suited for a comedy than a serious action film is the perfect example of this.  However the fact that Skyfall incorporated and worked so hard to bring back elements of the old movies in the best way they could added an entirely new dimension to the film.  In my opinion the new Skyfall movie did the Bond series justice and through its homages to the classics of the past appeased many fans who may have been apprehensive about re-igniting the Bond legacy and tradition.

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2 comments:

  1. ckeefauverNovember 19, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    the homage elements were terrific. when i was a boy, my father introduced me to the connery films and we enjoyed them together. best of all was that i saw skyfall with my 21 year old daughter whom i had introduced to the connery films. we both applauded when we saw the car and the ejector seat button. and the return of moneypenny was a welcome moment.

    PS: the movie stands on its own apart from these elements. a very engaging and entertaining film.

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  2. ckeefauverNovember 19, 2012 at 11:31 AM

    i really enjoyed the throwback elements. when i was a boy, my father introduced me to the sean connery films and the car, the ejector seat and the new moneypenny were a real treat. best of all was that i saw skyfall with my 21 year old daughter whom i had introduced to the connery films and she loved the homage, as well. it was a real treat to share the moments with her.

    PS: the movie stands on it's own even without these elements. it's an exciting and entertaining film.

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