Skyfall is a 2012 spy film and the 23rd in the James Bond series produced by Eon Productions. The film is the third to star Daniel Craig as fictional MI6 agent James Bond and features Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva, the miscreant, and Judi Dench as M. It was directed by Sam Mendes and written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and John Logan and features the theme song “Skyfall”, composed and performed by Adele in the movie. It was theatrically circulated by Sony Pictures Releasing. The story focuses on Bond investigating an attack on MI6 that prompts a wider plot by former agent Raoul Silva to ruin and kill M as revenge for leaving him. It sees the arrival of two recurring characters after an absence of two movies: Q, played by Ben Whishaw, and Miss Moneypenny, played by Naomie Harris.
Skyfall debuted at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on 23 October 2012 and was released in the UK on 26 October and in North America on 9 November. It was the first-ever James Bond film to be screened in IMAX venues, even though it was not shot with IMAX cameras. The release coincided with the 50th anniversary of the series, which started with Dr No in 1962. Skyfall won several awards, including two Academy Awards, two BAFTA Awards, and two Grammy Awards.
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It got highly positive reviews from critics for Mendes’ direction, the performances (especially from Craig, Bardem, and Dench), action scenes, cinematography, and musical score. It was the 14th film to gross over $1 billion around the world, and the first James Bond film to do as such. It turned into the seventh-most-grossing film ever, the highest-grossing film in the UK, the highest-earning film in the whole series, the highest-grossing film overall for both Sony Pictures and MGM, and the second-most highest-grossing film of 2012.
Where Was Skyfall Filmed?
Thrilling action, beautiful Bond ladies and exotic filming locations are three things that all James Bond films are known for, and the film Skyfall is no exception. A few of its scenes were set in a stunning foreign location, as the film saw Daniel Craig’s James Bond travel the world battling terrible miscreants/villains.
Skyfall filming locations include multiple locations like Turkey, Japan, China, England and Scotland. Toward the start of Skyfall, we see Bond pursuing an agent through Eminonu Square in Istanbul Turkey. The pursuit goes on through the city of Adana which is near the border with Syria. Where Bond falls from the rail line viaduct is the Varda Bridge in Kiralan, Turkey. The senes of him at an oceanfront shack were on Koca Calis Beach, at Fethiye, a coastal town in the southwest of Turkey. M’s home in London is 82 Cadogan Square. In numerous car scenes, M passes Parliament Square in London. Mi6 headquarter can be visible near Vauxhall Bridge. The Mi6 training ground shots were filmed in the Old Vic Tunnels under Waterloo Station.
Bond’s hotel pool in Shanghai was filmed in The Virgin Active pool in London’s Canary Wharf. One more location which was supposed to look like Shanghai was Broadgate Tower which is in London’s main financial district. Several tube stations were featured while seen running after Silva, Temple Station, and Westminster tube station. The scene where Bond meets Q was shot at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square. The wonderful scenes of the route to Bonds’ childhood home were shot in Glen Etive, Scotland. Scenes of Bond driving the Aston martin were shot in the Highlands on the A82 close mountain Buachaille Etive Mor and Buachaille Etive Beag.
Why Skyfall Is Considered The Best James Bond Film?
The James Bond franchise has a long history including the most recent portion, No Time to Die. Yet, while fans have numerous opinions about the film, Skyfall seems to be broadly seen as the best film in the bunch. The third Daniel Craig outing was a massive hit and was praised for its more developed take on the franchise. Almost a decade after its release, Skyfall is still viewed by many as the best Bond film to date. Indeed, even presently, there are still components to Skyfall that dazzle while there are likewise other Bond films that have maybe been respected/ regarded more favourably over time. As a result, it is worth debating whether Skyfall stays the best James Bond film of all time.
Reasons why Skyfall is considered the best James Bond film:
- For Bond films it is always important to start with, a bang and Skyfall unquestionably delivers on that record. The action scene tosses the viewers right into the action as Bond. The scene is loaded up with tension and high stakes prompting an astonishing action set-piece onboard a train.
- One of the charms of Skyfall is how keeping up with that grounded feel while starting to bring back a portion of those nostalgic elements was capable. The characters of Moneypenny and Q were presented with suitable updating and the film even embraced gadgets that checked out. It demonstrated that films could be taken seriously without dumping the fun of past films.
- While M, the straightforward boss of Bond, has generally been a part of the series, the character began to establish a connection when Judi Dench took control over the role. She carries the role gracefully and brings authority to the perfect part of the film Skyfall.