Neil Jackson

Sizzling with intrigue and brilliance. Probably the best show on TV at present. I'm not sure why some are saying it is slow. After all, this is not some thick-idiot-approved action movie of the kind that might star Schwarzenegger, etc. This is a story for those that like character development, back story, intrigue, drama and so on. This is a story that builds and grows and establishes rapport with its audience. It is also great to see a production where some thought has been given to the use of international accents rather than assuming that the whole universe speaks with some dull American drawl! I absolutely love it - it comes as such a relief to the ridiculous failure that is She-Hulk - surely the poorest show that Disney Marvel has ever released!

As Bond movies go, I would say that this should rate at a similar level to License to Kill - and that one was the lowest earning Bond movie of all time! Both are poor, though at least License to Kill never had the excessive hype that was associated with Skyfall.One of the only redeeming features of both movies is that both were accompanied by good themes songs from top singers! It is completely ridiculous that this movie is so highly rated - far too many people were drawn in by the hype and their love of Adele who sung the theme song. So, why do I claim that it is so bad? (NB Some spoilers incoming though I will keep them limited!) Well, firstly there is the weak storyline - an ex-secret agent seeks to exact revenge on M for abandoning him for dead in years gone past and Bond attempts to stop him. On a whim Bond decides to use M to lure the villain to his childhood home only to discover they forgot to bring any weapons to defend themselves. Yet despite such meagre fare (and a lack of significant Bond-girl activity) the whole things still manages to last over two hours! Secondly, there is a rubbish villain. While he does set up some potentially challenging situations, when it comes to the crunch he doesn't really do much! In fact he is a complete flop of a villain and I was just left surprised that he lasted as long as he did! Thirdly, there is the combination of Daniel Craig and Brian Singer, the director. I don't know whether it is just Daniel Craig's lack of ability to act or whether it is Brian Singer's inability to direct him well, but as with all previous Daniel Craig movies dialogue between him and others in the movie always seems incredibly stilted. I've always blamed Daniel Craig, but having recently seen the far superior 'No Time To Die' I think a large part of the blame must go to Singer. Finally, there is aforementioned lack of any real development of any relationship with a Bond girl that will in any way serve the storyline. Instead, we seem to be back to the misogynist storyline days of a weak-willed Bond girl - except this one dies well before the story is at an end - ironically leaving Bond with no textbook Bond-style ending to the tale. Bond doesn't save the girl, Bond doesn't have an evil girl to confront, Bond doesn't get the nice girl at the end. All we have is a slightly fun conversation with Bond's co-agent to discover that she will from here on forwards be the new Miss Moneypenny. So, are there no redeeming features to the movie? Well, as it happens, yes there are.. I think the movie actually starts quite well and the chase on motorcycles - especially across rooftops is great. The introduction of a new Q is actually done well. It would have been a huge challenge to try to compete with what has come before, so to play this down was a great touch and the new guy did well, establishing himself with quiet, subtle brillaince. I also quite liked the introduction of Naomie Harris as the new Moneypenny and the previously mentioned scene in which her identity is confirmed was actually very well handled. It setes her character up well for future movies and redefines her as a modern woman instead of the stuffy, desparate office assistant of the older movies. Finally, the use of references to older movies in recognition that this is the 50th anniversary Bond movie was also great. Sadly, those aspects are not the things on which real movie-greatness is founded and so I can only offer a mere two stars to what for me was the third in a chain of disappointing Daniel Craig Bond movies.