Skyfall

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Entertainment: +4

Content: -3

Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Raph Fiennes, Naomi Harris. Spy Action adventure. Directed by Sam Mendes.

FILM SYNOPSIS: M’s past comes back to haunt her, as a onetime operative has gone, “well, a little funny in the head,” and wants to extract vengeance against his former boss. But Bond, having come back from the dead, is loyal to the Dame, and to England, so when MI6 and M come under attack, 007 tracks down the threat.

PREVIEW REVIEW: Bond is brutal, a womanizer and a paid assassin with a penchant for cynical bon mots after a kill. What’s more, usually there is some sexual imagery associated with this character. So, if I say something positive about the production, it may cause some to feel that I’m promoting it. I maintain, however, that to do my job correctly; I have to be, if I may use a Fox Network expression, fair and balanced. I’ll tell you the bad and the good, and then you decide if you want to support it. Here goes.

Mr. Craig fits the role to a T. He’s buff and manly in appearance and able to portray brutal and witty like no one since Mr. Connery. Along with this satisfying casting, the script is a perfect blend of character defining, interesting plot, eye-popping stunts, and incredible locales (Shanghai and Macau are beautifully shot). Perhaps overly long, it is, nonetheless, one of the most entertaining films of the year.

Shaking and stirring us from time to time, the well-produced, well-photographed, well-acted Skyfall is a perfect movie cocktail. And though suspension of disbelief is needed by audience members, at least there are no invisible cars (Die Another Day).

Alas, you may find some of the content objectionable (please read the content section). For me, the misuse of Christ’s name, twice, bugged me. What’s wrong with movie folk? They can’t seem to make a movie without profaning God’s name or His Son’s.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor:
Sony Pictures Releasing

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: A couple of double entendres

Obscene Language: Five or six obscenities – the s-word- and a couple of minor expletives.

Profanity: Two misuses of Christ’s name, one from Dame Judi – my favorite actress, but she may want to rethink the profaning of our Savior’s name.

Violence: While played comic book-like from stem to stern, it’s filled with of violent imagery, from shootings to stabbings to explosions to brutal martial arts battles; those killed are merely pawns in the production, with only one character dying who we are allowed to care about. Some blood.

Sex: Two sexual situations, but brief, with no nudity.

Nudity: None

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: None

Drugs: Just the occasional shaken martini.

Other: None

Running Time: 143 minutes
Intended Audience: Older teens and up.


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