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Corey Kopchak Mr. Newman English: Rhetoric 101 October 11, 2013 The Names Bond, James Bond The James Bond films have revolutionized the film industry for more than 50 years. Kids dream about cars that could turn into planes and submarines, exploding pens, and a license to kill. All of this is inspired by James Bond. Sadly, many of the recent Bond movies have struggled. Many critics believed the series was nearing it close, but then the sky fell. Roger Ebert and Richard Corliss believe Skyfall is possibly the best Bond film ever because of the acting, but Corliss also uses outside references to support this statement. Both Roger Ebert and Richard Corliss believe this is possibly the best Bond film ever. Roger Ebert starts by saying all of his expectations were blown away by this film. Many of the previous Bond films build off of the previous films and can be confusing if viewed out of sequence, but both Ebert and Corliss agree that Skyfall would make sense as the only movie in the series. Corliss even says, one could call this the Best Bond Ever and not mean it as the highest praise. Corliss as well as Ebert believes that Skyfall saved the James Bond series that appeared to be running out of gas. Corliss describes the Film as an old dog with new tricks. Bond is presumed dead in the beginning of the film and his return shows his age as he fails all of the double oh tests. This is symbolism for what this movie represents for the franchise. Corliss draws connections with Daniel Craigs Bond to Sean Connerys, the first James Bond. Both Ebert and Corliss also say it was exciting to see the Aston martin DB5, the original Bond Car.

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Ebert urges people that have been away from the series to come back and see this Bond film. Both critics also believed the plot asked questions that no one had ever before asked, of James Bond. They felt this added another dimension to the film. Ebert and Corliss both credit a majority of the success to the acting. Daniel Craig plays James bond for the third time, and Ebert says Craig may be growing on him. Corliss Describes Craigs bond as introducing a, brute, curt tone to the spy: no suave dandy, he was Her Majestys most efficient thug they both enjoyed Craig in this film and believe he has begun to return the series to its original glory with Connerys Bond. Both reviewers also agree that Judi Dench, M, is one of the best actors of her generation. Dench played M in the last 12 James Bond films and had never previously had a major role in the film. Both reviewers said that they knew this would be different when she ordered a kill shot with 007 in the way. They both explain that this bond film at last provides a role worthy of Dench. The quality of acting is raised further by its villain. Continuing, Ebert says a bond film can be judged by the quality of its villain. In Skyfall, Javier Bardem plays a psychopathic, sociopath named Silva who can do anything with a computer. Silva is an ex MI6 agent, the agency James Bond works for who has built up an extreme hatred for M because she left him to die. Both Ebert and Corliss compare Bardems madness to that of Hannibal Lecter, the psychopathic serial killer. Corliss even says this performance is possibly better than Bardens performance in No Country for Old Men, for which he won an Oscar. Corliss and Ebert both stress that the psychopathic nature of Bardems character inspires awe in the viewer. Both Roger Ebert and Richard Corliss say this was an excellent movie, but Corliss uses outside analogies to explain the magnificence of the film. Corliss explains the somewhat

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complicated relationship between M and James bond by comparing the relationship to that of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles. Corliss uses this to explain that M is like a mother to Bond and this relationship drives bond throughout the movie. Corliss also mentions that the story of Bonds troubled child hood, the death of his parents and life in an orphanage, was dreamt up using more than just the Ian Fleming novels. The writers undoubtedly took notes from the Marvel superhero who do their job to exercise demons from their past. This outside information helps Corliss better develop the plot, and is left out by Roger Ebert. As someone who has seen all 23 James Bond movies, I can say, without a doubt, this is the best in the series. The story toys with ones emotions and shows Bonds true colors. It makes bond appear mortal which can be difficult concept because he has been in the field for over 50 years. The convoluted rage of Silva is awesome to see and makes his demise even sweeter. I could not have agreed more with Roger Ebert and Richard Corliss. They said this is possibly the best film ever especially because of the acting. Corliss uses some real life examples to support his view, but he still agrees with Roger Ebert that this film revived the series and people who have been away from the series should come back to see Skyfall.

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Works Cited Corliss, Richard. "Skyfall: Bond and Bardem Go Boom For Its Golden Anniversary, the Old Franchise Gets Spiffy and Serious." Rev. of Skyfall. Time Magazine 9 Nov. 2012: n. pag. Time.com. Time Magazine, 9 Nov. 2012. Web. 16 Oct. 2013. Ebert, Roger. "Skyfall." Rev. of Skyfall. Chicago Sun Times [Chicago] 7 Nov. 2012: n. pag. Rogerebert.com. 7 Nov. 2012. Web. 16 Oct. 2013.