- During the parkour chase scene in Madagascar, the bomb-maker conveniently runs out of bullets at the EXACT moment he gets a clear shot at Bond.
- The same bomb maker, when presented with an opportunity to kill Bond by kicking his hand off the railing that he’s hanging on to, conveniently and stupidly decides to run away instead.
- In the embassy in Madagascar, the shooters luckily miss EVERY SINGLE SHOT that they take at Bond.
- At the hotel in Bahamas, why does ONE parking lot accident cause ALL the guards in the camera room to leave their seats? Moreover, how did Bond know that this would happen? What if one security guard decided to stay back? What was Bond’s contingency plan?
- After Alex gets a drop on Bond (in the human body exhibition), Bond luckily manages to kill him with just enough time to spot Carlos exiting the venue.
The Miami Airport Scene - The launch of the Skyfleet prototype, AND the take-off and landing of other flights, continues as per schedule despite-:
- The fire alarm of the airport going off.
- Reports of a bombing and terrorist activity taking place (because presumably, MI6 would’ve informed the airport about the same).
- It’s clear that setting off the fire alarm of the airport was a pre-planned step by Carlos (as it helped him procure a gun and a police car).But, how could Carlos have predicted that the launch of the Skyfleet prototype wouldn’t be delayed after reports of a fire and the arrival of the police ?
- During his struggle with Carlos, Bond LUCKILY happens to notice the bomb attached under the truck.
- Bond is able to stop the truck from colliding with the Skyfleet prototype with just seconds of margin.
- Obanno and his bodyguard come out of Le Chiffre’s room (after threatening him) JUST SECONDS BEFORE Bond and Vesper can leave the hallway via the stairs.
- When Obanno’s bodyguard shoots at Bond after noticing the suspicious earpiece in his ear, he conveniently misses his shot.
- Bond realizes that Mathis has conspired with Le Chiffre JUST A FEW SECONDS after Vesper has already left. Also, it’s never explained why Bond didn’t immediately realize that something is up at the exact moment he got to know that Le Chiffre is aware of Bond's knowledge about the “tell”.
- Bond’s realization about Vesper’s betrayal conveniently happens JUST MINUTES after Vesper leaves to withdraw the money.
- On his way to save Vesper, Bond luckily survives a very brutal car crash. Also, didn't Le Chiffre want Bond alive to interrogate him about the password? Then why did he set such a trap where Bond could actually die?
- As Vesper is escaping with the money, Bond is luckily able to spot her amid a crowd of hundreds.
- During the climax, Mr.White’s henchmen luckily miss EVERY SINGLE SHOT that they take at Bond.
THE POSITIVES-: - The black and white opening scene is by far my favorite of all Bond openings (of those which i have seen, that is). It tells a complete and satisfying story of Bond earning his "00" status, while also leaving the viewer craving for more, thanks to its tense atmosphere, gritty and brutal action scene, and minimal yet witty, efficient dialogues. Capped off with an immensely satisfying shot of the classic "gun barrel" image, this opening, with flying colors, fulfills its purpose - establishing the tone of the film and preparing the audience for what's about to follow.
- The opening is then followed by one of my favorite "Bond songs" - 'You know my name' by Chris Cornell. The song has just the right amounts of energy, a sense of foreboding, and charisma. The animation here also compliments the song really well.
- The performances by Daniel Craig, Eva Green, and Mads Mikkelsen were all really good.
- Thanks to the well-choreographed action sequences, the fights in the movie felt like they carried weight, which added a lot of realism and gravitas - components which were otherwise only rarely present in the Bond franchise.
- The dialogues of the film were also very efficient in achieving their goal. For instance, the very first conversation between Bond and Vesper sets up a lot of aspects about the two characters, without wasting much time. Vesper is established as a headstrong woman who's intellectually equal to Bond, but also as someone with a chip on her shoulder. This scene also gives us a glimpse of Bond's "Womanizer" side, as he's witty and flirtatious with Vesper without hiding any ulterior motives. The script maintains this quality all the way to the final scene, which includes one of the best incorporations of the line "Bond, James Bond".
- Despite being one the longest James Bond movies, the film never felt boring or repetitive. Almost every scene was given just the right amount of time to breathe and settle.
- The characters of the film weren't "complex", but thanks to their motivations being written in a very clear and logical manner, they fit into the script well and didn't overstay their welcome. Whether it be Vesper, a femme fatale with much more layers than she lets on, or the character of Bond, who's clearly more emotionally detached and more "serious" compared to previous Bonds, but still exudes his own sense of charm and style (evident from ANY interaction between him and Vesper). Although he is good at his job, since he is relatively new at being 007, he tends to make a mess and sometimes lets his ego / overconfidence get the better of him. He has skill, but lacks considerable experience. As a result, he chooses to be vulnerable with Vesper and lets his walls down for her. But, when a betrayal and heartbreak hardens him up, he doesn't hesitate to put on a tough exterior in front of M, by calling the very girl he was ready to spend his life with, a "bitch". As this film would narratively be the "origin story" of James Bond, it amply explains why he would go on to have a hard time trusting people or forming meaningful connections with them. So, while the film functions really well on its own, this extra detail significantly enhances the viewing experience for long-time fans like myself.
RATING : 7/10 |
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