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Title Track: SF
Title Credits: SF
Main Villain: SF
Main Bond Girl: SF
Henchman: SP
Overall Plot: SF
Dialogue: SF
Score: SF
Settings: SF
Action: SF
Humour: SF
Cinematography: SF
Benign Bizarre: SF
Suspense: SF
Minor Characters: SF
Glamour: SF
Bond Performance: SF
Skyfall: 17
Spectre: 1
Title Track: Skyfall (Adele's theme is powerful, has presence, a wonderful tone and the weaving in of the Bond theme gives me chills.)
Title Credits: Skyfall (a work of art. Especially married to the title track and the lead in from the PTS )
Main Villain: Skyfall (Silva is compelling and Bardem great fun in the role. His warped playfulness with Bond is a delight.)
Main Bond Girl: Spectre (I guess by default. Skyfall doesn't have one - Severine is a minor character for me.)
Henchman: Spectre (Hinx is great. Patrice is anonymous by comparison)
Overall Plot: Skyfall (aside from the implausibility of Silva's plan - I think it holds more appeal to me than Spectre - the two biggest problems with Spectre is the handling of Blofeld and his plan.)
Dialogue: Skyfall - (the word association game is good. I like the introduction scene with Severine and all of Bond and Silva's interaction.)
Score: Skyfall - (Newman vs Newman - this is a battle I need to reinvestigate to do it justice. But my instinct is Skyfall. Although I do like The Day of Dead music in the PTS of SP).
Settings: Spectre (I think Skyfall phones this one in a little. But the use of Britain feels much more natural in Skyfall because the thematically the film concerns Britain. Still - I like the globe trotting of Spectre.)
Action: Skyfall (I think Deakins' shooting style adds a lot to the capturing of the action. I also think it has an urgency which is lost in SP - bar the Hinx fight and PTS.)
Humour: Spectre (Skyfall doesn't have an awful lot of it other than Silva's twisted humour. I liked SP's humour - and I think Craig is more comfortable delivering the one-liners in SP than SF)
Cinematography: Skyfall (Deakins - end of.)
Benign Bizarre: Skyfall (Silva's disfigurement and Mummy issues.)
Suspense: Skyfall (Ultimately this is where SF has it all over SP. SF's narrative, while at times implausible, has more suspense and more mystery tied into it. Also an unpredictability attached to it with M's fate unsure. The double fake of Dench making her speech lead me to think she was going to get killed in the court room then she survives so I wasn't expecting her to die at the end. This suspense alone works better than anything in SP.)
Minor Characters: Spectre (I prefer Moneypenny in SF to Moneypenny in SP. Prefer Q in SP to Q in SF. M (Dench/Fiennes in SF to M Fiennes in SP. White in SP to Severine in SF. So it's an up and down pattern - but White wins it for SP. He's a great character and his scene in SP is among my favourites in the film.)
Glamour: Spectre (I think Spectre has the glamour of Bond down very well.)
Bond Performance: Spectre (Tough one but I really was quite taken with Bond's performance in Spectre. I liked the cool detachment he was going for. The start of SF with his grizzled, stubble attitude was a little too much of 'more of the same' from QoS. I liked what he was trying to do with SP - just wish the script had joined him in the fun.)
Skyfall = 11
Spectre = 7
Overall: I'm surprised Spectre did as well against Skyfall - but I think it's because of the similarities of director, composer, actor, screenwriters and the forced continuity which is very evident in Spectre that ties it so closely to its predecessor. Skyfall is stronger thematically, it holds the fate of a character we care about in M for its crescendo and most importantly it has a narrative momentum that eludes its follow up. Because of an absence of traditional Bond girl in SF and a seemingly intentional lack of glamour - SP picks up some categories. Skyfall would be Top Twelve films for me - Spectre bottom eight - so it's interesting that they are as close as they are in these rankings.
This has been a great game and I'd like to second the suggestion that we take SF (or another Bond film) and go category for category against the rest again. What about reversing it and going DN vs the rest?!
Title Track: Skyfall - One of the bets in the franchise and easily a member of my top five title tracks. I'll never forget how excited I was for this Bond when I heard this song on the radio (successive times) prior to seeing the film.
Title Credits: Skyfall - Hauntingly mesmerizing and in complete rhythm with the title track.
Main Villain: Skyfall - Silva is one of the greats, much in the line with Alac Trevelyan. What he sacrifices in close ties to Bond, he makes up for in terms of the personal attack he is committing along with the level of engagement he provides Bond.
Main Bond Girl: Skyfall - M is the main Bond girl cast in an unconventional manner and what a smashing success it was!
Henchman: Skyfall - Patrice is less imposing as a henchman, but he has a direct impact on Bond. Since it's so seldom, that elevates Patrice into the upper echelon of henchman. Conversely, Hinx is a better prototypical henchman, but actually only manages to make Bond sweat and get his tux dirty.
Plot: Skyfall - Both are not heavyweights in the plot department, but Skyfall connects the dots so much more fluidly.
Dialogue: Skyfall - The dialogue of Skyfall is very self-reflective and that awareness creates a much larger impact coupled with delivery that is very suitable to each of the characters.
Score: Tie - I'm breaking my commitment of not issuing ties. After careful consideration of these two soundtracks, it's nearly impossible to weigh them apart from each other without getting into a logical debate. The original score for Skyfall is very atmospheric and serves the film well on screen. Newman provides a continuation of that in Spectre, where he expands on themes and adds all new ideas that, in a way, elevate it above Skyfall. However, the connection to the emotion of the scene is not as great as it is in Skyfall. This is especially noticeable for M's theme 'Mother' that don't have a counterpart in the Spectre score. Other small quirks about Spectre's soundtrack is how 'Backfire' makes me feel like I am watching the Skyfall opening because it is so much more iconic for that moment.
Settings: Skyfall - Turkey, Shanghai, London, and Scotland looked terrific. Spectre has the more exotic locations, but filters out their natural brilliance (without this, it would rank very favorably across the entire franchise). When I watch a film, I don't look at a checklist of places to decide how I feel, it's all about how they are captured on film.
Action: Skyfall - The sense of danger comes across greater in Skyfall. Perhaps that comes from Bond's injury in the opening, which sets up subsequent action scenes as carrying the chance of failure with them.
Humor: Skyfall - Sarcastic underplayed humor is the best kind of humor for Craig's Bond. The cheeky kind of way he shrugs off life is a wonderful, original take on the early Connery humor that solidified his status being Bond.
Cinematography: Skyfall - The best of the franchise. If every Bond was this visually stunning, Skyfall would be a little worse by comparison.
Benign Bizarre: Skyfall - Rats over mice.
Suspense: Skyfall - They covered the proper late reveal of the villain well and the ending was very poignant.
Minor Characters: Skyfall - All of the right notes are hit with the supporting cast of Skyfall. Spectre has equally wonderful talent, but their lackluster portrayal, bar Mr. White and Q, hand this category to Skyfall.
Glamor: Skyfall - This should be the template for modern Bond glamor; a confident blend between classic and trendy.
Bond Performance: Skyfall - I view this performance as the definitive portrayal of Craig's Bond. He lacked the experience in Casino Royale and was still undeveloped. The canvas is full in Skyfall and what a fantastic picture it paints.
Skyfall: 17
Spectre: 0
Tie: 1
It's an interesting idea, although the mechanics are a bit strange to me.
Spectre (2015) vs. Sausage Party (2016)?
Hahahahhahaha great idea, or minions vs SPECTRE
PTS: SP
Title Track: SF (I dislike both SF is more tolerable)
Title Credits: SF
Main Villain: SP
Main Bond Girl: SF
Henchman: SP
Overall Plot: SP
Dialogue: SP
Score: SP (Two similar soundtracks with a couple of highlights on each, SP just wins because of Backfire and Pale King)
Settings: SP
Action: SP (Is there any action in SF :p )
Humour: SP
Cinematography: DRAW
Benign Bizarre: SP
Suspense: DRAW
Minor Characters: SP
Glamour: SP
Bond Performance: SF
SKYFALL: 4
SPECTRE: 12
DRAW: 2
Title Track: SF
Title Credits: SF
Main Villain: SF
Main Bond Girl: SF
Henchman: SP
Overall Plot: SF
Dialogue: SF
Score: SF
Settings: SP
Action: SP
Humour: SP
Cinematography: SF
Benign Bizarre: SP
Suspense: SF
Minor Characters: SF
Glamour: SP
Bond Performance: SF
SF: 13
SP: 5
Title Track: Skyfall
Title Credits: Skyfall
Main Villain: Skyfall
Main Bond Girl: Skyfall
Henchman: SPECTRE
Overall Plot: Skyfall
Dialogue: Skyfall
Score: Skyfall
Settings: SPECTRE
Action: Skyfall
Humour: Skyfall
Cinematography: Skyfall
Benign Bizarre: SPECTRE
Suspense: Skyfall
Minor Characters: Skyfall
Glamour: Skyfall
Bond Performance: Skyfall
Skyfall: 15
Spectre: 3
PTS: Skyfall
Title Track: Skyfall
Title Credits: Skyfall
Main Villain: Skyfall
Main Bond Girl: SPECTRE
Henchman: SPECTRE
Overall Plot: Skyfall
Dialogue: Skyfall
Score: Skyfall
Settings: Skyfall
Action: Skyfall
Humour: SPECTRE
Cinematography: Skyfall
Benign Bizarre: Skyfall
Suspense: Skyfall
Minor Characters: SPECTRE
Glamour: SPECTRE
Bond Performance: Skyfall
Skyfall: 13
Spectre: 5
I've studied mathematics for many years now. Still don't understand it of course.
The England Football Team motto
Title Track: Skyfall
Title Credits: Skyfall
Main Villain: Skyfall
Main Bond Girl: SPECTRE
Henchman: SPECTRE
Overall Plot: Skyfall
Dialogue: Skyfall
Score: Skyfall
Settings: SPECTRE
Action: Skyfall
Humour: Skyfall
Cinematography: Skyfall
Benign Bizarre: SPECTRE
Suspense: Skyfall
Minor Characters: Skyfall
Glamour: SPECTRE
Bond Performance: Skyfall
Skyfall: 13
Spectre: 5
Title Track: SF
Title Credits: SF
Main Villain: SF
Main Bond Girl: SP
Henchman: SP
Overall Plot: SF
Dialogue: SF
Score: SF
Settings: SF
Action: SF
Humour: SF
Cinematography: SF
Benign Bizarre: SP
Suspense: SF
Minor Characters: SF
Glamour: SP
Bond Performance: SF
Skyfall: 14
Spectre: 4
A bigger margin than I expected.
Title Track: Skyfall
Title Credits: Skyfall (One of the best ever IMO)
Main Villain: Skyfall
Main Bond Girl: Spectre (Don't really count Judi Dench...)
Henchman: Spectre
Overall Plot: Skyfall
Dialogue: Skyfall
Score: Skyfall
Settings: Skyfall (Does much better with the way it uses the settings)
Action: Spectre (Close call but the train fight clinches it)
Humour: Spectre
Cinematography: Skyfall
Benign Bizarre: Skyfall
Suspense: Skyfall
Minor Characters: Spectre
Glamour: Spectre
Bond Performance: Skyfall
Skyfall - 11
Spectre - 7
PTS: SP
Title Track: SF
Title Credits: SF
Main Villain: SF
Main Bond Girl: SF
Henchman: SP
Overall Plot: SP
Dialogue: TIE
Score: SF
Settings: SP
Action: TIE
Humour: SP
Cinematography: SF
Benign Bizarre: SP
Suspense: SF
Minor Characters: SP
Glamour: SP
Bond Performance: SF
Skyfall: 8
Spectre: 8
Tie: 2
Title Track: SF
Title Credits: SF
Main Villain: SF
Main Bond Girl: SF
Henchman: SP
Overall Plot: SF
Dialogue: SF
Score: SF
Settings: SF
Action: SF
Humour: SF
Cinematography: SF
Benign Bizarre: SF
Suspense: SF
Minor Characters: SF
Glamour: SF
Bond Performance: SF
Skyfall: 17
Spectre: 1
Yeah, what's happening with that?
PTS: Skyfall
Title Track: Skyfall
Title Credits: Spectre (close this)
Main Villain: Skyfall
Main Bond Girl: Spectre (those eyes man!)
Henchman: Spectre
Overall Plot: Skyfall (for the subplot of Bond being resurrected)
Dialogue: Skyfall (a mite more depth than Spectre)
Score: Spectre (for Madeleine's theme)
Settings: Spectre (globe hoping baby!)
Action: Skyfall (both pretty lacking tbh)
Humour: Spectre
Cinematography: Skyfall
Benign Bizarre: Skyfall (guess Komodo Dragon's are bizarre, if not totally benign)
Suspense: Skyfall
Minor Characters: Spectre (Mr. White to the rescue. Again)
Glamour: Spectre
Bond Performance: TIE
Skyfall: 9
Spectre: 8
Tie: 1
Close. Very close. Just like my rankings.
Title Track: Skyfall
Title Credits: Skyfall
Main Villain: Skyfall
Main Bond Girl: SPECTRE
Henchman: SPECTRE
Overall Plot: SPECTRE
Dialogue: Skyfall
Score: Skyfall
Settings: SPECTRE
Action: SPECTRE
Humour: SPECTRE
Cinematography: SPECTRE
Benign Bizarre: SPECTRE
Suspense: SPECTRE
Minor Characters: SPECTRE
Glamour: SPECTRE
Bond Performance: Skyfall
SPECTRE: 11
Skyfall: 7
Title Track: SF
Title Credits: SF (I absolutely love them.)
Main Villain: SF
Main Bond Girl: SF (Severine, we hardly knew ye, but I'd still take you over Madeleine.)
Henchman: SP (However, I do agree that Patrice serves his purpose well in SF.)
Overall Plot: SF
Dialogue: SF
Score: SF (It had the benefit of being original the first time around.)
Settings: SF
Action: SP (The train fight seals it.)
Humour: SF
Cinematography: SF
Benign Bizarre: SP
Suspense: SF
Minor Characters: SP (I think this is a first for this category.)
Glamour: SF
Bond Performance: SF (Although, the gap is not as wide as it once was. Here's hoping that Mendes doesn't direct the next one.)
SF 14
SP 4
Title Track: Skyfall
Title Credits: Skyfall
Main Villain: Skyfall (not a huge fan of Silva, still...)
Main Bond Girl: Spectre (Severine gives a stronger performance, but greatly limited screen-time and her deplorable send-off damage the character)
Henchman: Skyfall (Hinx has one great fight, Patrice two, both are mute and largely undeveloped, but ultimately Patrice is much more integral to the plot)
Overall Plot: Skyfall (all potholes aside, there's more of interest going on in Skyfall)
Dialogue: Skyfall
Score: Skyfall (like Mendes, Newman spent his best right out the gate)
Settings: Skyfall
Action: Skyfall
Humour: Spectre (don't recall any particularly laugh-worthy moments in Skyfall)
Cinematography: Skyfall
Benign Bizarre: Skyfall
Suspense: Skyfall (Shanghai high-rise, enquiry scene, chapel)
Minor Characters: Skyfall (not much to write home about in either, but Mallory, Eve, Severine, and Patrice are more engaging than C, Hinx, Donna Lucia, and White)
Glamour: Skyfall
Bond Performance: Skyfall
Skyfall: 16
Spectre: 2
Title Track: Skyfall
Title Credits: Skyfall
Main Villain: Skyfall
Main Bond Girl: Spectre
Henchman: Spectre
Overall Plot: Skyfall
Dialogue: Skyfall
Score: Skyfall
Settings: Skyfall
Action: Skyfall
Humor: Skyfall
Cinematography: Skyfall
Benign Bizarre: Skyfall
Suspense: Skyfall
Minor Characters: Skyfall
- Kincade by himself wins it for SF; one of the best side characters in the series!
Glamour: Skyfall
BOND PERFORMANCE: Skyfall
Skyfall: 16
Spectre: 2