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The Film Skyfall : Film Analysis Of A Film Noire

Decent Essays

“It has always been easier to recognize a film noir than to define the term” (Naremore 1995). This is an accurate statement which pertains to the difficulty of forming an adequate description for film noir. Although it may not be easy to describe, it is easier to point out the typical characteristics of noir films. Noir films are notorious for their dark, pessimistic, and corrupt moods as well as for crime and ambiguity. Based on noir characteristics, the film Skyfall is a film noir.
Skyfall is a fairly recent film that came out in 2012. The film was directed by Sam Mendes and was produced by Eon Productions. The basis of the film is that James Bond resolves to come out of retirement to help M and the M16 after both have been compromised and come under attack. Bond must stop a foe from M’s past who resurfaces to settle a vendetta. This movie is important because even though it is a modern film, it depicts how characteristics of film noir continue to live on and evolve in newer films. This film presents many of the typical noir cinematic elements. Skyfall makes use of smoke, fog, and dust in many of the scenes to add an obscuring affect. The use of smoke can be seen at 1:41:49-1:42:05 where Bond shoots at the fire extinguisher which fills the room with smoke. This all occurs while M is being attacked by Raoul Silva during a public inquiry. Another noir cinematic element is the use of lighting to produce shadows. A great example of this occurs at 1:37:15-1:37:25 where Bond

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