Synopsis:

Skyfall: The Past Haunts Us' trims the endless jabs at Bond and M for their long service. It removes the implausible Tube derailment, and tightens the final battle.

Intentions:

The derailed Tube annoyed me in the cinema already. It's not just implausible, it's illogical and impractical for Silva, and poorly executed by the makers (e.g. visible suspension wires, no news follow-up inside the movie mentioning this major act of possible terrorism). I wanted it excised completely! The overabundance of ageist comments bugged me, because it was insincere: for viewers and in-movie characters it's repeatedly clear that Bond IS the man to get the job done. Once I got into editing this, I realized how I could address the third thing that had bothered me: Silva's two attack waves in the final battle. It made no sense for Silva to send goons, and withhold the support of his gunship until they're all dead.

Change List:

- First edit is at 38'23", cut lines Tanner: "I didn't know Bond passed the tests." M: "He didn't". - Cut Q's joke about exploding pen. Not a bad joke, but the delivery made it another swipe at Bond being (from) the past. Now Q remains silent in sombre agreement with Bond's bleak comment. - Three short trims in the Shanghai skyscaper while Bond is stalking / watching the assassin. For pacing. - Trim M watching the video disclosing the first 5 spies. To make her look less weak. - During shaving, cut Bond: "What part's that?" and Eve's ageist retort: "Old dog new tricks". - During Silva's monologue at Bond: cut mention of Bond's "unresolved childhood trauma". I realize this may seem counter-intuitive with my chosen sub-title, but it feels redundant to have both the sub-title and Silva's comment. And there's no need to double down on Bond's incompetence (if he's not too old, he still can't do the job because of his unresolved past), because by the end of the movie he proves yet again that nobody does it better.

Additional Notes:

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Other Sources:

Boom Boom by The Animals.

Special Thanks:

Zarius and everyone who gave helpful and motivating feedback.