MovieChat Forums > Skyfall (2012) Discussion > "Ronson is down"

"Ronson is down"

posted 3 years ago by Ripkens25 (1947)
5 replies | jump to latest

Just a small observation...but I thought it was interesting how they had the whole Ronson scene play out. Typically, his character in an action movie would have been 100% dispensible...nothing more than a small step in the plot device, and no one would show much concern about him. However, they were a little more....humanistic in this scene. Even though Ronson was a throw-away character....they showed Bond expressing concern for his well-being...and even following-up during the subsequent care chase, asking if he was being tended to. Even Tanner mentions Ronson's status in the situation room during that whole chase scene. It was a subtle touch...but it made that whole scenario a bit more realistic.

[–] millsey72 (9718) 3 years ago

But the whole scene was not realistic. The way Bond gets on the train is ridiculous. Slamming the wall on the cycle, getting thrown up in the air landing on the roof of the moving train. Not to mention, his cycle also somehow manages to jump the wall after ramming it. Of course the worst is Bond getting shot then dropping hundreds of feet landing on his back in the river. At that height, a river is like concrete

[–] Ripkens25 (1947) 3 years ago

I knew someone would inevitably reply with how UN-realistic the whole scene is. Thanks for not disappointing.
Maybe "realistic" was not even the best choice of description from me. Maybe it's more....that it was an interesting attention to a detail often overlooked.

Bond movies are fantasy escapism. It doesn't make much sense to criticize the very thing that makes them so fun and so popular--popular to the point that it's the most successful franchise in the history of films.

This is a franchise that has had Bond wrestling with Jaws in mid-air for a parachute. (jaws subsequently surviving a 20,000 ft fall onto a circus tent. A franchise that has had Bond windsurfing a tidal wave on a car door, using a parachute. This is a franchise that has had Bond riding on top of an airplane (in Octopussy), holding on with just his fingertips and the toes of his shoes.

Shall I go on?

Don't waste your timing griping about realism. If it's not for you, just move on.

[–] millsey72 (9718) 3 years ago

Are you saying Bond fought a shark in mid air? I never saw that scene but yes, that sounds way over the top since sharks cannot survive while not in water. Windsurfing on a car door? Never saw that either but yes, a flying car is completely over the top. Riding on top of an airplane? Never saw that but yes, that too is over the top. I can't even imagine what outside seating would look like on a plane. The seat belt would have to be very tight at the least, never mind possible weather conditions

[–] cyguration (3925) 3 years ago

I know exactly what you're talking about.

Scenes like this really do stand out because it makes you more invested in the world rather than just Bond. You know Bond isn't going to die, but that guy next to him? How about that agent in the background? The backup that just arrived? How about his liaison? The extras and supporting characters are always expendable, so when they have any amount of screentime you're a little more invested in what their outcome might be, especially if they might play a significant role in the way events unfold.

I would say that it does make it a little more realistic, though perhaps -- for the pedantic that roam the board -- grounded might be a better word.

Anything to help the action and the world-building feel more grounded certainly helps with the entertainment values, because it makes us feel more invested in the characters who have some involvement with the main story, or the way the story might play out.

[–] Ripkens25 (1947) 3 years ago

Exactly!

Well said.