"Skyfall" (2012) film review

Hello Bond fans,

The new Bond film was released here in the UK today, so you KNOW your boy had to watch it. And such a major film deserves some quality shared thoughts. So if you're ready to read on, be warned to reading the good, the bad, and the ugly. Your Martini may well end up thoroughly shaken in this relatively spoiler-free review. Enjoy!

About

Director: Sam Mendes
Main Stars: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Marlohe, Albert Finney, and Judy Dench
Genres: Action, Adventure, Crime, Thriller
UK Release Date: 26 October, 2012
Running Time: 143 minutes

Brief Plot

Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

[Click for the Trailer] - YouTube video

Review

Many a people I know who have seen the two previous Bond films, the reboot collection of Casino Royale (2006) and Quantum of Solace (2008), tend to find themselves loving the first, and to varying degrees disliking the latter, and so would proceed to bite their nails in a cocktail of optimism and high caution as they await watching this film. I must admit though, I had little concern - I absolutely LOVED the first Bond reboot, and saw the second as more of an extension to the first, so overall I appreciate the experience, though I do understand where people are coming from.

Interestingly, however, are the 'die hard Bond fans' who to no end love the first 20 Bond films (yes, that's right, 20! Interesting fact; 2012 marks 50 years of Bond with Skyfall being the 23rd release, that's an average of almost 1 every 2 years) consider Casino Royale onwards to be bland action films with no soul in the Bond cannon, but rather more like the Bourne films in which Matt Damon so excellently portrayed an American CIA operative with memory loss, known as Jason Bourne. James Bond, on the other hand, has often been portrayed as a suave, sophisticated, gadget/car/gun-abusing, woman-bedding spy.

This is something the 'old school fans' don't appreciate in the Daniel Craig, as he is shown to be a more emotionally-detached, hard-hitting MI6 agent, but besides the outlandish gadgets, I always felt he still embodied the same standards for the modern audience. During the Sean Connery era, Bond was shown to be a rugged (and all of the above) 'classic Bond' who dealt mostly against the Russians, as the Cold War was an issue in the times. The Roger Moore era had the similar character ushered into the likes of sci-fi with Moonraker (1979), and blaxploitation with Live and Let Die (1973), popular film themes of the 70's. All the following Bonds continued to integrate with cinematic trends where possible as the times moved on. Similarly with the Daniel Craig era, it went with what audiences preferred more of today, a realistic, action-packed take on the classic character. Maybe people got a little spooked by the idea of it being called a reboot?

The interesting thing about Skyfall is how it captures the much loved qualities from Casino Royale, and gives it the backbone of a 'classic Bond' film. It brings in more classic Bond Characters like Q and the return of the absurd-appearing villain, interestingly and enjoyable performed by Javier Bardem. I think he was a fantastic choice, who many will recognise for his expertly handled villainy in No Country for Old Man (2007), and while I consider wholly the characters to be different, I can see he was chosen for a certain 'creep factor' which he has portrayed so well already, and it works. Interestingly, it has to be one of a handful of films where the entire cast carried quality and weight throughout the entire film, and I must praise the actors for the way they do so.

People argue about which bond is there favourite, and I would argue that they EACH individually hold it down perfectly. Now, I must admit, I have to say I have found my favourite in Daniel Craig, because he has shown fantastic range over the three films while still encompassing the Bond character in my opinion. I appreciate through and through how they brought Bond down a level from the beginning when he is authorised to be shot at as he attempts to contain a international situation, and shows him dealing with a comeback in mental as well as physical strength. All the while, questions are asked of him, if 'James Bond still has it', which to me felt like a cheeky and clever tongue out at the critics and naysayers.

The film is a very complete film that has a quality dialogue that keeps the characters alive throughout, and although there are moments that can appear long (and initially, they did feel long) they fall so well into the film. I must tip my razor-edged bowl-hat to Sam Mendes for pulling together an extraordinary amount of elements which mixes action, adventure, crime, and thrills, while utilising the perfect cast with excellent acting chops who do action like it's a walk in the park (a very exciting walk in the park, might I add). The films is additionally complements by well-chosen locations, and the perfect Bond score, which ups the excitement and the Bond themes. I watch this, and feel goosebumps as I see how this film has not only made a quality Bond film, but left it in such a way that would want any Bond fan (past and present) hungry for more.

End Credits scene?

Pre-credits tease.

Overall Rating

The story worked so intelligently with the aim of the film, which, in my humble opinion, was about an ageing format/character who shows his worth in the modern world, and can be appreciated by non-Bond, modern Bond, and even classic Bond fans through a very balanced film.

9/10

Watch if You Liked...

• Casino Royale (2006)
• 'Classic Bond' films
• Bourne films

Anything additional you'd like to know? Seen the film and had other thoughts? Or maybe you just wanna chime in with some greater points? If you would like to add anything at all, drop a comment freely!

-Harish, out