Skyfall: Film Review

 

1. Perfect balance between innovative and classic

2. Welcome back Q & Moneypenny

3. Nice to see a backstory
 

1. Not enough Bond Girls

2. More fancy gadgets

3. Ran a bit long

James Bond raises a martini glass to his predecessors in 'Skyfall'

It’s been four years since the last James Bond movie and you can see the difference in Daniel Craig. He seems tired and weakened but that’s the point. Bond isn’t a young man anymore. Technically he’s been on the job for 50 years.

Six actors and more than $5 billion after Sean Connery suited up in “Dr. No” Daniel Craig and “Skyfall” are taking their place in history with the 23rd film in the James Bond franchise (24th if you count the non-Eon produced “Never Say Never Again”).

A lot can happen in 50 years so it’s comforting to see producers going back to Bond’s roots in his latest mission.

After a computer hard drive containing the identities of undercover NATO agents is stolen Bond tracks down the thief in an elaborate fast-paced chase involving cars, motorbikes, trains and a Caterpillar (not the bug). In the process Bond is shot and presumed dead. Disappearing to a tropical island he spends his time “enjoying death” but there’s a sense there’s little enjoyment in it.

When the criminal mastermind behind the theft starts releasing names to the public, and blowing up MI6 headquarters Bond returns to England to save Queen and country. During his time away he’s developed a bitter attitude, and a bit of a drinking problem.

James Bond is not at the top of his game but M (the fantastic Judi Dench) ignores his issues and sends him on his way. A few fist fights and one Bond Girl later he is faced with one of the creepiest Bond villains yet.

There’s something about Javier Bardem in a wig that just creeps me out to my core. This time around he’s swapped his bowl cut for platinum blonde locks and a mangled set of teeth.

As Raoul Silva, criminal mastermind and tech genius, he’s an interesting opponent for Bond. A fellow MI6 agent that’s fallen out with England, Silva is a perfect antithesis for Bond and paints a warning of what he could become in different circumstances.

“Skyfall” marks the return of Q, Miss Moneypenny and the Aston Martin for the first time in a Daniel Craig installment. The nods to previous Bond films are everywhere, but they’re subtle and charming.

Don’t expect a lot of Bond Girl action in this movie. Bond works hard to protect one woman, but in an uncharacteristic move, it’s out of more maternal motivation.

What you can prepare for is a look into Bond’s past. I’m not going to giveaway what “Skyfall” means but it’s the closest thing we’ve gotten to an origin story yet.
 

Its human realism and obvious respect of the source material makes “Skyfall” the best installment of the Daniel Craig Bond movies.  The movie wraps up nicely with a revitalized cast and a promise of more. Craig has already signed on for two more films, so we should expect to stare down that gun barrel again sometime in 2014.

This movie works whether you're a true Bond fan or not, but it's more fun if you are. Take someone along who can fill you in on the details, or call a friend for a debriefing before you go.