Skyfall

 

Starring;

Daniel Craig
Judi Dench
Javier Bardem
Naomie Harris
Ralph Fiennes
Berenice Marlohe
Albert Finney
Rory Kinnear
Ben Wishaw

Director;

Sam Mendes

In three words; Thrilling – Brilliant – Bond

Plot;

A laptop which contains a list of field agents undercover in terrorist organisations is stolen and MI6 are desperate to get it back. Bond is brought back into active duty after almost being killed and sets out to recover the missing list. This journey leads him to a mysterious man called Silva who has revenge on his mind.

Review;

Hype is a word often used in the run up to the release of a new Bond film and this year it has been used in abundance as Skyfall marks 50 years since 007 hit the silver screen for the first time in Dr No. Therefore the latest instalment from the international spy had to live up to the hype which is heaped onto him. Does Skyfall live up to expectation? Well the answer is very simple, yes.

Eon Productions had put an enormous amount of faith into Sam Mendes to deliver a Bond film worthy of such a prestigious anniversary. Mendes is not a tested director when it comes to action but he is certainly a talent and has assembled his cast and crew perfectly. Bringing in the brilliant Roger Deakins as the films Cinematographer brings a perfect balance to the visuals which stay true to the feel of a Bond film.

Skyfall sees Daniel Craig back in action as Bond and it’s hard to see anyone else playing that role. Although people raised eyebrows when he was given double ‘0’ status he hasn’t disappointed. And there is no exception in this flick. Craig brings believability to his role which is essential to deliver as this is what the current cinema going public want to see. We have seen his Bond grow within the three films Craig has appeared and he is now ready to start work!

When considering the perfect actor to portray a megalomaniac Bond villain it can be difficult to cast the right person. However, Javier Bardem’s Raoul Silva is the perfect complement to Craig’s Bond. Silva is sophisticated, intelligent and will stop at nothing to reach his final goal, which, for a Bond villain is much more personal then we have ever seen before. Personal is an on-going theme throughout Skyfall and one that we seldom see from the franchise yet this is integral to Medes’ vision of Bond and perhaps why he was brought in to helm this much deeper story.

Judi Dench is as consistent as ever and has a more central role to play in Bond’s life and indeed the plot. Dench is given much more screen time than any other M to date and she does not disappoint. Her delivery of a poem is a wonderful calm before a gathering storm which is a beautiful juxtaposition of the impending action.

Mendes has brought together an excellent supporting cast with the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Berenice Marlohe, Albert Finney, Rory Kinnear and Ben Wishaw as Q. Fiennes playing the bureaucrat government man Gareth Mallory who appears to have an agenda for both Bond and M. While Harris plays a fledging field agent who is out of her depth. Both of these characters were difficult to judge and Mendes keeps his audience guessing as to their true intentions with brilliant and subtle dialogue.

I certainly don’t want to give any spoilers away but be prepared for the many references to previous Bond films some of which I noticed and others I missed. Certainly another viewing will be in order to catch them all. There was even a nod to Sean Connery’s unofficial Bond film, Never Say Never Again.

Skyfall is a wonderful action thriller which is made even better with an evolving Bond which sets up perfectly for the next film. It has been said in the press that Skyfall is perhaps the best Bond film ever. Only time will tell on that front but this is certainly a fantastic instalment and works as a stand-alone film. One thing I am certain of is that Bond will be back.

Verdict;

5 out of 5.