Skyfall - Review

One of the downsides of seeing as many movies as I often do is that it's taken some of the previous excitement I originally felt when going to see a new movie. Since I started this blog, I have often made it a point to see all the major releases but also found myself going out of my way to not-so-local theaters to see anything that I thought might be good, worthy, relevant, or important. As a result, going to the theater (while still an enjoyable experience, don't get me wrong) has become more "routine-like" most of the time. While there are some movies that do manage to get me hyped, it's becoming less-and-less frequent. Fortunately, if there's one series that always manages to bring back some of that previous movie-going excitement that I continually yearn for... it's James Bond. I'll just come out and say this, I have been a HUGE fan of this series ever since I was a kid! I love them all... or at least most of them, but even the few stinkers that occasionally come around haven't managed to decrease my absolute adoration for 007. Every time a new entry makes it's way into theaters, that giddy feeling of excitement and hype returns, and suddenly I'm as happy as a kid in a candy shop. This film, in particular, especially peaked my interest for two different reasons. First off, it's been over four years since 2008's Quantum of Solace and quite frankly that's a long time to go between 007 flicks. Secondly, Skyfall, the 23rd official Bond film and third to star Daniel Craig as the legendary spy, was directed by Sam Mendes, the Oscar winning filmmaker behind movies like Road To Perdition and American Beauty (which won for Best Picture in 2000). Does Skyfall live up, not only to it's hype, but also the legacy of this long-running series?

Skyfall opens with 007 in pursuit of a hard drive containing the secret identities of numerous MI6 agents. In the chase, Bond films himself on top of a moving train, fighting a henchman for the said drive, all while a fellow agent watches via a sniper rifle. Despite not having a clear shot, MI6 head M (once again played by Judi Dench) knowing full well that Bond could easily be killed, orders that the sniper take a shot at the henchmen. When the shot is taken, Bond is mistakenly hit. He falls from the train into the river below, and is declared Killed in Action despite actually surviving his fall. After months of staying off the radar, 007 returns to London after hearing of an attack on MI6 headquarters. M puts 007 back out in the field, informing him that the cyber terrorist that attacked MI6 may be a former agent with a vendetta against M and the British government. With his loyalty to M severely tested, the reluctant 007 nevertheless continues his search for the terrorist in the hopes of stopping him before he strikes again.

As much as I love this series, I have to admit that I have had some minor doubts about the direction the Daniel Craig films have been going. Don't get me wrong, I've actually liked the previous two flicks. Casino Royale was, by all accounts, pretty damn awesome while Quantum of Solace was flawed by still quite enjoyable. It also has nothing to do with Daniel Craig, whom is arguably the most memorable actor to play the character since Sean Connery (who still holds the title for best Bond) brought him to life in 1962. What concerned me was that there was this ever-present notion that the series would soon start giving way to diminishing returns and worse yet, that it was starting to lose focus of what's made the movies so awesome. I don't just mean the lack of gadgets, Q, Moneypenny, memorable henchmen, and campy villains (though they're definitely part of it), but rather that the realism-based direction the series was heading was ultimately turning the series into a line of generic run-of-the-mill action flicks while robbing the series out of the traits that made Bond... well, Bond. With all that said, I am happy to report that Skyfall has rediscovered that same degree of fun from classic 007 while still adding some of the more dramatic themes and character beats that made Casino Royale so effective. Hell, many have actually said that Skyfall might actually be the best film in the whole pantheon of 007. Personally... I'm not going to make that statement quite yet. I'll need to see it another time or two to properly rank it. Though if you are wondering, Goldfinger, The Spy Who Loved Me, and Goldeneye are my three personal faves. Nevertheless, Skyfall is a huge return to form, one of the better offerings of the series, and my personal favorite out of Craig's three films.

One thing I actually do applaud the Daniel Craig 007 films for doing is attempting to give Bond a dynamic character arc. While Bond has always been a fun character (and totally badass mind you), most movies in this series haven't exactly been strong in the way of theme and character development, though there have been exceptions (Goldfinger and On Her Majesty's Secret Service immediately come to mind). While the main plot for Skyfall doesn't immediately connect with it's predecessors in the same way that Quantum of Solace tied into Casino Royale, it nonetheless picks up on previous plot-points and themes, namely the mother/son-ish relationship between 007 and M. Bond questions his loyalty to M, as well as MI6, after M put him in harm's way and ordered him to make some sketchy decisions. His concerns are only exacerbated when he takes on the film's villain, Silva, a former agent-turned cyber terrorist with a (not entirely unjustified) vendetta against M. This particular story-arch ultimately drives the plot and culminates in a profoundly dramatic and suspenseful manner. I won't spoil exactly what happens, but I will say that it's hard not to be moved by how it all comes together. I will say that, aside for a handful of slow-ish scenes, the film moves at a good pace and rarely lets up. Add in some neat twists, solid exchanges between heroes and villains, interesting themes of modern vs old fashion tactics, and some legitimate character development, and you've got one of Bond's most memorable scripts.

Now we come to the cast, the area where Skyfall truly knocks it out of the park. This is Daniel Craig's third outing as 007, and while he's already had two strong performances under his belt, this time he really delivers. With a script that gives him the opportunity to truly explore the brooding and unstable psyche of Bond, Craig really puts his all into the role, giving way to his most memorable performance as the legendary spy. Judi Dench, who has become a pro at playing M after seven movies, once again delivers in the role. This particular film, however, gives her what is easily her meatiest role in a Bond film, resulting in some truly moving acting by Dench. The standout performer, however, has to be Javier Bardem as the villainous Silva. I am all but sure that Bardem will also go down as one of 007's most memorable foes. Taking inspiration from classic Bond enemies, Hannibal Lecter, and Heath Ledger's Joker, Bardem gives a memorably creepy, suspenseful, and moving performance as a man driven to villainy after suffering at the hands of MI6. There's been some early buzz about a possible Oscar nomination for Bardem (who previously won for No Country For Old Men), and unless the Academy is turned off by the fact that this is a 007 film, it's a definite possibility that he might be included on the ballot. As for the rest of the supporting cast, everyone is pretty solid. Ralph Fiennes has a small part as MI6 personnel Gareth Edwards yet still sells his role commendably. Q once again returns to the series (FINALLY!), only this time as a much younger character played by Ben Whishaw who is less of a gadget supplier and more of MI6's technological and security liason. I was originally a bit uncertain of this re-imagined portrayal of Q, but Whishaw sells the role, bringing all the classic Q traits, adding a bit of humor, and as an important figure in the plot. While Skyfall breaks slightly from tradition in that the Bond girl has considerable less screentime and impact on the plot, Naomie Harris nonetheless sells her role as Eve, who has a number of memorable scenes. All in all, Skyfall has a killer cast that never fails to impress.

With all that said, there's one more area on which a Bond film absolutely must deliver. That is, of course, the action. Sam Mendes has built a reputation in the industry primarily as a director of artsy dramas and character pieces. Prior to Skyfall, he had no action films in his filmography (that I know of anyways). Yet despite all that, he steps into Bond's world like an old pro, bringing some of the series' most exciting and flat-out amazing action sequences in recent memory. The opening scene in particular is arguably the best pre-title action sequence in the series, with an incredible chase and fight sequence. The finale is the other stand-out scene, with some white-knuckle suspense and one exciting payoff after another. The only thing that could have made them better would be if 007 had a few more gadgets to put to use this time around. With Q back in the series, I was hoping to see a little more on that front, and while he had a couple, there was nothing particular memorable. It's a minor gripe I admit, and I suppose they didn't want the tech to overshadow the main plot at hand. Maybe in the next film. Nitpicks aside, this is one hell of an action film, with one kick ass chase, fight, or shootout after another. If all you're expecting out of Skyfall is some well directed action, I can all but guarantee you will leave satisfied.

So that's Skyfall... and yeah it pretty much rocks! With the exception of a few minor nitpicks here and there, I can't think of too many things to complain about here. It's classic Bond action with a great cast and engaging script. Whether you're a Bond fan or not, this is a must see movie! Do not miss this one!

My Score: 4.5 out of 5!