James Bond returns in his 23rd outing to battle
with Javier Bardems cyber terrorist, who is a dark figure from M's past.
First off when i learned Sam Mendes was directing this film i thought "not the guy who made American Beauty?!" but then i realized this was the man who brought us the stunning gangster flick Road to Perdition.
Thankfully Mendes is on Perdition form here giving us an earthy but at the same time classic bond adventure. Part of the appeal to me is the fact that Bond is really strung out and not at his peak for a large part of the story. I mean the normally perfect shot bond is replaced by someone who cant even shoot straight , and physically he's no better either.
Also Bond doe
sn't look like a spring chicken either ,with a plot that focuses on weather the world needs a 007 or secret agents to fight in the shadows. Dame Judi Dench gets to do much much more than sit behind a desk as well and this is as much M's film about the decisions of her past as well as bond being on the back foot.
My first highlight is Ben Whishaw bringing back Q to the franchise in a fresh, updated and relevant way. Bond and Q's first encounter is joyous for Bond fans and movies goes alike. Think of him as like having a character from the Big Bang Theory with all the genius and cocky humor thrown in.
And then there's Javier Bardem, ahhh Javier. I hadn't seen No Country for Old Men but I'd heard enough good things to be looking forward to seeing him in action, and he didn't disappoint. Not only does he chew the scenes he's in to pieces , he also at one point adds a rather risky sexual aspect that's never and i mean never been in a Bond movie and almost makes you say "did that just really happen?!".
What i think is currently making this outing in the 50 year franchise one of its best is the fact we get to see Bond the character not just Bond the action hero. Whilst Casino Royale re started and re packaged a heavily cliched franchise and Quantum of Solace carried on that trend (i know people didn't like it but i loved it), Skyfall feels like it should've come before both of those films. Where Casino gave you a whistlestop tour of Bonds coming of age , Skyfall gives you a Tour de force , allowing you to travel (literally) to the iconic characters rarely touched upon origins. But rather than ruining the image of him you find yourselves feeling a little more involved , and that you want to see more now you know what the characters been through.
So my verdict is GO SEE THIS FILM NOW! seriously its the James Bond we've been waiting for, some may not like the really really bold moves it makes but there's something ,without spoiling anything, warm and familiar about how the movies ties up.
With a great villain , great action set pieces and some character moves/developments that make you feel like your not watching a going-through-the-motions 007 movie that we see on Saturday afternoon tv, this has classic written all over it.
