Daniel Craig is back in his third outing as 007 agent James Bond in the Sam Mendes directed “Skyfall.” The release of Skyfall also marks the fiftieth anniversary of Bond films.
With the critical and commercial success of Casino Royale in 2006, Bond was rebooted with a darker, more realistic direction for the classic spy series. Casino Royale had been hailed as the best Bond film in decades and Craig marks the first time a Bond performance was nominated for a BAFTA film award.
Casino Royale was followed with Quantum of Solace in 2008 which was somewhat of a disappointment with an incoherent and disjointed plot and uninspiring action sequences.
Production was delayed on a third Craig Bond film when MGM went bankrupt. The company was sold in 2010 and didn’t resume until 2011. Sam Medes came on board as director and fans of the series eagerly awaited the return of Bond on screen.
If Casino Royale rebooted Bond, then Skyfall has reinvented him. Skyfall has an incredibly talented supporting cast with Javier Bardem as villain Silva, Ralph Fiennes as MI6 director Mallory, Judi Dench is back as M and stars several “Bond girls,” including Naomie Harris.
Aside from being the biggest box office opening for a Bond film, with a $90 million opening weekend, it’s also been a massive commercial success with a 92 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Skyfall is the perfect blend of classic and modern Bond. There are many classic throwbacks to earlier Bond films that fans of the earlier films will appreciate.
Skyfall isn’t a continuation from the first two Craig Bond films, it’s almost a reboot itself taking the series in a whole new direction and giving us a look into Bond’s past.
The cinematography and direction are brilliant, filmed in several locations across Europe including Istanbul, London, Macau and the Scottish Highlands. Sam Mendes does a fantastic job creating an action film with emotion. The score is very Bond and there is a soul-stirring opening theme performed by Adele. The opening action sequence before the credits is truly spectacular and will have you on the edge of your seat.
There are some intense and exhilarating action sequences, a particular one involving a subway train that will take your breath away. Bardem shines as a flamboyant and malicious Bond villain who is a traditional Bond film reminiscent of the earlier films and has some really great banter with Bond.
Skyfall succeeds in every way and Craig and Bardem give Oscar worthy performances. Skyfall might just be the best bond film of all time and Daniel Craig may rival Sean Connery as the best James Bond yet. (5/5 stars)
