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Directed by: Sam Mendes
Starring: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench and Naomie Harris
What It’s About: Agent 007 must stop a rogue MI6 agent from destroying the agency as his relationship to M is put to test.
Rated PG-13 (for intense violent sequences throughout, some sexuality, language and smoking)
Runtime: 143 minutes
By Aaron Sanders, Diversions Editor
16 November 2012
The aged James Bond movie franchise has never been particularly enticing to the average moviegoer. Each Bond film is eagerly anticipated by the legions of “Bond-hards” while the rest of the population remains indifferent. However, with the induction of the Daniel Craig Bond films (Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace), the franchise has begun to pique public interest in addition to the built-in fan base. Craig’s latest outing as the deadly MI6 agent in Skyfall proves that under the superhero persona that is James Bond, there is a damaged man.
Skyfall hits the ground running with James Bond in Istanbul chasing an assassin who has stolen an MI6 database containing the identity of every agent embedded in terrorist organizations across the globe. Alongside his new partner Eve (Naomie Harris), Bond engages in an impressive opening chase sequence, which reaches its climax with the accidental shooting of the agent and his apparent death. Following the agent’s untimely death, there is the expected displacement of M (Dame Judi Dench) and a terrorist attack on MI6 by Silva (performed superbly by Javiar Bardem), an ex-MI6 agent who has a personal vendetta against M. The attempted assassination of M pulls a presumed dead Bond out of hiding and back into action.
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Academy Award-winning director Sam Mendes brings a dramatis to his first big-budget film with a masterful flare that makes Skyfall the best-made Bond film of the Craig Trilogy.
I highly recommend seeing this film in IMAX or any other large-format presentation. Skyfall is undoubtedly the most aesthetically pleasing film of the franchise. Mendes employs a grounded, The Dark Knight-esque cinematographic style that gives the film an overwhelmingly epic feel.
Like Christopher Nolan’s Batman saga, Skyfall explores the darkness in our hero and does so with a humanity that is so unheard of in James Bond films. The complicated and poignant relationship between Bond and his employer M is at the center of everything and in the latter portion of the film that relationship is inspected in a pilgrimage to Bond’s origin. M also acts as a bridge between Bond and the big baddie Silva. One sensual encounter in particular is sure to be (and has been) noted as one of the most hilarious lines of the year.
Daniel Craig portrays the coveted role of James Bond in a way unseen in Casino Royale and the underwhelming Quantum of Solace. Any doubts about Craig as Bond are shattered as he proves the beloved character is in good hands.
Unfortunately, the intimate plot and explosive set pieces do not offset the frequent dull patches. I found myself dozing off in between the brief sequences of excitement, specifically in the middle part of the film. The script desperately needed some pizazz to keep those unfamiliar with the lore engaged.
There are also some scenes that fall in the “Prometheus illogical” category. Take for instance the scene when Eve accidently shoots Bond, letting the assailant escape with the crucial intel. Okay, now why would you risk killing your top agent when you know Bond (who is visibly winning) will kill the bad guy? And why does Eve’s rifle only have one bullet? She could have easily killed the assassin even after shooting Bond, but of course then there would be no movie. Why doesn’t Silva just kill M during one of the many chances he has to do so? Again, that would end the movie, so I suppose it is excusable.
Skyfall is a high-caliber entertainment experience. From the impressive set- pieces to the beautiful cinematography, the film exceeds expectations. While not without its faults, Skyfall ranks up there with this year’s The Dark Knight Rises and The Avengers in terms of sheer awesomeness. If you are not a certified Bond fan, now is the time to give him a chance and I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
9/10