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007, Adele, Daniel Craig, entertainment, Film Review, Films, James Bond, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, m, Naomie Harris, Q, Sam Mendes, Skyfall
Bond is back, and this time instead of battling a suave international ring of villains he is up against a much more personal advisory.
The opening sequence of Skyfall is a fantastic chase over the rooftops of Istanbul, with 007 (Daniel Craig) in heavy pursuit of an unknown vital source of information. Bond’s glamorous and sassy colleague Eve (Naomie Harris) tries to keep up and finally has to make a difficult decision when M (Judi Dench) gives the green light.
But after the turbulent start of the film the plot becomes more personal. We are given insight in to Bonds psyche, his relationship with M and his origins. However the main storyline circles around M, the original Bond Girl, who not only treats her 00-boys mean but keeps them keen too, ensuring fierce loyalty but triggering underlying resentment as a result of it. And when it suits her needs she disposes her boys with little concern of their health or safety.
A creation of M’s behaviour is the chilling villain Silva (Javier Bardem), an ex-agent whose feelings towards M are a delicate balance of lust, hate, love, envy and revenge. And because the only thing standing between him and M is Bond, Silva begins the hunt on 007, who is older, more ragged and not in best form.
Skyfall is not only beautifully shoot by director Sam Mendes, but he also manages to give Bond a modern twist for his 50th anniversary. Ben Whishaw as Q represents the age of the geek, and as M explains to her critics the enemy is no longer a country but invisible, hidden in the shadows.
And never before has 007 been so relatable nor has the script ever been so funny, filled with sarcastically dry one-lines and dripping with British black humour. Mendes has given the oldest film franchise on the planet a facelift, and from the opening chase in Istanbul until the final shootout in the Scottish Highlands there isn’t a dull moment. Skyfall is a thoroughly enjoyable movie and Craig’s best Bond film by far, possibly even the best Bond film to date.
jensinewall 