Shaken but just not the right recipe and ingredients

Rating: 7/10 (3 November 2012)

With a bond movie, one can never go into the hall wanting more of the same yet also hoping for something unique and spectacular in each edition. Skyfall is an attempt to stir up something different as a genre within Bond series but for me it fails to leave any sort of indelible imprint. Right from the opening trademark action sequence, you are left hoping fervently that as the script turns the corner something more gripping, more slick, more intense, laden with twists and turns would emerge. Sadly nothing of that sort happens and it ploughs through all the usual windings . Bond going missing, checking in again, crossing paths with a mysterious exotic woman. There is a heavy role for M and it is a strong performance by the Dame as contours of a tumultuous relationship between M and Bond is set out. Daniel Craig grows older and grows into the Bond role with ease and a more humane persona is presented to the audience. Someone who is still fit yet shown with his foibles. He is no more just suave but someone who is also weary, resigned and yet a soldier and patriot. In the end, there is no standout moment, there is no pulse racing sequence, no smouldering exchanges with a strong lady character, nothing by way of a script that makes you think even a fraction. It does have some soul by way of certain relationships, by way of a rather uncharacteristic villain and Javier Bardem is superb and very assured. A word about the Bond women. Berenice Marlohe is beautiful in a not so usual way and hence I feel that she has just been marginalised and there could have been a lot more for her in this movie. Naomie Harris is a bit of a stereotype and again exchanges involving her can just about make you smile feebly. Just as the opening, the climax is very staid "bad guys lay siege and chase the good ones outnumbered and holed up behind the lines" and as movies closes, we are plain and simple assured of another Bond sequel and just as I started the movie and was hoping for something spectacular to emerge at every bend, I simple longed for something more and better as the credits rolled on..Maybe next time - Bond Loyalist.