One of the best

Rating: Null/10 (22 November 2012)

Casino Royale was a great Bond film. It respected the traditions, but set out immediately to do its own thing. And it succeeded. Then came Quantum of Solace, which wasn't all that good. The plot had no character, the novelty had worn off and it was very forgettable. Gladly this movie managed to rise above its predecessor and resemble Casino Royale more closely in style and substance. It's a great Bond film and a perfect one to celebrate the anniversary.
What I like most about Skyfall and Casino Royale is that they're aware of the deep and rich history, part of which they are about to become, but they refuse to be bound by it. They have their own idea of what the character of James Bond should be like and they don't care if someone doesn't like that idea or would rather see nothing changed. Yet they don't disregard those traditions. Skyfall has all the hallmarks of a proper Bond film from a blazing beginning opening action sequence to the Bond girls and the over the top villain. They're all there, but they're not the main part of the story. They're more of acknowledging and respecting nods than restricting clichés. Though I must say that the few times that the film makers decided to stick with the traditions, it really works. Perhaps the best example is the villain, played by Javier Bardem, who's a contender for the creepiest and most unsettling villain Bond has yet to face. His introductory scene is one of the most brilliant prolonged monologues that I've seen in a long time. He feels like a Bond villain, I can recognize him as a Bond villain, yet he's still a creature of his own making, something slightly new and twisted. A statement, which pretty accurately describes the rest of the film as well.
Not to say that the film is without any flaws, as it isn't perfect. While I praise Bardem's take on the role, the character that he plays isn't developed as well as he could have been. Now he gets an amazing introduction, but then he just sorts of stagnates to a generic kill it because it insulted me once kind of bad guy, who's devoid of any great motives or feelings. He's still not awful, but he could have been better. The same with the third act of the film, which tries to through too much in at the last minute, leaving as scratching our heads in the process. A more leaner, compact storyline would have served the movie better.
Still, as a whole this is a great film. Is it the best Bond yet? Probably not, but it's there in the top five, or at least the top ten. Definitely worth a watch for the fans of both the old and the new.