Skyfall and Craig Raising the Bar

Rating: 9/10 (12 December 2012)

Skyfall is film number three for Craig. It is a film about aging, poor choices, diplomacy, revenge, and loyalty. It is also about nostalgia. Skyfall is the first film of the Craig series that introduces many of the Bond staples. This is the beginning of the James Bond we have grown to love. The first two movies, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, were mere back story. They were films that let us know why James Bond is the way he is. Skyfall shows us who he will be.
Skyfall stars Daniel Craig (Bond), Judi Dench (M), and Javier Bardem (Silva, a.k.a. the bad guy). Craig is still rough around the edges, a brutal killer with a touch of necessary class. Whereas former Bond actors like Connery and Brosnan made some men think it possible to be like James Bond, Craig dispels that silly notion. He is built like a gymnast and fights like a mixed martial arts animal. Judi Dench is, well, she's Judi Dench. She's a Dame and superb actress. Javier Bardem is an unforgettable villain He's a throwback of the old Bond movies, way over the top, brilliant, and pure evil. However, his portrayal is grounded in realism, which makes him even better.
The film is directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty & Road to Perdition). Mendes's direction keeps the momentum going with Craig. It's written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. They keep the legend alive. The film is action packed with very few slow moments. The story is rich, rounding out the Bond world well. We get a few surprises and back story on some Bond characters of old. Like I said, this is the beginning. It just might be the beginning of the end, though.
I'm not sure how long Craig plans on making Bond films. I hope it's a couple more, at least. For years, actors had to try and fill Sean Connery's shoes. I'll go out on a limb here and say that from now on actors will need to try and fill Daniel Craig's shoes. He has raised the bar to a whole new level.