You'll laugh, you'll scream, you'll cheer and you'll cry; "Skyfall" has it all.

Rating: 10/10 (10 November 2012)

Even after 50 years, James Bond still has it.
Daniel Craig reprises the iconic role as the world's favorite super-spy in "Skyfall", the 23rd 007 film overall and 3rd to star Craig. The plot follows a decrepit Bond as he has to track down a villainous cyberterrorist, who is targeting MI6.
Right off the bat, this film gets rolling. The opening teaser is arguably the best in the series, with Bond and MI6 operative Eve (Naomie Harris) chasing an assassin (Ola Rapace) through Istanbul by car, motorcycle, and train. Battling the assassin on top of a train, Bond is accidentally shot by Eve, and presumed dead. After M (Judi Dench) finds that MI6 is under attack, the need for Bond is greater than ever.
Sam Mendes directs his action sequences surprisingly well. Mendes has a great way of making every shot, even if it is a boring, long shot of nothing, beautiful and engaging. Part of this goes to cinematographer Roger Deakins, for every single shot if sharp, clear, and beautiful. Bravo to these guys. Great job.
Of course, Daniel Craig kills it as Bond. He just seems to be getting better and better as 007. Javier Bardem is a true monster as the devilish villain Silva, who is rather frightening and disturbingly diabolical. The "Bond girls", Naomie Harris and Berenice Lim Marlohe, are both good, but are rather underused. I understand why they weren't in the movie for a very long period of time, but I can't help but ask for a little bit more screen time for the Bond girls! Ralph Fiennes and Ben Whishaw are both standouts in there supporting roles, with the latter making Q relevant again. Oh, and not to forget Judi Dench, giving her best performance as M since "GoldenEye." She's awesome.
The story, albeit very linear, is actually refreshingly simple after the headache-inducing complexity of "Quantum of Solace". The script does have its imperfections at times, including a third act that has been heavily criticized. I, personally, loved the third act. Yes, it is a bit flimsy, but the action and intensity overshadow the logic. (NOTE: All you die-hard Bond fans out there, be looking for all the subtle references to other adventures in this. Its full of easter eggs)
THE VERDICT "Skyfall" is a memorable and action-packed film. It is most definitely the best film of 2012 since "TDKR". Filled with snappy dialogue, a great story, and a lead performance that you're likely not to forget, "Skyfall" is the best Bond ever.