Skyfall - Most memorable Bond movie in this century!

Rating: 9/10 (1 November 2012)

The cold war came and went, technology has undergone a sea change and the very definition of entertainment has changed, but here is an interesting data point- the Ipad 3 survived 6 months, James Bond 007 on the other hand has managed 600 months. And with @Skyfall, it seems he is good for 600 more as the movie is smart, savvy and surprisingly believable- good enough to restore life back into the franchise after the shameful Quantum of Solace.
Who is James Bond? What do we know of him besides that that he is the occasional kiss kiss and the more frequent bang bang assassin working for the government? It has taken 50 years, 23 movies and an incredibly sharp director in Sam Mendes to delve into Bond's back-story, his origins, conjure up enough slam bam action in exotic locations and tie it in with a plot that is eerily realistic in today's world, cyber- terrorism. Skyfall does a dangerous tightrope act just right- on one hand it has enough campiness, cheesy one-liners, gadgets, car chases, femme fatales to keep old fans happy, and enough gritty action, intensity and a foreboding sense of mortality with a continued dose of bullheadedness that is the signature of Daniel Craig's Bond to keep the new fans satiated. Skyfall additionally boasts of some out of the world cinematography by Roger Deakins, sports one of the most mentally unhinged villains of the franchise in Javier Bardem's Raoul Silva, and like Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy, is about endings as well as new beginnings.
More of a personal battle this time round for Bond as an ex MI6 operative turned dangerous cyber terrorist Silva trains his guns on the only woman Bond has in his life and is really attached to- Judi Dench's M. In a brilliantly shot opening chase sequence involving super motards, Land Rover Defenders, Turkish rooftops and trains, Bond is shot by his own team and left for dead. Bond and Silva have similar backgrounds and similar mommy issues- but the latter when put in a similar situation takes it out on his ex-employers while Bond understands the rationale behind M allowing him to be sacrificed, and rallies to defend her against all odds. This is Craig's most effective outing since his chart busting debut in Casino Royale 6 years back. With due respect to Bonds of yore, wisecracking is certainly not up his alley, but as an action star and an incredibly buff Bond, he has no parallels. Judi Dench signs out in motherly style, and Ben Wishaw as the new Q is excellent- he in many ways is the pajamas wearing equivalent of Craig- brash and prone to making mistakes, yet brilliant and geeky. Ralph Fiennes is classy in a small role in Skyfall but lots of promise in future movies (wink wink). The ladies Naomi Harris and Bernice Marlohe remain serviceable eye candy, but its always a good thing for a movie when the villain is exceptional. Javier Bardem channelizes his own deadpan terror Anton Chigurh from No Country For Old Men, along with a bit of Heath Ledger's crazy cool sociopath Joker for a scene-stealing act as the suicidal Raoul Silva who literally loves M to death.
What further sets Skyfall apart from the usual Bond movies is the third act, shot in beautiful, haunting Scotland, and has deep linkages to Bond's past- this part of the movie plays out like a taut thriller, a stakeout, a final stand by one old man and a woman along with our hero against an army adept at using both guns and the system. Speaking of beauty, globe trotting is a given in the franchise, but never has it been so pretty- the neons of Shanghai, the glitter of Macau, the lively walls of Istanbul, even a komodo dragon infested fight-pit are so beautiful that they are distracting- and that IS a compliment. Just note how shadows and light has been used to give a graphic novel feel to the entire production.
Bottomline-Skyfall is just what you expect from a Bond movie- it is not a mindless actioner, nor a slow paced thriller. He gets to drive cool cars, he gets the girls, uses his license to kill and does all that with style. The Walther PPK is there, as there is the Aston DB5 and shaken martini. There is incredible acting talent, mind blowing action, gorgeous photography and an epic soundtrack. In the hands of a true auteur even cheesy can be made beautiful and involving- take a bow, Sam Mendes. There is camp to complement grit, intelligence and sensitivity to complement visual glory. Standing the test of time admirably then you are, Mr. Bond. Eagerly looking forward to your future adventures- 9/10