Skyfall - A Masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (24 October 2012)

So, last night sitting in the Royal Albert Hall and literally trembling with excitement... the MGM lion roared... Two hours and twenty five minutes practically flew by.
Hyperbole aside, Skyfall is a bonafide masterpiece.
Whilst most are familiar with the capsule synopsis that's been floating around since late last year (which really doesn't need to be repeated AGAIN), the decision to mine the relationship between Bond and M is a masterstroke. Judi Dench and Daniel Craig have unbelievable chemistry together (you utterly believe they've been working day-in-day-out together for years), and the banter they share as they set off on their redemptive journey together is the beating heart of the film.
Emotionally, this is the most mature of any of the Bond films, and draws upon some of the greatest (yet curiously overlooked) Bond moments. There are shrewd elements of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Licence To Kill and The World Is Not Enough in Skyfall's DNA, and the central relationship between Bond and at this point a mother figure of an M (who he will mercilessly kill to protect) is beautifully realised. Suffice to say the final act in which Bond and M face their fears and demons is *shattering* in every sense of the word and lifts the film into the highest echelons of the series.
Of course, the rest of the cast are every bit as brilliant as the press reviews have stated. Javier Bardem turns in frankly an award-worthy performance as Raoul Silva. Not in memory has there been a Bond villain whose determination is as terrifying as his character. Silva is alternately camp, hilarious and horrifying. His screen time is admittedly limited, but he makes every gesture, word and action count tenfold. His introduction is just sublime, modulating between flirtatious, businesslike and viciously brutal with as little as an eye movement. Naomie Harris and Berenice Marlohe bring a refreshing touch to the Bond girl routine, actually adding presence rather than simply visual appeal. The new MI6 crew are also a HIGHLY welcome addition. Ben Whishaw clearly had a hoot in the role of the 21st century Q (his interactions with Bond are one of the many highlights) and Ralph Fiennes seems born to fit into the MI6/Bond world.
There will *certainly* be those who will balk at the fact Skyfall doesn't cling ultra-tight to the Bond formula. Well, thank God for that! Sam Mendes and the writing team intelligently pull the conventions apart, before reassembling them just enough to be recognisable (with a satisfying wink) to the fans but not enough to alienate newcomers to the franchise. The film is primarily a 'buddy movie' of sorts, but a captivating one that exhibits all of the best parts of Bond fitting around a riveting political/spy thriller whose central Wikileaks-esque story is ripped from the headlines.
It's the Bond film I've always been waiting for - and hopefully the team behind it aren't planning on a single collaborative effort. Skyfall is something very special. A cursory look around the room saw faces contorted in rage, horror and devastation, but also the undercurrent of humour generated a thunderous round of applause whenever skillfully applied. Judi Dench and Daniel Craig give BLISTERING performances (a finest hour for them both) and I only hope some of the more priggish award ceremonies actually pay attention to that fact this time.
An unashamed 10/10. Skyfall will be a LEGENDARY Bond film. Without question.