a changing Bond - interesting and self reflexive

Rating: 8/10 (14 March 2014)

A lot of people have been disappointed by the change of tone in the last few Bond films. They say, it is too far away from the original, classic tone of the Bond series. 007 is not the old fashioned agent anymore, who cares more about women and about the way the barkeeper fixes his Martini, than about his job. He has become a cold killer, an almost robot-like fighter. Physical limits don't seem to apply to him. The plot of Skyfall is pompous and - if you want to be fussy - pretty unrealistic. I tend to agree with all this. But then, this Bond film is much more than just an espionage thriller. It is a complex and self- reflexive movie. More of a a cinematic statement than just another action thriller.
The universe of Skyfall is a universe where the borders between good and bad are not always clear. It is a universe where the "old" Bond has to die and a "new" Bond has to undergo a process of self-discovery. It is a universe where even the MI 6 cannot do as it pleases anymore. It is a world where good cannot always win and where the happy ending is not necessarily happy. I is a world that changes, a world turned upside down. The action sequences are beautiful, the allusions to older Bond films are fun, Javier Bardem is probably the best Bond villain ever and the final showdown is the quintessence of all Bond movie showdowns.
So, yes. If you expect a classic Bond you will be completely disappointed. But if you want to go on an interesting and critical ride through Bond history you should not miss this movie. And maybe you will understand why Bond has to change.