Bond's Full Circle

Rating: 10/10 (10 November 2012)

It took 50 years, but Daniel Craig brought Bond back to Earth and full circle to the original ideas of both the first movies and the books in his latest venture, Skyfall. Silva is a former agent of MI6 and has declared war on the organization and M, played by Judy Dench. Once a 00 himself, he wants a vendetta for her abandoning him. Bond, too, feels somewhat betray as he was hung out to dry by M when trying to recapture a hard drive containing the name of MI6 agents undercover in terrorist cells. The two are tied together. Bond disappears for a short time, only to return when he learns of the first terrorist attack on MI6 and the threat of the security breach. He's not ready, he doesn't trust M, and he's stuffing anger. Eventually, he is reactivated as M and her branch come under heavy scrutiny. She makes her plea because of how the world has lost clear, definite enemies and how they have scurried away into the shade. Silva attempts an assassination of her. Bond then takes it upon himself to protect M in his childhood home, Skyfall. Ever since Bond was re-invented in 2006 with Casino Royale, many people have lamented that Bond changed from their childhood memories of cheesy plots, megalomaniacs, cool gadgets, hot women, and a comic book persona evident ever since You Only Live Twice. Others simply think Bond is a rip-off of the modern Bourne series. Frankly, Bourne goes back to Bond. In the books, and in the first three to four movies, Bond was a ruthless assassin. He was a blunt instrument bent on stopping lethal terrorist forces and the KGB. This is probably the best part of Skyfall: it comes full circle back to the beginning. We meet Q, a young computer expert and arms expert. He's not inventing exploding pens, watches with buzz saws or super magnets, but radios and improving firearms. That is also what Q did in the books. We also meet a Moneypenny - in a round-a-bout way. There are also tips of the hats to other elements of Bond: the classic theme, the Bond entrance into the moving eye, and the best was a cameo appearance of the old Astin Martin in Goldfinger. There is also some depth. For a change there is exploration on the psyche of being a spy - also a theme in the books. And there was also an exploration of where Bond came from - but not too much so we are still left guessing. Finally, the villain, Silva, is not a megalomaniac, but a genius, vindictive egomaniac. His mind is warped by his disfigurement. True, as the villain he wasn't exceptional, but definitely competent. So for those who love the comic book Bond made famous by Moore and Brosnan, then buy those movies and enjoy them to your heart's content. Yes, I enjoyed many of them, but they are pale in comparison to the real James Bond of the books and early movies ... and Skyfall.