One of the best Bond movies, and for me Daniel Craig's best outing

Rating: 10/10 (27 October 2012)

I have a fondness for James Bond and for most of the movies. My favourite Bond is Sean Connery and my personal favourite Bond film is Goldfinger. To cut to the chase I do like Daniel Craig as Bond, he is very charismatic and has truly magnetic eyes. Skyfall for me is his best outing, I liked Casino Royale and didn't care at all for Quantum of Solace, and one of the best of the series. Craig himself is spot on, both of the qualities I mentioned are here, and he brings to the role charm and sophistication yet ruthlessness and grit, paying homage to all the Bonds before him. Craig is not the only actor in the cast who impresses. Albert Finney is always watchable and here is no exception, and Naomie Harris is very alluring. It was nice to see Ralph Fiennes too, who I've always liked and in recent years I have wished that there were roles that played to his strengths rather than waste them and thankfully his performance displays the former.
Even better are Judi Dench and Javier Bardem. Dench is outstanding as M, who is more complex than she is before, then again I wasn't surprised as she has always set a high standard in everything she's been in. Silva I don't think is quite in the same league as Goldfinger, Blofeld, Rosa Klebb and Jaws, but more than holds his own, as he is ruthless and always has a plan. Almost reminiscent of a lecherous and somewhat campy Hannibal Lector, Bardem has all the best lines and brings a sinister edge to his performance. I have always had a fondness for the Bond girls especially Pussy Galore, Solitaire, Vesper Lynde and Elektra King. Severine is a worthy Bond girl, enigmatic and the very meaning of glamorous.
Skyfall is the epitome of class in every other way as well. The cinematography is very polished, while the scenery is breathtaking. Anybody expecting action scenes that will leave you on the edge of your seat, you will not be disappointed, as the pre-credits sequence in the Grand Baszar(Istanbul) is truly thrilling. Fans will also love the inclusion of the original Astin Martin DB5. Like with Craig's performance, it was another successful homage to the previous Bond movies. Sam Mendes as director was a risk, his directing could either have been great or awful. But it was a risk that paid off, as Mendes keeps everything perfectly, having a style that plays to his forte while incorporating the classic Bond elements to great effect.
He is helped further by a hugely compelling story, the action is beautifully judged but what was also special was how human the drama felt. Even the Brosnan films or the previous two Craig outings didn't have the complex relationship between Bond and M, that is done to intense and moving measures. The ending was a complete surprise, in a shocking and heart-rending way. The theme song was also wonderful, maybe not quite classic status like the those of Goldfinger, From Russia With Love, Diamonds are Forever and On Her Majesty's Secret Service but infinitely better than those of Die Another Day, Quantum of Solace and Octopussy. Singer Adele sings meaningfully, and it is on the whole very emotionally charged, which I loved.
The score is also excellent, John Barry it isn't, then again I wasn't expecting it to be at that standard. It succeeds on bringing the right amount of thrills, pathos and jauntiness. And to top it off, the script is very intelligently and wittily written, Bardem has the best of them but everybody has lines to care about without coming across as questionable. Overall, a triumphant Bond outing in every way, after Quantum of Solace I was dubious but after a film this good I have no need to worry now. 10/10 Bethany Cox