Bloody Brilliant!

Rating: 10/10 (29 November 2012)

Loved it, loved it, loved it! I had my doubts after watching the debacle that was Quantum of Solace, but I absolutely loved Skyfall. I think Skyfall is possibly my favourite of the Bond movies so far. I know purists out there are going to lynch me for not choosing one of the Connery-era films, but the fact is I didn't grow up watching Connery, I grew up with Roger Moore as Bond, so I never got to know the classic Bond. What I like most about the Daniel Craig Bond movies is that they are a lot more realistic, unlike the Moore and Brosnan ones. The crises in the Craig-era movies can actually happen in our reality (some might actually be happening right now) which makes it scary. I think the choice of director really made a difference here; Mendes has that good balance of visual flair, attention to character and story, and keeping the action tight and intense (a la Bourne). While Solace director Marc Foster is more suited to the smaller, intimate, agenda-driven dramas. Craig is on usual good form, I like Craig as Bond because we can relate to him; he puts on a tough demeanour, but his eyes betray his vulnerability. Judy Dench does a great job as M; I'm glad she gets more to do in Skyfall than just bark orders at Bond and covering his arse. Another sigh of relief is how subdued the women are in Skyfall. Usually the women take up too much screen time and are there just for eye-candy, although as a guy I love that, but it's very distracting! Javier Bardem is on creepy mode that makes his Chigurh character in No Country for Old Men seem tame by comparison; here's a guy who's actually a threat with brains and brawn to match. Ultimately, it's bloody brilliant!