The first Bond film with a legitimate shot at a Best Picture nomination.

Rating: Null/10 (9 November 2012)

Bond is back in the most spectacular fashion imaginable. In his 3rd outing as Bond, Daniel Craig now owns the role and is likely to have it for as long as he wants it. Director Sam Mendes, an Oscar winner for "American Beauty" has given us the best Bond film since "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". Bond has never been so human. Mendes's background as a theater director serves his especially well here with the spectacular entrance of the best Bond villain ever, Silva, played brilliantly by Javier Bardem. He also reintroduces the classic Aston Martin DB5 in another brilliant entrance. Judi Dench as M does her best work in the role and her final scene is one of the most poignant in the series history. Lest we forget this is a Bond film and as such has its share of great action sequences, the highlight being the best precredit sequence in series history. Ben Whishaw makes a delightfully droll "Q" and the final scene is utter perfection. This is one of the best films of the year and may be the first Bond film with a legitimate shot at a Best Picture nomination.