An Incredible Film

Rating: 10/10 (16 November 2012)

Skyfall, the latest 007 film, is an incredible film and a nonstop thrill ride. It arrives on 50 years after, Connery first entered as Bond in Doctor No. It is a fantastic film, gifted with a superb plot, exciting action, and phenomenal acting. Its theme, of loyal and betrayal are intense and helped created a film which is epic in scope, but one that feels intensely personal.
The opening sequence in exotic Istanbul sets the tone for the film. In it Bond and Eve, a fellow MI6 agent, pursue a target who has stolen a encrypted flash drive containing information vital to MI6 and western intelligence in general. The exciting chase takes place on the streets of Istanbul, along with the roofs. It is brilliantly choreographed as Bond transitions from car, to motorcycle, and finishes in a life or death struggle atop a moving train. In the end disaster occurs. M orders Eve to take a risky shot, which results in Bond being shot and falling 50 feet from a bridge into deep water to a presumed death. The shot of Bond falling is an intense image, even if you have seen the trailer, it is shocking and sets the tone for the rest of the film.
The titles sequence is another masterfully made part of the film. It is filled with omens an images of death such as skulls, grave, and deadly weapons. A sequence in a hall of mirrors where Bond shoots his reflection and one where Bond shoots his shadow are brilliant and artful. Throughout the sequence, Adele's theme song leaves us sitting on the edge of our seat. It is one of the few title sequences I am sure I will watch all the way through when Skyfall makes its way to DVD.
The plot of the film is excellent. MI6 falls under attack from a cyber terrorist, Rauol Silva, who is a figure from M's past. M's leadership of the agency is called into question just as Silva executes a daring plot, using his computer skills to set off a Bond in the MI6 headquarters. One of the films most powerful images is M standing solemnly in a room filled with coffins covered with Union Jacks. Bond returns to service out of loyalty to M, but the Bond that comes back is different from the one who left. No longer clean shave, Bond's hands shake when he fires a gun, and he struggles physically and mentally to recover from the experiences he has been through. Though she is not sure of Bond's readiness, M sends her to find Silva. The relationship between M and Bond is deeper that ever before as secrets from her past come back to haunt her and MI6. The mission is a dangerous one, with twists and turns a plenty, but it grabs hold of you and never lets go.
The acting in this film is incredible. Daniel Craig owns the screen as Bond. He shows us the strengths and weakness of a complex character. He also has great chemistry with the other actors and he brings more banter to the part than in his other two outings. Judi Dench is magnificent as M. Though she has always been formidable in the role, she raises the bar again. She displays the toughness of a boss, willing to sacrifice her agents to achieve her goals, yet she also shows the vulnerability of a character whose time maybe coming to end. No one shines brighter in Skyfall than Javier Bardem who plays the villain with a giddy flamboyance but never seems ridiculous. Looking truly unique with his blonde hairdo, Bardem creates a complex villain, one who is sure to take his place among the all time bond greats. His entrance in the film, in which he strides towards a tied up Bond while relating a story about rats eating each other, is mesmerizing. He brings back suave to the Bond villain, which Quantum sorely lacked. Yet he is also able to appear creepy and darkly menacing. He is a mix of new villains and old. He is a cyber terrorist yet he is ruthless and willing to pull the trigger, as he brutally shows Bond. The rest of the supporting cast is incredible.
The complex themes of loyalty and betrayal helped make the film relevant and powerful. In addition, Mendes asks the bold question of whether M and Bond are relevant any longer. Yet the incredible story and intense action prove that Bond isn't going anywhere and that perhaps his new adventures can match his old ones. Well done 007. Nobody does it better.