The Best Bond Film Since "Goldfinger"

Rating: 10/10 (11 November 2012)

The year 2012 marks the 50th Anniversary of "Dr. No", the movie that kicked off the James Bond film franchise. It was a relatively low-key spy thriller compared to what was to come. 40 years later, most fans would agree, the gadgets, stunts, and special effects of "Die Another Day" had become so over the top that it seemed like the series was starting to parody itself.
"Casino Royale" ditched the clichés and started from scratch, introducing Daniel Craig as a young James Bond just licensed to kill. The movie took a fresh, character-based approach to the series. This approach is continued in Daniel Craig's third and best take on the character, "Skyfall." Just as Sean Connery and Roger Moore (arguably) hit their strides with their third Bond movies ("Goldfinger" and "The Spy Who Loved Me", respectively), Daniel Craig now seems to be settling comfortably into the role.
While Daniel Craig still gives Bond the rough-around-the-edges qualities that distinguish his take on the role, he picks the right moments to channel the actors that have played the role before him. He's still able to show angst in the movie's dramatic moments, he also has that wry half-smile while taking out enemies and that satisfied smirk while seducing beautiful women that Sean Connery had, and he's finally comfortable enough to toss out a few one-liners worthy of Roger Moore. Though his delivery is so wonderfully dry that you almost don't realize they're puns.
The movie starts with an opening sequences worthy of the tradition, an action-packed chase scene involving guns, Range Rovers, motorcycles, and speeding trains through Turkey. This climaxes in Bond's supposed death when his backup sniper accidentally hits him, knocking him off the tracks into the water below. After the main titles (one of the most bizarre credit sequences in Bond history, but also one of the most effective) it turns out Bond is taking advantage of being presumed dead to try and get out of the spy game. Until he learns someone is targeting the organization he worked for.
Javier Bardem's villain, a flamboyant bleach blonde, is probably the most memorable since the classic days of Auric Goldfinger and Dr. No. He's introduced with one of the best evil monologues ever, and every scene he's in after that is totally chilling. Berenice Lem Marlohe and Naomie Harris are this movie's Bond girls, and while Marlohe's Severine is one of the most stunning Bond girls in ages and Harris' Eve is one of Bond's savviest sidekicks, their roles are both inconsequential compared to the true female lead. That would be Judi Dench as M. While the relationship between Bond and his superior has been explored more in Daniel Craig's Bond movies than ever before, here it's pushed front and center, forming the movie's emotional core, driving most of the plot, and making M a major player rather than just a character to provide exposition, showcasing Dench's talents as an actress.
Sam Mendes manages to keep a personal, dramatic atmosphere through the entire movie, but still work in jaw-dropping action sequences. Unlike "Quantum of Solace", they're thankfully filmed in a steadier, more traditional manner. The movie's also very well paced: despite being one of the longest entries in the series, the action moves briskly and the story never drags. And Mendes and the rest of the "Skyfall" crew manage to avoid the clichés while still including Bond's trademarks. There's a new Q, in the form of the young Ben Whishaw. In a fresh new take on the character, when Bond seems disappointed by how practical the gadgets are, the young tech whiz responds, "Expecting exploding pens? We don't really go in for that sort of thing anymore." The gadgets bring to mind the earliest Bond movies, where it came as a surprise when Bond was able to use his equipment, unlike later movies, in which the situations that called for the gadgets were so specific you could make a checklist of them in Q's scene and then check them off as Bond used them. There are one or two other familiar characters that pop up as well, in ways that manage to feel both classic and fresh. And Ralph Fiennes brings charisma and gravitas to his role as M's new handler.
"Skyfall" is definitely a Bond movie for modern times. It's the first time a character (Judi Dench, no less) drops an "F-bomb" and the first time a bad guy actually makes a pass at 007.
Like the 40th Anniversary, "Skyfall" is filled with references to what's come before. Unlike "Die Another Day", where the plot line seemed like a flimsy excuse to hang inside jokes on, in "Skyfall" the references are much more sly and subtle, and the story's actually sharp enough to support them, so long-time fans can smile while there's still plenty for newcomers to enjoy, even as the throwbacks go over their heads.
There are a few missteps. After all, what Bond movie's been perfect since the Connery days? After some awesome action scenes, the climax seems to be taking a page from a totally different play book, and some of the characters' motivations and actions don't hold up to scrutiny. But overall, the mix of drama, action, and humor make "Skyfall" one of the best Bond movies of the entire series. It skillfully ushers in what's sure to be another new beginning for the series, and, back in fine form, I'm excited that "James Bond will return."