It's won me over

Rating: 9/10 (2 April 2015)

I'm one of those people who despises Daniel Craig's 'Bond era.' Not because I don't like him as an actor, or that I think he isn't the right man to play Bond. It's because I pine for the old days of loads of over-the-top gadgets, silly stunts and cheeky witticisms, delivered with a wry smile (or a raised eyebrow). In short, I liked pre-Craig Bonds.
I watched both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace and barely considered them entries in the Bond franchise, yet I still came back for more and watched Skyfall.
I'm glad I did. Bond is back. Yes, it was still gritty with a fairy revolutionary narrative structure (well, for a Bond film, anyway), but they've finally got round to inputting a little bit more humour in there. I'm not talking about gags all the way, but the (re)introduction of Q and Moneypenny are long overdue, as - like always - they play their part in verbally sparring with Bond (and sometimes putting him in his place). Plus the film-makers seemed to have remembered to play the 'Bond theme' a lot more. I felt this certainly helps remind me that I'm not watching just another 'Bourne' film starring Matt Damon or that other bloke who took over.
Basically, I won't go into details about the plot too much. If you don't know already, it's not about someone in a volcano lair, trying to take over the world. If anything, it's much smaller, but better with it. It certainly brings global terrorism down to a personal level.
Skyfall is definitely the best of the (new) Bonds. Long may it continue in this style.
(I still miss John Cleese though).