Like Phoenix, he rises!!

Rating: 10/10 (1 November 2012)

Damn Jason Bourne. Damn the Dark Knight. How could be anyone naïve enough to compare them with this guy? Many believe that a layer of dust has settled over the antiquated spy. Many believe that he is incongruous, quite irrelevant, in modern times. Many believe that the toy gadgets are a passé. They believe they no longer require this spy who they deem as masochist, misogynist, heartless trigger happy lecher. They feel that it's time to retire Mr. Bond. But they quite forget – Bond is not just another spy. Bond is a yearning. A human being's yearning that he is not just another guy who plays by the rules of the world – but a guy who makes the rule of the world. A yearning for that almost superhuman skills, a yearning to win against all odds, a yearning for those fast cars, a yearning for that adrenaline rush, a yearning for that sweet but dangerous company of the fairer sex. Plane crashes? Yah. Nuclear disasters? I want it! A maniacal dictator? Bring it on. Mister Sarcasm, you may not like Mr. Bond. But your flesh would turn mottled green, your eyes will be eaten out by worms, everything but your bones would survive as you decompose in your grave, but one thing is pretty sure. Mr. James Bond would be quite alive and kicking asses. "SKYFALL" says just that. Do I think this is the best Bond movie ever? I of course do. It gave me just what I needed a Bond movie to give me. Exotic Locales. Dangerous, deviant and deformed psychopaths. The chases (car, train, bikes – your call!) that no other movie can match. But this time it gives something more!!! The movie goes back in time where it belonged. Bond doesn't need makeover. He doesn't need to toady to the blank, unemotional, fly by the day, rogue agents like Jason Bourne. All the three Bourne movies (I didn't watch the fourth) were just the same. Though I may have liked the movies, but they hardly have that Bond charm. I never really understood why we Indians like all things British when it comes to their entertainment quota. At least I do. Be it Sherlock Holmes, Harry Potter or in this case Mr. James Bond. The movie packs a powerful punch in the face of all its critics. Oh, I could have given you the details of the plots and sub-plots, but there ain't no fun like watching it! The world today isn't exactly divided in black and white. There is no sharp boundary that separates good from evil. The villains are difficult to nab. The world is difficult to control. And that is exactly why we need to shake off that smote of dust that has settled over the antiquated spy. That is exactly why we need to reintroduce such incongruity back – because that's what that makes it more distinct. The toy gadgets maybe a passé, but the trigger-happy spy is not. He would dance on the blade of sword. He would pounce upon the enemies of the state who thrust a needle in his eyes, he is ready to bear the inhuman torture that his enemies may deliver. He is ready to stake his life against all odds just for Her Majesty's Secret Service. The demons of today's world are more hell-bent on destroying the world, the pessimism about its future prospects all the more pervasive. But a sliver of light shines at the end of a circular tunnel (more like a camera lens). Do I see a man in a black suit? He may no longer like Vodka Martini that is 'Shaken, not stirred', he may not play around the exploding pens anymore. But he is still there, standing – the epitome of all things superhuman. He has raised his gun. Hold your breath. He fires. A bullet whirrs past covering drenching everyone and everything in red. You know his name, don't you? He is Bond, James Bond.