agile blockbuster with depth and style

Rating: 10/10 (7 November 2012)

What do we expect from a Bond film? Above all, we expect the self-satisfied aura of invincibility the titular character exudes and a parade of dazzling consumable goods (women included). Generally speaking Bond films are bad even when they are good; stale.
Since Daniel Craig took the role the general idea seemed to be dragging the franchise and its hero into a brave new world, with Skyfall they succeed third time lucky (Casino Royale was in many ways excellent but dragging too much baggage from the past it narratively veered from episodic melodrama to gratuitous sadism not knowing quite what it was doing in the end)
What makes Skyfall different? The boldness of the narrative vision, the dramatic presence of Craig, the balance between humor and pathos, the brilliant cinematography, the weight of the cast... In all areas Skyfall is a departure from our expectations while still remaining the story of James Bond: a daring British spy pitted against a master criminal with action, romance, drama and humor; all the expected ingredients are present, except the staleness which is replaced with true excitement, a welcome sense of danger, and suspense.
The director Sam Mendes deserves special mention for his versatility which helps the whole film gel and gives us a classic film which is bound to finish as one of the biggest blockbusters of the year.
The Avengers gave a similar buzz of fresh popular cinema earlier this year and exceeded expectations, even for a much-hyped super-production, I think this will be a definite turning point for the Bond franchise.