Review: "Skyfall"

Image © Columbia Pictures and MGM

After 22 films, the James Bond franchise is a known commodity. That's exactly why some fans enjoy it. I wouldn't blame the filmmakers if they simply relied on a parade of beautiful women, tuxedos, martinis -- shaken, not stirred -- and the famous Aston Martin to land a few hundred million buck for the series' 50th Anniversary. Toss in a few action scenes and call it a day, right? Luckily, while all of those ingredients are included, this series is not simply reheating the same old dish for moviegoers. With excellent direction by Sam Mendes, and a terrific script by John Logan, Neal Purvis, and Robert Wade, Skyfall is able to pay homage to the familiar while creating something that also feels fresh.

Shot and left for dead at the beginning of the film, Bond (Daniel Craig) returns after three months of self-imposed exile, still battered and broken; the physical toll of being a double-o is starting to show. Once cleared for duty, Bond must track down the man responsible for a recent bombing on MI-6 Headquarters, a man who is targeting not just the British Secret Service, but M (Judi Dench) herself.

M falls under heavy scrutiny after her people lose a computer drive that contains a top secret list of NATO agents that isn't supposed to exist. Agents are dying left and right; she needs Bond more than ever, but he isn't exactly in top form, which gives the film much of its tension. The character of M and her relationship with Bond has been an important part of this current run of films, and Judi Dench has helped define the Craig era much more than she ever did with Brosnan. She and Daniel Craig play off each other well and, in many ways, it's as much her movie this time as it is his.

Javier Bardem plays the villainous Silva, a brilliant and creepy Bond-baddie seeking revenge for something that happened years before. Bardem turns in an outstanding performance that easily ranks among the series' best. His introduction in the film -- a long, slow take as Silva walks (towards camera) across a large room talking about rats and coconuts -- is one of Skyfall's most memorable scenes.

This film marks the return of Q Branch, played here by a fresh-faced Ben Whishaw. Don't expect a lot of gadgets, however, as this version of Q is a computer whiz kid who quips to Bond, "I can do more in my pajamas before finishing my first cup of Earl Grey than you can do in a year out in the field." In keeping with the series' tradition, the two characters have a playful, slightly antagonistic rapport, and it's a welcome return to the franchise.

The rest of the supporting players are all fantastic, including Naomie Harris as a British agent working with 007; Berenice Marlohe as the beautiful Severine, who may or may not be working with Silva; Ralph Fiennes as M's new bureaucratic watchdog; and Albert Finney, who drops in for a small, but important role near the end of the film. The filmmakers have gone to great lengths to ensure that these characters are fleshed out, making it the richest, most character-driven film in the series.

It's also the best looking James Bond film ever, courtesy of cinematographer-extraordinaire, Roger Deakins, who shot No Country For Old Men and worked with Mendes on two previous films (Jarhead, Revolutionary Road). Deakins understands that part of the appeal of the series is the exotic locations, and he gives each setting its own look and feel, from the cool, electric blue of Shanghai to the fiery glow of Macao.

There's plenty of terrific action in Skyfall also. While the action scenes are not quite as dynamic as in Casino Royale, they are considerably better than the choppy Quantum of Solace. From the opening scene -- an exciting chase through Istanbul -- to a thrilling ending that is unlike any previous Bond finale, there is plenty to keep you on the edge of your seat.

If you're looking for a posh victory lap, with a 007 who never gets his hair mussed, this isn't going to be your type of Bond experience. But, if you crave something a bit fresher, deeper, and more emotionally satisfying, Skyfall is worth the price of (an IMAX) admission.



"Setting the Frame" Film Grade = A