Skyfall

If there's one gripe about Bond films, it is the lack of characters. Most films feel like action sequences interwoven with the barest minimum of a story involving international intrigue. This is a formula that's served the franchise well for over 50 years now. However, in recent times with Casino Royale and now, Skyfall, character development is suddenly quite important to the cannon.

After the disappointing Quantum Of Solace, EON went back to Sam Mendes and gave him the reigns to helm the next one. Rocked by cash flow problems, the production was quite troubled and took it's fair time to get started. Daniel Craig reprised his role as Bond while a host of the Bond cannon regulars returned such as Q (Ben Whishaw) and Moneypenny (Naomie Harris).

The story begins with Bond and Eve (Naomie Harris) chasing a mercenary, Patrice who has stolen a hard drive containing details of all undercover agents inserted by NATO in terrorist organisations around the world. This doesn't end well as Bond is mistakenly shot and presumed dead, while the names of the agents are revealed on YouTube. Bond however, returns and follows his usual around the world in 2 hours routine by dropping off to Shanghai and Macau in search of Patrice. He learns that the main player behind all this is Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem), an old Mi-6 man who has his own personal axe to grind with M (Judi Dench).The film oscillates from London and then on to Skyfall estate, the place where Bond grew up.

The direction is assured and thankfully doesn't have the jerkiness that plagued Quantum of Solace. The theme of cyber terrorism is well chosen and fantastically dealt with. Javier Bardem is stunning and the most memorable Bond villain for quite, quite some time. The suave brutality he brings to the table is a welcome change and one we are thankful for as Bond would be nothing if it weren't for his villains.

M (Judi Dench) has her biggest role of the series yet and she pulls it off with nonchalance. There is this world weary look in her lined face as the realities of the decisions she has had to make have made immune to what we would call human sensibilities. Moments abound that make you marvel at her command of her character, be it her quoting Tennyson at a public hearing or ruthless decision making that could see one of her agents killed.

Daniel Craig is again fantastic and brings that vastly human factor despite being ruthless when he must. Having seen all the Bond films, I am well placed to make a judgement and frankly, Craig deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Connery and when he is done, that might yet be elevated.

Above all, there is a distinctly different aura at work in the film that sets it apart from the 22 before it. Sam Mendes must be given credit but so must Neal Purvis, John Logan and Robert Wade who pull off a miracle of sorts by coming up with an action packed story that allows for an emotional undercurrent. In what could be truly regarded as a rarity in the Bond cannon, the characters are afforded time and space for development which works like a charm.

There are also small nods to Bond's history with his origins being explored and ironic humour such as Q's "Were you expecting an exploding pen? We don't really go in for that anymore" and Bond driving M around in a Aston Martin DB 5 from well, Goldfinger. The shot of the tombstone of his parents is also immensely poignant to anyone who's bothered to read the books.

While being a huge, huge fan of James Bond and having religiously followed all his adventures, I will admit that it had started to feel a bit old and grossly irrelevant. But, Casino Royale and more so, Skyfall has made Bond relevant again. 

So much so, that this isn't just a good film, it’s a bloody good film

                                                                      Trailer : Skyfall