Film Review: Skyfall

"Bond.....James Bond."

There is not a single movie goer, casual or hardcore, that does not know that name or his code number, 007. And after 50 years and 23 sequels later, he returns in one of the best films of the entire series.

Skyfall starts off in typical Bond fashion, on a mission in Istanbul in pursuit of a mercenary alongside new MI6 Field Agent Eve. The mercenary in question has stolen a hard drive containing the names of all currently undercover agents so it is vital for James to retrieve the drive in order to keep those identities safe. The chase ensues eventually making its way atop a train where Bond and Patrice fight, in an attempt to aid her partner, Eve grabs an Assault Rifle and takes aim at the two men however amidst a moving train and two agents throwing punches, she misses her mark and shoots her partner who falls into a river below. The mission fails with the drive in terrorist hands and an agent presumably dead....

However as we know in Hollywood that is never the case as Daniel Craig returns, not just in narrative but also in portrayal as the famous British Secret Service Agent. Craig's Bond is aging and that is certainly explored in the plot, with the new Q and Ms. Moneypenny, played respectively by Ben Winshaw and Naomie Harris, being mere kids compared to Bond. James is not the only character dealing with age as M played by Dame Judi Dench is gearing towards retirement. Daniel Craig is at his best portrayal yet in the role trading in the arrogant newly appointed Double-0 Agent in Casino Royale or the hell bent on revenge lover in Quantum of Solace for a more aged, cynical and depressed personality. Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva draws similarities between Hannibal Lecter and Heath Ledger's Joker finally gives the Craig-era a memorable villain. Ben Winshaw as Q brings the classic Q and Bond banter back with a more youthful flair. Berenice Marlohe as the film's lead "Bond Girl" gives a very Xenia Onatopp-esque performance to a very short and somewhat wasted role as Severine. As far as "Bond Girls" go, many would argue that the films true "Bond Girl" would be M. Dame Dench gives her final outing as Bond's Senior and MI6 Head a truly memorable one with more overlying undertones of a Mother-Son relationship between Bond and M.

Visually this was one of the most beautifully shot films of the year, from the entire sequence in Shanghai to the third act at Skyfall Lodge to one of the final shots of James overlooking the rooftops of Britain, provides some of the best cinematography of 2012 and in the entire franchise. If fans of the series claim that Sean Connery's best film was Goldfinger and Pierce Brosnan's was Goldeneye then Skyfall is certainly Daniel Craig's best film yet as he has signed on for another two films. Casual movie goers will not have need to have seen the previous 2 films before seeing this one as unlike Quantum of  Solace being a direct sequel to Casino Royale, Skyfall is a completely new storyline and a new beginning for the Craig era. Longtime fans willl appreciate the elements and callbacks to previous films such as bringing back the classic Aston Martin DB5, Bond giving information "For her eye's only" or the playful banter with Moneypenny in what is a classic 007 film set in a modern age.