Skyfall (2012)

Genre

Action | Thriller

Director

Sam Mendes

Country

UK | USA

Cast

Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Lim Marlohe, Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw, Rory Kinnear, Ola Rapace

Storyline

Returned to service after being presumed dead, James Bond's (Daniel Craig) loyalty to M (Judi Dench) is tested as 007 must stop Silva (Javier Bardem), a former MI6 agent seeking for revenge. 

Opinion

"Don't leave me hanging on like a yo-yo" goes a famous song, and this is exactly how I've been feeling lately with the James Bond series: one good film, one bad film, another good film, another bad film. This pattern keeps on repeating with Sam Mendes's "Skyfall", a thrilling, gripping film that is a real pleasure to watch.

Once again, the main reason this film is a winner is the writing. Absolutely brilliant for a James Bond flick. While it is quite simple and revolves around the stealing of a hard drive containing the identities of every secret agent embedded in terrorist organizations, the story flows smoothly and the pace is just spot on. Also, it does deliver something other than action: it shows how dangerous can computers be as they can be used as a weapon for security breaches.

But the plot is not all, and not even the best part of the film. The best part is the villain. Boy, they've finally found someone that knows how to write a proper villain. Finally the bad guy isn't some megalomaniac who wants either conquer or destroy the entire world, with some crazy technological item you wouldn't even see in a science fiction movie, but he is just a man driven by hate and seeking for revenge.

Also this James Bond is not the same, old James. He is almost a complete different man. We get to know him better, we get to know his past, and he is tested, especially psychologically, from both enemies and friends. His seducer nature almost disappears to leave room for a feeling that could be the one felt by a son towards his mother.

"Skyfall" is also an incredible action film, with spectacular sequences perfectly timed, and it also can claim one of the best theme songs in the whole series, Adele's "Skyfall".

Last but not least, the acting. Daniel Craig once again proves he is a great James Bond, wonderfully portraying this new 007. Judi Dench does a good job as M, and handles her role - involved both in the action and the story - very well. But nobody beats Javier Bardem. He is simply spectacular as usual, and his Silva is arguably one of the best Bond villains ever.