Review: Skyfall

Plot:  The 23rd edition in the James Bond series finds its titular character (Daniel Craig) broken and wallowing in self imposed exile, following a mission in Turkey that goes horribly wrong.  However, when MI6 and its director M (Judi Dench) are targeted by a mysterious villain named Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem) Bond must come out of retirement to face this new threat.  Along the way Bond encounters a mysterious and beautiful woman named Severine (Berenice Lim Marlohe), meets his new quartermaster Q (Ben Whishaw), and deals with M's possible replacement Gareth Mallory (Ralph Fiennes).  However at only a fraction of his usual readiness will James be up to the task?  Moreover, will he be able to confront his own tortured past?

Review:  Four years after the mediocre Quantum of Solace, Bond fans are finally getting the movie they deserve.  Skyfall is the perfect Bond film.  I didn't think it was possible for anything to top Casino Royale but Skyfall makes Casino Royale look like Moonraker by comparison.  It's just that damn good.  And not just "good for a James Bond film" but it is a near flawless action spy thriller. 
      Although Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace were grittier, edgier, and darker Bond films that I enjoyed, many felt (myself included) that they were lacking some of the essential elements that distinguished James Bond films from other spy thrillers.  Well you can check that desire off your Christmas list.  The Aston Martin car, Q, a few nifty but realistic gadgets, an iconic villain, a revamped MI6, more jokes and double entendres--they're  all here my friends.  Academy Award winning director Sam Mendes (American Beauty) made the excellent choice of incorporating these elements in such a way that doesn't come across as hokey while simultaneously paying homage to past films.  The movie even goes so far as to poke fun at past quirks.  At one point in the movie Q (adroitly played by newcomer Ben Whishaw) tells Bond, "What were you expecting an exploding pen?"  Even the actual meaning of the word "Skyfall" (which I won't reveal) is a nice tip of the cap to the original James Bond, Sean Connery.
     There's a delicate and fine balance between tense action, love, and dialogue scenes that dovetails smoothly throughout the movie.  (Incidentally, the first ten minutes of Skyfall is one of the best opening sequences to a movie I've ever seen.)  Skyfall keeps you engaged throughout its entire 2 and 1/2 hour run time that flies by faster than a bullet from Bond's Walther.  Kudos to the fantastic editing by Stuart Baird and cinematography by Roger Deakins.  Thomas Newman's music, like the rest of the film, is a perfect blend between the old James Bond theme and a modern 21st century sound.
     Judi Dench and Daniel Craig are at the top of their game in Skyfall.  The byplay between the two actors is electrifying.  Dench conveys a bitter resolve and determination to thwart Silva even though she's being blamed for the whole fiasco and being pushed into retirement.  Meanwhile Craig lends a depth to James Bond that's never been seen on the screen before.  Craig portrays a tortured Bond who's still struggling with the tragic events of his childhood, confronted by the fact that he's getting older and losing a step, and in general becoming disenchanted with espionage in general.  Is Craig the best Bond ever?  Hard to say.  But I definitely think he's the most intriguing. 
     The real show stopper of the movie is Academy Award winner Bardem as the truly diabolical Silva.  Not since Joseph Wiseman in the original Bond film Dr. No has there been a villain this captivating.  To put Bardem's performance into words is difficult.  It is so nuanced with equal amounts of maliciousness, creepiness, and guile.  Aside from the opening ten minutes, the most memorable moment in the film is the initial meeting between Bond and Silva.  Just riveting.  Yet there also seems to be a certain amount of sadness about the character that makes you empathize with him even as you are routing for Bond to bring him down.  In some ways Silva is a mirror of what Bond could become, which makes him all the more fascinating.
     Skyfall reminded me why I love going to the movies.  I had an absolute blast throughout and I'm overjoyed that Craig will be back for at least two more films.  Skyfall is quite simply the most fun I've had at the movies in a long time and the best film I've seen this year to date.

My rating:  10/10