Movie Review: Skyfall

Skyfall is the twenty-third film in the James Bond film series. In this new film, Bond returns to the silver screen after about a 4-year gap, after its predecessor, Quantum of Solace, in 2008. Continuing his role as the licensed-to-kill MI6 agent 007, Danial Craig steals the spotlight yet again in his 3rd Bond film.

Continuing the legacy that is 007, this new installment starts off with a chase through the streets, and rooftops, of Istanbul, leading Bond and his partner Eve (Naomie Harris) atop a moving train, trying to apprehend a thief with an important MI6 hard drive. After the long chase, Eve, taking a risky shot to kill the theif, misguides the shot and shoots Bond instead, knocking him into the depths of the sea. After recovering from the wound and settling into a life away from MI6, Bond is suddenly pulled back into the life of espionage when MI6 Headquarters is attacked and the head of MI6, M's (Judi Dench) life is threatened. After completing the necessary tests to go back into duty, Bond travels to Shanghai to stop the same thief from Istanbul from assassinating his target. Failing to stop the assassination, Bond kills the thief and travels to a casino in Macau, where he meets Sévérine (Bérénice Lim Marlohe), who witnessed the assassination. Together, they both travel to an abandoned island where they are captured by Sévérine's employer, Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem), who was a former MI6 agent who had previously worked under M and now was out for revenge.

After escaping the island and capturing Silva, 007 returns to MI6 where he, along with Q (Ben Whishaw) try to decrypt Silva's laptop, but in the process, allow Silva to escape into the London tunnel system. After pursuing Silva all the way to M's location at a public hearing, Bond prevents him from killing M and takes her to his childhood home in Scotland for protection. There, a final showdown between Bond and Silva's men occurs, leaving Bond's home in flames and Silva with a knife in his back. 

After seeing this, all I have to say is three words: Best Bond Ever. Skyfall was an amazing film to jump-start a new decade of 007. Returning as Bond, Danial Craig was as amazing as ever as he geared up to put the Bond back in James Bond with his serious yet humorous portrayal as the suave British spy. When I was growing up, Pierce Brosnan portrayed the MI6 agent, and even though I didn't see him in the theater, I still grew up liking him as James Bond. Later as I grew up, I watched most of the other 007 films like Dr. No, The Spy Who Loved Me, and all of the Brosnan Bond films. Then, in 2006, when I saw Casino Royale, I quickly favored Danial Craig as the new Bond. I had always liked Craig from his work in films like Cowboys & Aliens and The Golden Compass, but now after starring in two amazing Bond films, I knew he'd once again own up to his character well in Skyfall.  

One thing I loved in this film was, as always, the gripping action scenes. From motorbike chases through the rooftops of Turkey to the massive demolition of Bond's childhood home, I stayed on the edge of my seat throughout the film, awaiting every action scene as they came. One of my favorite scenes was probably the "final showdown", as I like to call it, which took place at Bond's childhood home, Skyfall, in Scotland (I guess that's where they got the title from). I like this scene because, as Silva's men invaded the residence, Bond, along with a trusty gamekeeper, Kincade, set up booby traps such as explosives in the floorboards and exploding light fixtures (Thanks to M's handy-word). I also loved this scene because it featured one thing that they needed in every Bond film...The Aston Martin DB5. The car first appearing in Goldfinger, soon became one of the most famous vehicles in the James Bond film series. Now, back in action, Bond retrieves the car to better conceal him and M after they escape from Silva's attack. Equipped with its' classic features like the ejector seat and twin firing front machine guns, Bond takes the Martin out off the 60's and brings it to present day to aid him in battle.

Skyfall was a gripping, thrill-ride that took you back into the classic life of espionage that is James Bond. If you were upset with the fact that Bond wasn't Bond anymore, then you might just change your mind once you see all the classic things they've thrown back into the modern 007 (Spoiler: Moneypenny's back!)

I gave Skyfall a 9 out of 10 because, like most movie lovers, I've come to love the new Bond, without forgetting its' roots from the start with the talented Sean Connery as the first James Bond. This film had great action, a great cast (Love the new Q, by the way), and one amazing villain (Nice teeth, ha ha).