Skyfall review

Sévérine: What do you know? 
James Bond: Well, it takes a certain type of woman to wear a backless dress with a Beretta 70 strapped to her thigh. 

Director: Sam Mendes
(2012)

Let’s face facts; Daniel Craig’s last outing as the iconic James Bond was an utter disappointment. Coming after the incredible Casino Royale, Quantum of solace felt like a cheap imitation rather than a successor to Martin Campbell’s 2006 007 reinvention. After Bond studio MGM sorted out there financial troubles, we have been given something of a return to form in Skyfall, helmed by the ace Sam Mendes. Not only is Skyfall a fine film to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the franchise, it’s also one of the best films of 2012.

Opening with a fast paced, if slightly underwhelming chase through the streets of Istanbul, its clear that Mendes’ Bond means business. After leaping between train carriages and then getting shot unintentionally by fellow field agent Eve (Naomi Harris), Bond is presumed dead. Resurfacing after a terrorist attack, Bond must track down the missing hard drive which possesses the names of all agents that are undercover in terrorist organisations. Thematically, there's much emphasis on technology, with the question of “how relevant are field agents in this day and age?” being asked on a frequent basis. From a pistol that only Bond can fire to a super villain who can control almost anything using his computer, it certainly makes for an interesting topic to explore. Hell, we even get the return of gadget master and computer whiz Q (Ben Whitshaw) to further cement the importance of technology in modern espionage.

In terms of style, Skyfall sits between the realism of Casino Royale and the unpredictability of Quantum of Solace. What we have is a grounded film that likes to add spice to proceedings with motorcycle races across rooftops and fights in Komodo dragon pit. Despite this occasional silliness, Skyfall boasts some impressive set pieces, placed perfectly to augment the storytelling. Shootouts, chases and hand to hand brawls feature prominently, and are mostly well shot and gripping affairs. The films standout set piece is easily a shootout in a courtroom, a perfect concoction of suspense and action, captured and edited perfectly. This is helped tremendously by the talents of cinematographer Roger Deakins who is easily one of the finest in his field of expertise. Skyfall is quite easily the best that a James Bond film has ever looked; the use of lighting being a particularly impressive feat that is worthy of all the praise that it deserves.

Much like Casino Royale, Skyfall also possesses some fine performances. Craig is still a fantastic Bond, and while not the best in the series history, he certainly does a fantastic job of portraying Bonds charm and brutality. Judi Dench reprises the role of M, once again giving a great performance, something that holds even more importance considering her important part in the story of the film. Our 2 bond girls, Eve (Harris) and Sévérine (Bérénice Marlohe) are something of a revelation. While Harris is solid and Marlohe is merely a pretty face, what Mendes does with them was intriguing and unexpected. But the real scene stealer goes to Silva (Javier Bardem), the villain of the piece. Making his grand entrance in a gorgeous, unbroken shot, he is utterly engrossing to watch. Armed with a camp accent and a terrible haircut, Bardem imbues him with such hidden malevolence, his feigned sexual desire towards Bond more threatening than its initial appearance. Bardem was exquisite in 2007’s No Country for Old Men, a level of quality that he almost equals once again in 2012.

Still, Mendes hasn’t got everything right in this instalment  While the action is good, the CGI is absolutely dire. Looking like it has been spat out from the 90’s, it’s an immersion shattering detraction from the high production values of the rest of the film. The plot is flimsy too, sending our protagonists from location to location based on half facts and unlikely outcomes. While some are more severe than others, they nonetheless reek of sloppy writing, though I doubt those Bond fans who’ve been waiting for the series to recover since Quantum of Solace will mind.

8