“The name’s Bond…James Bond”. A classic movie catchphrase that’s lasted 50 years and now 23 films. “Skyfall” is the third Bond film starring Daniel Craig, and the first in four years. Why so long? MGM’s troubles threatened “Skyfall” from getting made. But 007 fans found out last summer that the finished product was well worth the wait.
“Skyfall” begins with a gripping action scene involving Bond and a new Bond girl named Eve (played by Naomie Harris) tracking-down a bad guy. while the two are fighting, Eve has a chance to take a shot, but she could hit Bond instead. M (played for the seventh time by Judi Dench) tells Eve in her ear to go ahead and “take the bloody shot”.
And she does, accidentally hitting Bond, who falls into a river and is presumed dead. And the bad guy gets away with a computer hard-drive that contains all the names and identifications of all agents the British Secret Service has in the field. And that information soon gets into the hands of a former agent named Silva (played by Javier Bardem) who is seeking revenge against M and the entire Mi6 organization.
So Bond, who obviously didn’t die, decides to come out of “retirement” and try to help save his boss and the agency. James is showing his age and there a question as to whether or not he can still get it done as an agent.
Following the well-staged opening scene, “Skyfall” goes into one of the weirdest opening credits sequences I’ve ever seen, which includes the film’s title song, performed by Adele. I guess it’s “Classic Bond”, but it could have easily been cut in half. “Skyfall” is nearly 2:20, so a little editing wouldn’t have hurt one bit.
The movie is divided evenly between dialogue and action. There are several long conversation scenes done in one, continuous shot (I’m always impressed by them), including Silva’s first appearance. But it’s the action that steals the show. There are plenty of gun-battles and explosions. This is a no-holes-barred action film, where you get plenty of bangs for your buck.
But the main storyline in “Skyfall” is not Bond defeating Silva, or the Bond girls (they’re hardly in it), or the gadgets and inside jokes. The core of the film is 007‘s relationship with M, how it began and how it will play-out. This decision is a little chancy – giving us a touchy-feely James Bond – but it works. Craig nails the role of the aging agent, who’s still troubled by his past. He has the great presence and class needed for Bond (and the custom-tailored suits as well). And Dench has some stand-out scenes as a boss who is past her prime, but won’t go down without a fight.
Since this film marks the 50th anniversary of the franchise, “Skyfall” has its fair share of references to classic Bond films, including the return of a certain automobile. And there a couple of surprises. While the film is often exciting, the mood is also quite dark at times, which works with the overall tone of the script.
“Skyfall” is rated PG-13 for the intense action-violence, and some adult language and content. It’s appropriate for teens and up. Yes, it drags a little here and there. But it’s was still one of the best, most sophisticated action films of the year.
On The Official LCJ Report Card, “Skyfall” gets a B+.