It was rumored over the last two years that the Bond series was in trouble and after 22 films and nearly five decades, the end of Bond would have been heartbreaking. Daniel Craig's bond was a different cut from Sean Connery, Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan. He was meaner and less capable of making fun of himself. The Bond series has always adapted with the culture and the current situation of the world, but the current world wasn't ready to make light of terrorism.
Bond always was more than gadgets and action. He seemed to do his job with a smile and cockiness that somebody who knew they were gonna win would wear. Well, thank goodness that the 23rd film of the series was made and this year, 2012, is the 50th anniversary of the longest running and most successful film franchise. "Skyfall" proves that it is much deserved.
The moment that the movie begins, you hear that hint of the familiar Bond theme song and the most ejects you into a breathtaking, intense and amazingly filmed chase scene. Nothing needs to be explained. With the words of M (Judi Dench), nestled away at England's Mi6, you understand the importance of the target. It was an early sign that the screenplay was going to be spectacular. As good as the opening sequence is, it is a shadow of what the movie holds for its viewers.
One of the most amazing things about "Skyfall" is how quality of an action movie it is. The Director, Sam Mendes, had done smaller movies like "American Beauty", "Road to Perdition", "Revolutionary Road" and "Away We Go", but "Skyfall" is a whole other entity. Possibly the use of Mendes was a highly successful attempt to not only get a beautifully filmed movie and a quality one, but also a Bond grounded in reality. Never once did the movie exceed that realm of possibility. Bond doesn't leap off of a cliff and jump into a plummeting helicopter, or slide on a motorcycle under a helicopter blade chopping into the ground or do anything superhuman. He's a man and the first thing that ruins a good action movie is an audience member who roles their eyes.
The effects are real. The stunt work is top notch. Daniel Craig, in fact, did a lot of his own stunts, adding to the films realism. The screenplay is fantastic and rich like a Bond movie should be. The Director, Mendes, may have not done much action in his career, but I have a feeling he may have just added a new wrinkle to his resume.
Easily, "Skyfall" is the best movie that Daniel Craig has been in and if you forget about the fact that 1962's "Dr. No", 1964's "Goldfinger" or Roger Moore's best "The Spy Who Loved Me", had less technology to work with and still made great films, "Skyfall" is the best of the entire series. Then to take it a bit further, it may be the best action movie since "Die Hard", "Indiana Jones" or "Lethal Weapon". Like those films, "Skyfall" proves that keeping action movies grounded in reality and letting the audience know the man behind it, with all his flaws and quirks is a winning combination. Don't miss it.
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