Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Sam Mendes, Columbia Pictures and MGM, M 143 Minutes.
The year 2012 marked the 50th Anniversary of the exciting exploits of the highly popular British secret service agent James Bond played by the first Bond the late Sir Sean Connery and penned by renowned English author Ian Fleming in 1962.
In ‘Skyfall’ Daniel Craig returns, as the supreme secret agent 007, in the 23rd adaptation of the series making it by far one of the best Bond movies ever made.
Distinct from previous directors famed filmmaker Sam Mendes (American Beauty) has revitalised the spy character like never before providing a fascinating insight into his past and shooting a spectacular action-packed scene as part of the opening sequence.
As the movie opens Bond is on top of a fast-moving train chasing a mercenary in possession of a list of British agents who is then shot by agent Eve (Naomie Harris – ‘Spectre’) at the insistent of M (Judi Dench).
Due to M’s failure to retrieve the list-besides bungling the operation that involved the apparent killing of Bond she is told by her boss Mallory (Ralph Fiennes – ‘Coriolanus’) that she should now retire which she rejects out of hand.
M is then shocked to see the bombing of her agency’s headquarters by former mad agent Silva (Javier Bardem – ‘Biutiful’) bearing a great grudge and determined to exact his revenge by getting rid of her for past transgressions against him.
The bombing sees Bond returning to the fray only to be captured by Silva and in a scene stealer with the movie’s main villain when Bond is asked what he is seeking he responds with the telling word “resurrection”.
Despite showing some interest in new Bond girls Eve and sultry Severine (French actress Berenice Marlohe), Bond’s prime focus is protecting M against the paranoid intentions of Silva which ultimately leads to both a surprising and thrilling conclusion.
Apart from Craig delivering one of the best performances of the British secret agent character there is Bardem’s perfect portrayal of the tragic madman Silva, there are the enjoyable portrayals by Dench, Fiennes and a new Q played by Ben Whishaw (‘The Tempest’) especially Albert Finney (‘Bourne Legacy’) as groundkeeper Kincade for Bond’s family home.
Despite the comparisons being made between the great Connery and Craig, on who is the best Bond, it is Mendes’ masterful direction that differentiates ‘Skyfall’ from previous Bond movies, making it a fitting tribute for the special anniversary of the franchise.
Skyfall is being televised on 9GO at 8.45pm on Saturday 28 November
Vic’s Verdict: 4 ½ Stars
