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[PierceConneryMoore]

There’s a moment of dialogue in Skyfall that for me, defines the James Bond franchise and who James Bond is. When strapped to a chair, Bond (Daniel Craig) tells the blond-haired Silva (Javier Bardem) “everyone needs a hobby!” “So what’s yours,” Silva replies. Bond’s response:”Resurrection!” Since Dr.No in 1962, 007 has had many ups and downs, but when skeptics said the Bond franchise was dead, it always came roaring back. When Bond has been strapped to a board with a laser ready to split him in half or trapped on a small island ready to be eaten by crocodiles or skied off a cliff seeming to be going to his death or is getting his genitals beaten badly, he’s a man that has survived and defeated the seemingly undefeatable.

50 years after the first time the white dots moved across the screen, Skyfall is the 23rd official Bond film and due to the historic anniversary cleverly has nods to the past, while at the same being very 21st century and believing that the best is yet to come for the famous British agent. Skyfall is a seminal Bond film and with all the hype behind it, it didn’t disappoint. Oscar winner Sam Mendes does a great job with action scenes, but also lets the Bond character develop in ways he hasn’t before with Daniel Craig really make it work with such a terrific performance.

At the very start, Bond and field agent Eve (Naomie Harris) are on the hunt for a flashdrive filled with the names of various agents around the world. At a critical moment, M (the great Judi Dench) orders Eve to take a difficult shot that ends up hitting Bond and knocking him into a river where he’s presumed dead. When MI6 is attacked through computers and various agents are dead, Bond returns in much worse shape than he was. He fails the tests required for field duty, but with no one else to turn to, M sends Bond to Shanghai to follow the man who took the flashdrive. It’s over an hour in until Bond comes face to face with Raoul Silva, a fellow agent who has a vendetta against M and a possible hard-on for Bond.

Skyfall is a big, bright, but also smart Bond film. Much thanks to a very talented crew. Director Sam Mendes proves a great choice for this Bond film and brings with him other talent. Roger Deakins does some of the best cinematography of any Bond film, particularly a fight scene in front of bright neon lights. Along with Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, Oscar nominee John Logan joins in and clearly his addition must’ve improved the script. He’s already signed on write the next 2 Bond films. Also joining is composer Thomas Newman, replacing traditional Bond composer David Arnold. He gives the film the right score that accompanies action scenes with distracting from them, but breaks out the famous James Bond theme at just the right moments.

Daniel Craig returns for the third time in the iconic role and gives the character more of a soul than every before. He’s a Bond who has been broken down physically and mentally and makes it convincing in a way that makes the audience care. He’s the best since Connery and since he’s signed on for at least 2 more movies, the franchise will be quite ok for awhile. The supporting cast contains multiple Oscar winners. Judi Dench returns as M with the biggest and most important role she’s had yet. She’s practically the Bond girl of this movie. With his bright blonde hair and creepy smile, Javier Bardem gives one of the best Bond villain performances of all time and has some unforgettable and surprising moments. In smaller roles, Ralph Fiennes plays Gareth Mallory, an Intelligence boss who questions M’s ability to the job and Albert Finney is Kincade, a lodge owner from Bond’s childhood. Also notable is Ben Whishaw as the new Q with some witty dialogue with a more mature Bond and Naomie Harris as Eve, who will probably be returning in future Bond films.

After watching all 22 Bond films in order leading up to its release, Skyfall was a great way to cap it off. But at the same time, I’m not ready to rank it on the Bond list. All the movies I’ve watched various times and as much as I truly enjoyed it, it’s simply too early to know where it will be placed. What I can say is that it’s a big improvement over the disappointing Quantum Of Solace and finishes establishing Craig’s Bond with strength in the way that Casino Royale started. Well acted, well written, well directed and with a great theme song by Adele, Skyfall never gets boring and ends with a satisfying set up for future Bond films. It’s a great way to celebrate 50 years of Bond and when the screen proclaims “James Bond Will Return”, it’s a huge comfort to Bond fans and to movielovers everywhere.