Skyfall (2012)
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Naomie Harris and Javier Bardem
The relationship between Bond and M is heavily tested while at the same time a threat against MI6 tests Bond to the fullest so that he can destroy the threat.
This is Bond at his best, some classic Bond one liners, cool and smooth. Yes the action might be less than in other Bond films and there might be a lot of talking – remind you of anything cough The Dark Knight Rises cough – but it brings that cool Bond-ness to the big screen and incorporates bits from previous Bond films as well as the blatant product placement throughout. The promoting of Skyfall was indeed massive and seemed to be everywhere including Adele singing the theme and Sky having their own channel dedicated to Bond, Sky Movies 007. Something that makes a Bond film so memorable are the villains, in this case it was Javier Bardem playing Silva, a gay villain who is charming while at the same time quite manic and freaky, perfect for a Bond villain.
On a side note there where some moments of predictability and a couple of things that annoyed me. Why was there no one on the tube when it crashed in rush hour (this is not a spoiler unless you haven’t seen the trailer) and it was lucky, or unlucky in Bond’s case, that there was a random chain on the top of the train near the beginning also I do not feel that the Bond girls where given much screen time or added much to the film.
Recommend
This film really was about Bond and M and their relationship with the quite brilliant Silva thrown in. The film appears to be a new beginning story for James Bond and we know that there will be at least another 2 more starring Daniel Craig. If they are along the same guise as Skyfall then we could be in for some great future films. Given the amount of money that Skyfall has already made at the box office you don’t need me to tell you to go and see this because you probably already have.
The FriedGold rating – 8/10 – Licence to Thrill
Film Fact
At two seconds shy of 143 minutes, this is the second longest Bond movie of all time, the longest being Casino Royale at 144 minutes. The third longest running time for a Bond movie is On Her Majesty’s Secret Service which runs 142 minutes.
thefriedgold 
Couldn’t agree more. Skyfall is all about relationships, the mother of M to the two boys. Although not a direct sequel to Quantum, the way that Craig’s Bond has clearly developed over his three films thus far is impressive, the way that he now has all the traits that we associate with Bond. All the touches were there, so many nods to the previous 50 years without ever being indulgent or clichéd (Brosnan, we look at you) – adjusting the suit, the women, the locations, the villain, the villains lair, the car, the theme tune always played at the right moment, Q, Bond actually in jeopardy….ARGH too much! A very well put together film which kept me on the edge of my seat. Looks amazing too. A must see, definitely one of the top films of the year.
After first 10 minutes I was hoping that someone would kill James Bond and save me from enduring a further 2 hours! No such luck – despite an enormous death count Mr Bond was not one of them. Never again!!!!!
It was off the hook. I couldn’t fault it. While as Kelv says there were many nods to the bonds that went before, this was truly original to the point where the entire third act did not feel bond like at all – it also entered alien territory for the Bond films (as far as I’m aware) of touching on Bond’s past.
Top-notch entertainment, incredible action scenes, beautiful cinematography, a truly sinister villain and great performances all round – all in all left me with a beaming smile on my face. A rare 10/10 from me.