MOVIE REVIEW - Skyfall

This is the 50th anniversary of James Bond movies.   What a milestone when you think about it. An incredible franchise that has endured the decades, the actors, the times, and styles of movie making. This is installment number 23.

Skyfall is the latest Bond flick with Daniel Craig again in the lead role.   Full disclosure, I am a Bond fan, but I am not blind to the fact that there have been good and bad Bond actors, as well as good, not so good, and a few bad Bond movies.  But Skyfall is a darn good Bond movie.

One of the really unique things about Bond movies is that they operate outside of the Hollywood system to a degree.  Bond movies are virtually never talked about at Oscar time, and they seem separate from the rest of the movies at the box office.  Bond movies only seem to be compared to other Bond movies. And that's some of the fun.  They are kind of an event, as opposed to simply a movie.

Skyfall has done what all good Bond flicks do.  They are action packed, exciting and create a really sinister and deplorable villain.  This time it's Javier Bardem as "Silver."   Silver is an ex-MI6 agent that has now gone horribly rogue.  He is an international terrorist who uses technology to carry out terrorist acts of all kinds all over the world from a remote island.   He is ruthless, brutal and highly immoral.   He is out to kill M from MI6, and is targeting the agency in general.

Bond is thought to be dead, but obviously is not.  He "comes back from the dead", and reports for duty to go after Silver.  Although there are questions about Bonds age, and his competence.   The Secret Agent business is young man's game.  Does Bond have enough left to be the Bond we need him to be?  And can he again save the world?   

Skyfall is amazingly exciting, with wonderfully done action scenes.   The opening action sequence is fantastic as most are in Bond flicks.   But this is above most.   Even though Craig is a different kind of Bond as opposed to previous, these movies still have a thin line of fun and lightheartedness throughout. He is far more serious as Bond and does play it closer to the vest.  But Craig is great. I am a big fan of him in this role, who in time will be tough to replace.

Bardem is sensational.   He is one of the most underrated actors out there.  He was amazing as the villain in No Country For Old Men, (he won the Oscar), and he is just as good here.   Silver is a deeply complex character that you never really figure out, and that is his strength as a character.  Silver is wonderfully written.   Great supporting cast with Ralph Fiennes, Judi Dench, and some new and re-casted characters will give this franchise a nice relaunch of sorts.

Adele wrote and performs the new theme song to Skyfall, as it is a throwback to Bond themes past. It helps set the tone for this movie right after the terrific opening action sequence.  Well done.  There is a lot to like about this movie in general from start to finish.  One of the really great things about this movie in particular is that it walks a fine line of not talking exclusive to hard care Bond fans.  If you're new to Bond, you can jump in pretty quick.  And it does make you want to learn more about Bond movies.  It is quite inviting.

Skyfall.  Extraordinary that this franchise has transcended all this time.   Extremely entertaining.   Just what movies should be. A real fun ride. Very good.