Skyfall Review (by The Bondaholic)

James Bond has been absent from cinemas for a long four years. From the very first ten seconds of Skyfall the audience knows that Bond is back! and bigger and better than ever. Skyfall released last weekend marks and celebrates the fifth anniversary of the James Bond film franchise, and it once again proves that Bond is still going strong and is the world greatest and most famous secret agent.. (Sorry Austin Powers).

Audiences last saw Bond four years ago in the very disappointing Quantum Of Solace. Skyfall on the other hand strips away the rubbish that some of the other Bond films hold and it takes us back the the classic Bond that fans remember, bringing back the magical Bond formula with women, cars, gadgets and more. Skyfall is the second longest running Bond film so far, and it is also one of the best. Along with it's incredibly assembled cast, it's fantastic sound and stunning action sequences, the hats must go off to Roger Deakins - head of cinematography. His amazing work showcases Bond expertly through spectacular lighting and imagery and an almost masterpiece sequence during a Shanghai fight, with various reflections, lights and silhouettes fighting across a blistering skyline.

You will leave the cinema 'shaken and stirred' as Bond is again established as not the worlds most famous spy, but also a movie icon. The film may have also jumped aboard the Oscars boat too - with deserving winners in all of the categories. Now, through reviewing a Bond film there is no other way to do it without relating to the special Bond formula which ridicules and features in almost every Bond film ion the franchise. Firstly...

The title sequences of a James Bond film is important. Is sets the film up, its expectations, it must be climatic and spectacular, and not always related to the movie, perhaps something completely irrelevant. Skyfall is no exception to this standard and it is as good as the famous Goldfinger pre-titles. From the very moment the screen fades and Bond appears, and the Bond sound everybody knows that Bond is back. The film opens to Bond on a mission hunting for a hard-drive, a special hard-drive containing names of all secret agents embedded in terrorist networks across the globe. A frightful lose if fallen into the wrong hands. Showing the blend of humour and sophistication the pre-title sequence leads to a classy and spectacular action sequence with car chases, bike chases and a train fight. This sets the bar very high on the film- and this is probably where the action peaks in the film - although the rest of the films action is also a very high standard.

Released a few weeks before the films release 'Skyfall' performed by Adele is the perfect Bond theme for the modern 21st century. It is a classy Bond song that has probably not been this good since Shirley Bassey took the stage countless years ago. The theme, sang beautifully by Adele, whom has had numerous other number one singles is done perfectly. In the background of her vocals is a tangy piano Bond theme. Along with the strings, orchestra and her vocals the song hits an 'All Time High'. Daniel Craig in an interview said that 'he cried' when he first heard the song and it fitted the film so well. Yes! it is literally that good!

The film builds up to the revealing of the villain, the entire plot has been leading to it. Whilst not being revealed until over an hour into the film he makes a grand entrance - walking from the back of the frame to the foreground, giving an infamous speech from his past, about rats being trapped in a barrel. Something that is related to later in the film. 'Silva' portrayed by Javier Bardem gives an Oscar worthy performance as a menacing character from M's distant past. His performance and his character equals that of the Joker from The Dark Knight. Bardem, who has previously won an Oscar for his villainous role in 'No Country For Old Men' does an equally as good, if not better performance. He is the first memorable Bond villain in decades, up in the ranks of Goldfinger and Scaramanga, especially in the way his plan is unveiled to Bond. His character has almost came from Fleming's origins with his distinguishing foreign background, has a historic past relating to that of the story, but also his hidden deformality, presenting him as even more of a psychopathic villain. He is greatly feared and even his mention sets people that know him trembling.

Holding two Bond girls the film goes back to the womanizing Bond that we used to know. Berenice Marlohe plays character Severine. One of the most beautiful Bond girls for quite some time. Whilst not having a memorable name such as Pussy Galore, she has the same elements that previous Bond girls has had, almost a damsel in distress that Bond helps. Seen in the film for around half an hour in some of the best scene she Berenice does a noteworthy performance. Alongside Bond in his missions is Naomi Harris' character, portraying the character 'Eve'. She assists Bond in the pre-title sequence and is used as quite an element through the whole film, with her strong performance it will be exciting to see her return in later films..

Whilst being absent from Daniel Craig's previous two Bond flicks both Quartermaster and Q-Branch has made formidable return. Portrayed by a younger actor Ben Wilshaw he brings the majority of humour to the film - and showing the same relationship that Bond had with Desmond Llewelyn's Q in the past. Whilst there is no jetpacks issued the gadgets that Bond gets are still noteworthy and all fit into the films plot well. Not Christmas for Bond fans (or Bond), but with his return in future Bond films we can expect much more exciting tricks and treats from Ben Wilshaw.

Around the third act of the film, the famous Aston Martin DB5, the franchises most famous car arrives once again. With the classy Bond theme in the background, each time of my viewing of this film audiences around me all gasp in awe and the car continues to stand as one of the worlds best cars. With it's gadget ridden accessories and the nods to other movies it was great to see the car back in use.

The film goes above and beyond to bring us some of the greatest film locations. Like the Bond that we used to know he travels to various exotic locations abroad which are literally stunning and a great cinematic feel. Beginning in Istanbul, a location that has been used in several other films this time of the film year too (Taken 2 & Argo), the sequences filmed here are fantastic showing the architectural structures and employing them into the script, such as bridges, tunnels and even roofs. Later in the film Bond is in Shanghai, somewhere that has not been visited in a Bond movie before. It turns out to be extraordinary sequences here, showcasing the magnificent skyline and bright lights this part of the film is fantastic and one of the best parts of the film, as well as one of the best locations Bond has ever visited. However the majority of the the film is set in Great Britain. Which is great to see as this is a British film and to be film on British soil is just an added extra. From the busy streets of London and the London Underground to the furtherest reach of Scotland all of the scenes done were spectacular showing of all of our British heritage.

Thomas Newman takes over from the contemporary David Arnold on producing the soundtrack and score. Bringing a slight electro feel to the franchise Newman still manages to control the Bond theme and action thwart throughout the film. However not being as memorable as any of any of John Barry's scores or as the Bond theme being used almost constantly throughout Casino Royale the soundtrack still strikes the right areas and suites the films atmosphere.

Daniel Craig's third outing of Bond is probably he best as he now seems fluxuating in the role and more relaxed, just like Connery was by the time he got to Goldfinger. His performance is strong, very controlled and shows Bond in various transformations. Just like 'The Dark Knight Rises' released a few months prior to this film Bond like Batman is broken, he is not how he used to be and he must get back in the game. This is done very well and demonstrates Sam Mendes sense of direction superbly. Daniel Craig is able to sport the stubble throughout the film controllably, the second time in a franchise we see Bond with anything more than cleanly shaven. In a later part of the film, in the Scottish locations we see Bond's parent's gravestones, which felt like a very Christopher Nolan-Esq moment, illustrating that Bond is also a orphan cinema hero, along the ranks of superheroes like Batman and Spiderman. Daniel Craig's impersonation of Bond in this movie touches on areas of Connery, in terms of his woman tolerance. Roger Moore in terms of his humour on the London underground; And Dalton with the ruthless-ness and grittiness. Craig proves himself as the all around great Bond actor.

'M' portrayed by Dame Judi Dench is fantastic, in which is definitely her best performance in her entire film career. With the main plot of the film being illustrated around her characters past, she features in the film more that she ever has, not just cooped up in an office. She has strictness and yet emotion and her character is played upon greatly in the film. In various scenes with Bond she is shown as the mother figure that Bond never had. Something that was a nice touch into the franchise.

Making his first appearance into the series as Gareth Mallory, the new chief of intelligence committee - Ralph Fiennes, best known for his portrayal of he who will not be named in the Harry Potter series enters Skyfall. Now ageing towards fifty he is the character that the MI6 has almost been missing for quite some years. His strong performance showing his profession of politics as well as field operative is suppressive and he is a character that will be treasured in the next Bond films to come.

Skyfall is everything that you would want from a 21st century Bond. With the internationally assembled incredible cast, stunning visuals and great sound the entire film holds a worthy place among the other 'best bond films category'. Congratulations to director Sam Mendes for creating not just a great Bond film, but a great film overall. I have seen it a total of three times so far and I have loved it each an every time.