Bond is back on his A game in Skyfall (By: Fred Cholowski)
Skyfall
A+
A review by Frederick Cholowski
Welcome back Mr. Bond.
After the dismal Quantum of Solace, MGM going bankrupt, and a script rewrite or two, the most recognizable spy in modern Western culture returns just in time for his fiftieth anniversary on the big screen. Skyfall represents as close to the perfect Bond film as possible, with throwbacks to the old while keeping the staples of the new. If it weren’t for my personal favorite Bond film Casino Royale, it wouldn’t be hard to proclaim this the best Bond film since the 1960’s. Even so Skyfall is easily amongst the absolute best of Bond, and the best pure action film of the year.
Skyfall is perhaps the most emotional film in the Bond franchise to date, as it follows the ever interesting arc of the relationship between spy and mentor. This plot is fueled by the fantastic performances by Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, and Javier Bardem, all of which create an interesting dynamic not seen in Bond films of the past.
Daniel Craig in the role of James Bond in Skyfall
Everything presented in Skyfall is brilliant. Gone are the shaky cam days of Marc Forster and in is the best cinematography of any Bond film ever with director Sam Mendes at the helm. The action scenes are fluid and are well staged and easy to watch. The writing here is some of the best in Bond screen history providing, perhaps, the most interesting set up to a Bond film ever done and following it up with a brilliant conclusion that, if the world were to end, would make for a stunning conclusion to the franchise.
Skyfall represents a return to greatness in the Daniel Craig era of Bond. It’s a beautify crafted masterwork of the action movie genre that brings the best of the best of Bond, both old and new. It’s the best present that a Bond fan, or cinema lover in general, could possibly get for the fiftieth anniversary of the great British spy. Add another film to the ever growing A+ class of 2012.
Welcome back Mr. Bond.