Skyfall

Aha, reviewing time! First let me point out that some of you may have seen this before in Owen's Blip and also in a Blipsnap (thanks to RichieBoo for finding that one!)

Also I want to add that tonight's film was actually 'Argo', the latest directorial effort of Ben Affleck, and to put it in the least, bloody brilliant - I'll try and review it this week as well!

But for now... 'Skyfall' spoilers may follow....












Easily one of the most anticipated movies of the year (and we're talking the year that sees the return of the Hobbit and saw the rise of a Dark Knight), 'Skyfall' can be summed up quite simply in the end: Bond is back.

Daniel Craig's third outing as James Bond has been a few years in coming, with studios in turmoil and all kinds of dissatisfaction it did look as if one of the most successful franchises of all time may finally come to an end. But it didn't, and I'm so very, very happy about that.

A lot of people didn't like 'Quantum of Solace', after the kick-start that 'Casino Royale' gave a faltering series ('Die Another Day'... I still shudder) many were disappointed in the shorter (shortest!), travel-heavy sequel that followed it. I'm not one of them - instead I saw a sleek thriller in which a heartbroken man seeks out revenge for the woman he loved as well as fulfilling his duty to his country to bring down a threat against its integrity.

Both of these are themes that continue in 'Skyfall', but with an even more damaged Bond at its heart. This time it's the specific targeting of Judi Dench's M (as opposed to Eva Green's Vesper), but also an attack against the very service he has come to worship above others that motivates Bond's actions in taking on one of the most memorable villains of the series. Cue Javier Bardem's Silva, a villian both terrifying and suitably entertaining for the first time... well, not to say that the others weren't villainous, but Bardem is truly focused on it, his performance was excellent and one (of several) reasons to go and see this film.

I'm going to stop there with the plot, just know it's all about getting revenge again, because some would say that's all there is of the plot (and that's the one of the criticisms I've heard from Stef - he'll tell you the rest). What I will say is there's a marvellous return to the old school at times - Q's gift to Bond is brilliantly understated and the last third of the movie returns to the very roots of the Bond legacy (pun intended!) in brilliant fashion - it also answers the riddle to the film's title, but I'll leave that for you to find out.

I'm going to stop the review there because I don't really want to say much more about it - the response I've heard (aside from a couple) has been almost unanimously in the favourable and I'm glad, it really deserves it. There's some great performances, brilliant set pieces, expert direction (well done Sam Mendes!) and a storyline that gives you even more of Bond's history, and I mean personal history, than ever before.