2012. 143 Minutes. Rated R.
“What do you say about a man like that?”
Skyfall is the newest installment in the James Bond legacy. Daniel Craig, the popular if somewhat controversial choice, goes for the trifecta, putting the golden touch on another blockbuster, this one well deserved. Add in Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem, and an emotional performance by Dame Judi Dench, and this one gets my vote for one of the best Bond films ever produced.
Skyfall – Eon Productions
The previous two Craig as Bond films acted as a recalibration of sorts, going to extremes in re-introducing a gritty, low-brow swagger of the ineffable “Bond, James Bond.” There was nothing glamorous or sexy about the introduction of Daniel Craig. This, the producers declared, is not your mother’s secret agent. I agree that many of the Bond films since the days of Roger Moore became sensational and “easy” action films. They established an unbelievable formula of employing a virile spy who for all intents and purposes was more suited to the role of harem director turned race car driver rather than blue collar spy swindler engaged in psychological gamesmanship. There was too much charm and not enough substance. Viewers loved the recipe, but it was boring. The problem is that Bond is inextricably married to the glitz and glamour of the earlier motion pictures. Another Bond film without the frills would have fallen short of expectations. Skyfall, however, pays homage to the legacy of the Bond dynasty. Director Sam Mendes treats us to a good dose of the “old world” sexiness and bravado of early Bond films while balancing a bit of the “new world” grist characterized in the persona of Daniel Craig. Skyfall is caviar with a serving of strip steak. And I ate it up.
The balance is further perfected by the cast of characters that surround Craig. “M” (Judi Dench) is facing a forced retirement on the heels of a series of poor decisions that seem to have jeopardized the safety of England. We get a sense that Bond is no longer the cavalier horse he used to be. Neither is M. M continues to take her chances with Bond, but perhaps she is taking one too many chances. We sense a legacy is ending. The tension is met by Gareth Mallory (Ralph Fiennes), the new Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee. Mallory wants M to retire, citing her as delusional for sticking with Bond.
The opening sequence of the film begins with a chase in the grand Bazaar of exotic Istanbul. Bond and another man get entangled on the roof of a moving train. M orders another British agent (Eve [Moneypenny], played by Naomie Harris) watching the tussle to shoot. When Eve reports that she does not have a clean shot, M orders the agent to “take the bloody shot.” Bond is thrown from the train, plummeting into the Bosphorous. Something has gone terribly wrong.
Apparently, Mr. Bond is disposable. Or is he? A series of attacks on both the British Intelligence building (MI6) in London and the intelligence computer network have exposed weaknesses in British security. Bond, convalescing in Macau, gets wind of the attacks and suddenly reappears in London to “report for duty.”
Presumed dead, M informs Bond that his flat and all of his belongings were sold. Why did he show up now? In any case, England needs Bond and Bond, by his own confession, needs England. Bond, after all, is interested in resurrection.
Bond is ordered to take his usual battery of tests to approve him for continued field work. Bond fails all of his tests but is invited by M (Dench) to chase down the man he confronted in Istanbul. He is also ordered to track down the source of the computer hackers responsible for the London attacks. Bond, after all, will get a chance to prove his worth.
After a couple of scintillating scenes that remind us of the old James, Bond is escorted to an island that reminds us of The Man with the Golden Gun. We find continuous nods to other James Bond films, a treat not lost on the most avid of Bond enthusiasts. Skyfall provides a study in contrasts between the old and the new Bond.
It is on the island that we are introduced to Silva (Javier Bardem). Bardem, always an intense and dynamic actor, proves his worth as the psychologically troubled ex-British agent. Intelligent, measured and persuasive, we learn that Silva has a few tricks up his sleeve, sure to prove Bond’s worth and reliability to his country. It is not long before Silva is captured and brought back to London. It is in London where things really get interesting.
I cannot do enough justice to the intensity of character, the devilish disposition that an actor like Bardem brings to the screen. There is a sense of comedy and adventure waiting before every Bardem breath, especially in the portrayal of a sociopath like Silva that brings an element of surprise to the acting surrounding Daniel Craig. Bardem is the well-graced villain who proves one step ahead of Bond and his official entourage. Or does he?
What proves to be an adventurous race around London culminates in one last stand in Scotland. Protecting country and the darkest secrets of England, Bond ushers M to his childhood estate known only as Skyfall. They make their getaway in the Aston Martin DB5, the classic sports car that was made famous by Sean Connery in Goldfinger. It is at Skyfall that Bond makes his case as old reliable. I half expected to see Sean Connery pop out of the corner of the estate to help “manage” the property.
The emotional sequence had me in tears. All I can say is that we will see more of Gareth Mallory (Ralph Fiennes). If you are not a fan of James Bond, then you probably aren’t interested in any of the details. If you are a fan of acting, you won’t want to miss the performances by a strong supporting cast that only adds gravy to an already exciting piece of meat. For all of the James Bond fans out there, this is the movie you have been waiting for. One of the best Bond films. Ever. That’s something you can sink your teeth into.
