This rendition of Bond is an awesome British bulldog of a movie – as one critic rightfully labels it – is a full blown triumph for Sam Mendes and the franchise and will go down as one of the best Bonds in recent memory.
Starring Daniel Craig in his third outing as 007 (and Javier Bardem, the villain Silva in Skyfall), the 23rd film in the franchise has been directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes; who happens to have directed one of my greatest films ever, Revolutionary Road.
From the moment Miss Adele belts out, a nostalgic shiver immediately drains down your cold spine; you know this will be a triumphant return to classic Bond.
Sam Mendes’ continues to evolve, grow and get better. With Skyfall, he has gone back to basics: chases, stunts, fights!
[sws_blockquote_endquote align=”” cite=”Geoffrey McNabb” quotestyle=”style03″]At the same time, he has subtly re-invented the franchise, throwing in far greater depth of characterization than we’re accustomed to in a series of films that are often proudly superficial.[/sws_blockquote_endquote]
There cannot be doubt when Robbie Collin praised director Mendes in The Telegraph:
He is unafraid to let the quieter dramatic moments breath, and ace cinematographer Roger Deakins makes the wildly ambitious action sequences the most beautiful in Bond’s 50-year career.
Skyfall sees Dame Judi Dench reprise her role as MI6 director M, while Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris join the franchise as Bond’s co-workers.
Furthermore, I think it is fitting for critics to praise Javier Bardem’s performance as villain Silva, “he combines pathos, grotesquerie and a Hannibal Lecter-like viciousness“.
Caroline Jowett added in The Express:
He is not a villain in pursuit of world domination like Ernst Blofeld, and he is slightly upstaged by his own hair but he never fails to surprise. That he can make us laugh at the same time only makes him more menacing. Dramatically gripping while still brandishing a droll undercurrent humour, this beautifully made film will certainly be embraced as one of the best Bonds by loyal fans worldwide and leaves you wanting the next one to turn up sooner than four years from now.
However, The Guardian’s Xan Brooks was not as impressed as other critics. Giving it three stars out of a five, he praised the “whiz-bang first half” but said the film “falls prey to a common failing of many 50th birthday bashes: it allows sentimentality to cloud its judgment and loosen its tongue.”
Director: Sam Mendes
Writers: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and 2 more credits »
Stars: Daniel Craig, Helen McCrory and Javier Bardem
