Soon after Adele powerhouses through one of the better James Bond theme songs in recent memory during one of the signature opening credit sequences, we see Dame Judi Dench’s M sitting at a computer, typing out the obituary of a Mr. James Bond.
“What do you say about a man like that,” M wonders as she puts word to screen.
Indeed, what do you say about this version of James Bond?
Ever since 2006’s mightily superb Casino Royale, we’ve been given the definite 21st century Bond. Daniel Craig’s 007 now outlines the idea of the character, adapting a sense of Bourne-esque grittiness that makes the spy relevant in today’s landscape.
You know what they say – adapt or die.
2008’s Quantum of Solace might have been the biggest departure from a typical Bond movie, putting the hero in dire straits – both mentally and physically. For once, one of the “Bond girls” from Casino Royale left a mark that scarred – badly. Quantum was a good movie that served as a solid second entry in the Craig series – but it wasn’t particularly fun. I don’t think people were as receptive to watching their favorite secret agent mope around. I wasn’t as vehemently against the movie as others, but sure, it was no Casino Royale. People like a happy Bond – they like the suave smile. They like their Bond to be awesome.
Skyfall shows the secret agent being exactly that – awesome.
Beautifully shot by Roger Deakins and wonderfully scored by Thomas Newman (both deserve Oscar nods), Skyfall is a thunderous example of how even after 50 years, Bond can still wow. Director Sam Mendes has created a near-classic – a loving ode to 007 saturated in the shining example of the quintessential “Bond villain.” The action sequences are breathtaking, the acting is sharp and the tone is perfect. It’s the best film I’ve seen this year so far – by a good mile.
After a misfired shot and a tumble off a bridge, Bond leaves the agency, believed to be dead. He’s drawn back into the game by an unknown force that’s releasing the names of undercover NATO agents across the world embedded in terrorist organizations. Bond is sent to discover who is behind the leaks, finding Javier Bardem’s Silva, a proud lunatic with a history involving M.
This time, Bond’s got to answer not only to Dench’s M, but also Ralph Fiennes’ Gareth Mallory, the new Intelligence and Security Committee Chairman. Naomie Harris also joins the cast as Eve, a fellow field agent.
Many have noted that Skyfall works well because it’s both self-serious and self-aware, and I couldn’t agree more. The film takes itself very seriously while realizing the somewhat-silly nature of its plot. This, perhaps, is best personified in the film’s dastardly foe.
Javier Bardem’s performance as the scarred Silva might just be the most convincing performances in a movie I’ve seen this year.
Much like the great villains of cinema’s past, Silva demands attention whenever on screen. Silva’s giddy with villainy – driven by one of the most stark-raving desires for revenge I’ve ever seen. He’s gunning for M, and per the norm, he’s willing to do whatever’s necessary to accomplish his task. It’s honestly shocking on how truly bad this guy is (he scared an entire island from their home with the use of a computer – that bad). Bardem has already proven his skills for villainy with his chilling, Oscar-winning portrayal of Anton Chigurh in 2007’s No Country for Old Men. Here, he’s like a homicidal version of the Cheshire Cat, appearing and disappearing right when you don’t need him to. It’s yet another Oscar-worthy turn for Bardem, as Silva could have appeared almost cartoonish in other hands. You can’t get enough of Silva, and the film wisely siphons off the character, allotting him the perfect amount of screen time to make his mark.
Dench also brings her A-game as M, with this being the most convincing I’ve ever seen her in the role. Here, M is more than the commander-in-chief of MI-6 giving Bond his orders. Here, M is the target of Silva’s wrath – the one being held metaphorically liable for the villain’s damage. Her relationship with Bond comes to light in this edition more so than in the previous two of the Craig series. Dench lets down the guard of her emotionless façade to expose a few moments of genuine human invulnerability. She portrays the role with dignity, playing off Craig, Fiennes and especially Bardem with expert prowess.
As for Bond, Skyfall gives Craig his most suave portrayal yet. The moody Bond of Quantum of Solace has been replaced by a livelier version of the one from Casino Royale. Craig’s Bond quips and chides his colleagues with ease, but after the opening sequence sends him hurdling off a waterfall with an implanted bullet in the shoulder, it’s easy to see that Bond’s the one, as Fiennes puts it, who’s lost a step.
In one scene, the new Q, played by the delightful Ben Whitshaw, sarcastically laments his capability to, in his own words, “do more damage on my laptop sitting in my pajamas before my first cup of Earl Grey” than Bond could do in a year’s worth of field work. Q likens Bond to the occasional “trigger” man. In response, Bond asks Q how a person in their pajamas could know when to pull the trigger.
Skyfall‘s about Bond being the Bond everyone knows and loves.
“Out with the new, in with the old” might be the overarching theme of the movie. While Silva is able to mold MI-6 like Play-Doh, Bond’s the one giving him a run for his money. It’s a testament to the classic character in the sense that no matter how much the world changes around him, Bond’s still got what it takes to get the job done and probably won’t lose that fire anytime soon.