I wouldn't consider myself a fan of the popular James Bond franchise. That isn't to say that I don't enjoy a few of the spy thriller adventures, but I don't anxiously await their release date as so many of my colleagues do.
That being said, ever since Daniel Craig took over the reigns as the highly skilled and always elegant 007 (and the films took a noticeably darker tone) I've found myself slowly converting into a solid supporter. Skyfall, the 23rd film in the series, is a fast paced adrenaline rush that rarely seems to slow down...and fans wouldn't have it any other way.
Craig, now in his third turn as the elusive MI6 agent, gives one of his deepest performances yet as Skyfall tackles a softer, more vulnerable Bond than we have ever seen before. And while I questioned the approach during the early minutes, I simply can't deny how well director Sam Mendes pulled it off.
Another unusual detail worth noting is the increased presence of Dame Judi Dench's M. Oftentimes a major supporting player with only a handful of scenes, the entire plot of the film relies heavily around Bond's boss as her past appears to have finally caught up with her.
It is her relationship with Bond and Javier Bardem's Silve that drives the film during its middle third. For the first time, the double zero program could be put at risk as MI6 comes under attack, threatening the lives of all its high profile agents. It is here that Bond must confront his own attachment to his leader and determine just how deep their trust lies.
The end result is a collage of intense action, elegant sophistication, and wit as Bardem proves a worthy addition to the already self sufficient film. His deadpan delivery is impeccable as he walks the tightrope of flirtation with Bond himself, opening the door to an unusual amount of speculation and dialogue concerning our central villain.
While the film wasn't quite as solid as Casino Royale, it was nice to see it detour away from the typical cookie cutter formula that often plagues the high grossing franchise - with an Adele backed theme song to boot. More than once, I forgot that I was watching a Bond film as the espionage thriller took on a life of its own. For fans, there is really no better compliment I can give.
