SKYFALL - archive from 27th November 2012.

Took the posse to the periodical pilgrimage that is the latest Bond offering - 'SKYFALL' last night. For 50 years, and 23 action packed films later, this is up there in the Top 3 Bonds of all time! 

Sam Mendes has crafted a fine film with many a nod to Bond of yesteryear, and carefully crafted. Daniel Craig returns for his third instalment as our titular hero as the weary Secret Agent now fitting comfortably & convincingly into the role of Bond, James Bond, and this time exploring his fractured past, tortured childhood, relationship with M, his Scottish heritage, and more of what maketh the man. 

Javier Bardem is a deliciously camp bad guy (Silva) but not hell bent on world domination just hell bent on revenge of the establishment that turned against him - MI6. This has all the usual ingredients from the pre-credit action sequence, the set pieces, the guns, the girls, the locations, the wit and characters you know & love - but watch them all because big changes occur in this outing with an eventual return to form that is likely to surprise, and delight! 

Ben Whishaw turns up as 'Q' and adds a younger twist to the previous much loved Desmond Llewelyn character, Ralph Fiennes brings a stoic stiff upper lipped Gareth Mallory who just might be a longer term addition to the franchise,  Judie Dench is there of course again as 'M', and it's great to see the original DB5 getting some more screen time from Sean Connery's earlier days at the wheel of this most notable of all Bond cars.

Some plots you will recognise from 'Mission : Impossible' (stolen MI6 undercover operative database) to 'The Bourne Trilogy' (motorcycle & rooftop chase sequence) to the most recent 'Batman' franchise (murdered parents orphaned back story) but nonetheless this is a stylish, well told, solid story with twists and turns and much to enjoy and keep you thinking after the credits have rolled, and a possible new lease of life for this long running series. Good job Sam, good job Daniel!

Subsequently, this film garnered a global awards haul of 53 wins and 79 other nominations taking in two Academy Awards for Best Song and Best Sound Editing with three other nominations; a Golden Globe for Best Original Song; and BAFTA's for Best British Film and Best Film Music and six other nominations.

With Bond 24 set for release at the latter end of 2015, and Bond 25 also announced with Daniel Craig set to play in these next two instalments, there remains a very strong pulse in the franchise with some new direction coming as a result of 'Skyfall's' ending! Bring it on James!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-