“Everyone needs a hobby…”

“So what’s yours?”

“Resurrection.”

DIRECTOR: Sam MENDES
STARRING: Daniel CRAIG, Judi DENCH, Javier BARDEM, Ralph FIENNES, Naomie HARRIS, Berenice MARLOHE, Ben WHISHAW

2012 has been a landmark year for the James Bond franchise as our favourite film spy celebrates his 50th birthday. When fellow Wirralian (and Hilbre High School student) Daniel Craig was cast as 007 in the 2006 reboot Casino Royale, it led to mixed views from critics and fans (even a Bond is not blond website was created!). But  his physical performance and the film’s dark take ended up silencing those hecklers in what ended up being one of the best Bond films. A far cry from the silly recent turnouts from Pierce Brosnan. But a couple of years later, Quantum of Solace (2008) attempted to carry on that theme and was instead ridiculed for its uninteresting storyline and villain as well as an appalling theme song from Jack White and Alicia Keys. Something spectacular had to be done by producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson to keep Bond fans hooked in such a key year for the franchise. Fortunately for us, the latest film in the series, Skyfall, brings our heroic spy back to his best courtesy of a new-look cast and crew which puts a lot of work into this new film to ensure that we shall be shaken AND stirred by its entertainment…..

Following a failed mission in Turkey which leads to him being shot and presumed dead, James Bond (Craig) decides to return to London after MI6 is attacked by a mysterious enemy who has connections with M (Dench). As this new foe threatens to kill off other agents, it is left up to Bond to try and track him down which leads to trips to Shanghai and Macau where he encounters the beautiful Severence (Marlohe). It is through her that he finally meets the dastardly Silva (Bardem) who vows to gain revenge on M for betraying him during a mission years earlier. But with the future of M16 at stake, Bond is determined to stop Silva and protect the woman who gave him his chance of redemption.

Given the importance of its 50th anniversary, it doesn’t come as a surprise to many to see how the new-look edition of the series has succeeded with all the hard work paid off. The decision by Sam Mendes and the producers to focus on Bond’s heritage has never been explored much in previous instalments but here it becomes a key factor in the story arc as we also get some satisfactory throwbacks to previous Bond films e.g. the return of the Aston Martin and the new Q. The Oscar-winning film-maker is able to understand the spirit of Bond but also breaks new ground with the treatment of the story. While it lacks the light-hearted entertainment of the old films, there is still enough to savour from 007’s latest adventure as a character-driven narrative though the wit is still there. This gives Mendes and his team of experienced writers a chance to take inspiration from Ian Fleming’s original approach of 007 by taking us back to Bond’s Scottish background for the film’s thrilling climax which leads to a satisfactory conclusion for all Bond fans in the final scene afterwards. But it is the technical detail of Skyfall which succeeds as the acquisitions of experienced Hollywood crew-men Roger Deakins and Thomas Newman prove decisive in presenting an immaculate film. Deakins’s cinematography is visually magnificent as the location shots of Istanbul, London, Shanghai and the Scottish Highlands are artistically filmed in immaculate style and making it the best looking Bond film you will ever see. Then we have Newman’s score which cleverly uses the classic Bond theme in a rich way and is further benefited by the surprisingly impressive theme song from Adele. While this critic isn’t a fan of her overrated music, she does give a soulful and haunting rendition of Skyfall which surprisingly works alongside the film’s score. Finally the jaw-dropping action dominates the film as you would expect with some blistering sequences including the opening motorcycle chase which brings you straight into the action. Bond’s fight in the Shanghai office building is beautifully choreographed while the pursuit of Silva through the London Underground is pulsating to say the least.

What also makes Bond work is the surprisingly reliable cast with barely any bad performances given. Once again Daniel Craig leads from the front in his third film as he continues to play Bond as a charmer and a killer whilst showing vulnerability. This adds to the interesting depth of him as a character which also worked perfectly in Casino Royale. His experienced co-star Judi Dench finally gets given more to do here in what is her seventh appearance in the series with M playing a decisive role in the narrative whilst also earning the tag of most unlikely Bond girl ever. However this doesn’t prevent newcomers Naomie Harris and Berenice Marhole from being overshadowed with the former showing determination during her scenes with Craig whilst having a surname that shares significance for the Bond story. The latter oozes sexiness in her brief appearance but certainly leaves an impression on the audience (especially male fans!). But the stand-out newcomer of the cast is Oscar-winner Javier Bardem as the slimy Silva whose entrance half-way in the film is truly memorable as he is able to give a creepy and sadistic performance which almost echoes his similar role as Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men (2007). The rest of the experienced cast including Ralph Fiennes (as the authoritative Mallory), Ben Whishaw (as the intelligent and geeky Q) and Albert Finney (as Bond’s former housekeeper Kincade) lend a mixture of humour and morality to their characters.

One potential problem with the Bond franchise is that most of the films tend to be hit and miss and while Skyfall is certainly one of the best, it still has its flaws. The story loses balance (and drags a bit) with some of its disbelieving moments including Bond surviving a huge fall in the film’s opening sequence, the death of a henchman at the hands (or mouth) of….a Komodo Dragon and the bizarre decision for 007 not to gain help from MI6 when he and M hide out in his Scottish home. But probably the biggest disappointment here is the lack of back-story for the gorgeous Severence who serves a minimal amount of screen-time halfway in the film but doesn’t get any farther compared to the usual focus on Bond girls (the same thing happening with Gemma Arterton in Quantum of Solace). The lack of emotion from James following her departure is rather tasteless given the contribution she gives to him in her brief appearance.

VERDICT: Skyfall delivers as cinema’s greatest spy reports for duty in style thanks to the tenacious film-making of Sam Mendes and his team who mix old habits and new surroundings for an important landmark. Best Bond film ever? You bet. Happy 50th birthday Mr Bond!