Being based in the UK, I've had the privilege of seeing the latest chapter in the Bond saga,"Skyfall" before its release in the US. As such, EpicD has asked me to share my thoughts on it so here it goes.
Bond films follow a pretty standard blueprint, British national secrets are in danger. Bond goes after the bad guys, gets distracted by some girl, and M. gets him back on track. Finally, he [Bond] saves the day. In many respects, "Skyfall" follows this very pattern, but with some unexpected twists.
With a running time of 2 hours and 23 minutes, this addition to the 007 series will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The series is somewhat showing its age, as Skyfall is a definite attempt to modernize and bring a new-found sense of relevance to the saga.
The films formula is simple: MI6 is under attack from multiple angles and 007 (Daniel Craig) must come out of 'retirement' to save it. Bond's loyalty to M. (Judi Dench) is tested as her past, in the form of Silva (Javier Bardem), appears from the shadows to haunt her. Of course there is the girl, Eve (Naomie Harris), to keep 007 healthily distracted.
Directed by Sam Mendes, the film starts out in unfamiliar territory. Is bond still relevant? Do we still need spies in a post cold war era? 007 and MI6 struggle to prove their relevance in what ends up a very personal conclusion surrounding the Bond we all know and love.
Rating: 4 Stars (Maximum 5) - Action, wit, and secrecy of a bygone era clash with the modern world resulting in an epic addition to the Bond franchise.
