It's hard to believe it's been 50 years since James Bond
first hit the big screen and yet this past year had celebrations galore about
that fact. First was the release of the blu-ray box set containing all Bond
films with extras excluding SKYFALL. Numerous shows were done about the fact.
Finally a tribute was paid to Bond this past Oscar night. But the big news
concerning Bond this year was a new film, SKYFALL that has just hit DVD
shelves.
After the first two outings with Daniel Craig as the titular
character, Bond is back and in action like never before. The film opens with
the usual chase sequence filled with more action than a half dozen films
crammed into about 10 minutes. When it finishes Bond is shot by one of his own
team on orders from M (Dame Judi Dench) and falls from a moving train over a
high bridge into a roaring river. Cue music and opening credits.
Of course Bond didn't die. If he did then this would have
been the shortest Bond film ever made. When the credits finish we find M
fighting for the continued role of MI-6 and the need for the spy network set up
all these years. It turns out that what Bond was attempting to retrieve (and
failed to do) was a hard drive that contained the location and names of all of
the undercover spies around the globe. Not only does M suffer that indignation
but someone explodes a bomb in her office as well.
Recuperating on some desert island, Bond hears the news and
returns to the fold, confronting M in her home. A few details filled in, a new
weapon courtesy of a new Q and Bond is off and running. His first lead is the
man he was battling on top of the train at the start of the film that results
in an extremely well choreographed and filmed fight to the death. The clues
lead Bond from Shanghai to Macau and eventually to a meeting with the man
behind it all.
Silva (Javier Bardem) has a past with M. He too was one of
the high members of MI-6 and a favorite of M. But things went bad (the details
of which we learn later) and it appears he has manipulated Bond to this
meeting. Bond escapes and captures Silva, taking him back to England. While
most of the film up to this point has been setting the stage from here on out
it's non-stop action and double crosses resulting in one of the most explosive
finales ever captured in a Bond film and one that is more touching than any
other.
Visually SKYFALL is an amazing film to watch. The colors of
the neon in Shanghai pop off the screen and the action scenes feel as if you
are there with Bond in each and every move. Director Sam Mendes isn't known as
an action director but he brings a fresh look to the entire film as well as a
depth of character to Bond that's rarely if ever been seen.
I saw this film when it was first out and loved it. For Bond
geeks there are all sorts of special surprises from locations to items to lines
in the film that will make them giddy with glee. Honestly there was at least
one moment when I nearly screamed out "YES!" that involves a car.
'Nuff said. For those more recently drafted into the Bond films you'll get all
the action you need and a story line that has more depths than most.
Of the three Craig Bond films I'm undecided which I like
best but I know it's between this one and CASINO ROYALE. One thing is certain.
All are movies that should not just be rented but added to your collection.
Bond films are movies that can be enjoyed any time and will be for years to
come.
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