Skyfall

Directed by: Sam Mendes

Written by: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, John Logan







Is this it?  Is this the film that finally elevates James Bond from mere genre flick to, perhaps, maybe, actual film?  My conclusion: maybe.

The third installment in the Daniel Craig iteration as 007 separates itself from the first two (2006's "Casino Royale" and 2008's "Quantum of Solace") while simultaneously establishing more connections to the earlier Bond worlds (the introduction and modernization of Q, for example).

Let's get straight to my point, though.  This film has a lot more depth to it than most of the other Bond films.  The characters actually have flaws!  And backgrounds! Oh my!  One of the hallmarks of everything Bond before "Skyfall"was the lack of background - as if nothing really existed before the moment the film began.  Even one of Bond's most significant moments - the death of his wife in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" - is all but ignored in every other movie in the series.  This is the first movie (beyond a few casual references in "Casino Royale") that James Bond was once a little boy.

Suddenly, Bond is grounded in reality!  Not only that, but he's actually lost a step or two (because of a minor plot point I'd rather not spoil here), and maybe isn't quite the agent he once was.  He makes mistakes - major ones - which have ramifications throughout the whole movie.  He's much more human than usual - almost weak - though he still kicks butt.

Mendes and the writers build into the story some recurring themes which help lift this film beyond the drudge of mere genre action.  For example, every character is dealing with some major setback in their past - Bond, M, Eve, Silva (the villain) - which has thrust itself into their present lives.  To overcome the drama of the present, though, they must confront and explore their pasts.  This element leads to one of the most significant revelations about Bond's past - a visit to his childhood home named... Well... You'll have to see that for yourself.

There is also the recurring element of betrayal. Or, at least, actions which could easily be interpreted as betrayal.  A significant portion of the film is spent with characters betraying each other, apologizing for betrayal, justifying betrayal, or recovering from betrayal.  And all of it is rich and subtle and deep, except for the blatant symbolism at the climax of the film - a literal knife in the back - but I'll forgive them that.

So, the usual question that follows all this is "Where does 'Skyfall' land in the pantheon of Bond?"  A lot of critics (especially the type quoted in advertisements) claim it's the best Bond film ever.  Personally, I'm not a huge fan of "ranking" things, but much prefer categorization.  Anyway, I would definitely list it in the same category as the other elite Bond movies.  Well done!