Skyfall (2012) - SPOILER-FREE Review
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Directed by: Sam Mendes
Written by: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, John Logan
Starring: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Marlohe, Albert Finney, Judi Dench
Runtime: 143 min
Synopsis: When James Bond's (Daniel Craig) latest assignment goes terribly wrong, it leads to a calamitous turn of events: undercover agents around the world are exposed, and MI6 is attacked, forcing M (Judi Dench) to relocate the agency. With MI6 now compromised inside and out, M turns to the one man she can trust: Bond. Aided only by a field agent (Naomie Harris), Bond takes to the shadows and follows a trail to Silva (Javier Bardem), a man from M's past who wants to settle an old score.
Casino Royale was an excellent first entry in this new James Bond saga starring Daniel Craig as the famous 007, but the sequel Quantum of Solace was such a massive letdown that viewers - including myself - didn't know how Skyfall was going to go down. Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road) still hadn't really made an action flick before entering the Bond franchise, so all bets were valid. The only specific expectations that viewers had was that this would probably be the best-looking film of the entire saga since one of the greatest cinematographers in the history of cinema, Roger Deakins (No Country for Old Men), was hired as the respective DP.
And I'll start precisely there: Deakins' cinematography is so awe-inspiring that it almost looks like Skyfall is sweating visual quality. Throughout the whole runtime, the screen drips eyegasmic beauty. From the fascinating lighting to the wallpaper-worthy wide shots, Deakins adds a whole different layer of elegance and class to the popular franchise. The action sequences return to the gripping, riveting levels of Martin Campbell's movie, just with enhanced camera work and even more memorable scenes, such as a fight at the top of a skyscraper in Shanghai where the characters look like shadows due to the intense, colorful light of other buildings.
The exceptional stunt work allows the opportunity for long takes and attention-grabbing chasing scenes to come back in grand fashion. The shocking, unique opening sequence is undoubtedly my absolute favorite. It sets up a mysterious, intriguing narrative where, for the first time in this Era, 007, MI6, and the audience are far from finding out what's happening and who's planning so many impactful, game-changing terrorist acts. Always two steps behind Mr. Silva, an enemy from the past terrifyingly portrayed by Javier Bardem (Collateral).
The actor incorporates the vengeance-driven motif of the incredibly compelling villain, someone the viewers learn to comprehend since his reasons to do what he does are nowhere near the generic cliches of otherwise forgettable antagonists. Mr. Silva's connection to M (Judi Dench), Bond, and the MI6 itself create an emotional rollercoaster filled with extremely tense moments between these characters. This trio of actors delivers outstanding performances leading to a brutal third act, but the supporting cast also deserves notable praise - namely Ralph Fiennes (Harry Potter) and Naomie Harris (Pirates of the Caribbean).
Skyfall also has the best character work in this Era. Every character introduced has a significant impact on the outcome of the story. Even people Bond meets along the way for few seconds of screentime somehow influence the protagonist's path. John Logan (Gladiator) joins the screenwriting duo of Bond-experts Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, and the result is a captivating, innovative narrative packed with surprising twists and turns. It may not warrant all the minutes of the extended runtime, but it comes very close to it.
Finally, this film probably convinced Sam Mendes himself that his potential to direct action was tremendous, having in mind he would return to helm Spectre and make a "one-shot" war flick with 1917 (also with Deakins as DP). His vision fits the Bond world seamlessly. In fact, I really can't find a single flaw with what I believe to be my favorite Bond movie. Even the main theme sang by Adele gets my personal "number one" stamp. Huge practical sets also benefit the viewing experience, as does Thomas Newman's (American Beauty) sumptuous score. Technically, it's a near-perfect demonstration of what a Bond film should look and feel like.
Final Thoughts
Skyfall is not only the entry that this James Bond saga needed, but it's my favorite movie of the Daniel Craig Era. From the exceptionally intriguing narrative filled with shocking developments to Javier Bardem's terrifying portrayal of a fascinating antagonist, Sam Mendes offers his remarkable directing skills to create a film worthy of much praise. The GOAT of cinematography, Roger Deakins, makes every inch of the screen drip cinematic beauty with eyegasmic wide shots and mind-blowing lighting, making this the best-looking Bond flick ever. Technically, it’s challenging to find elements less than simply perfect. Phenomenal acting all-around elevates an extraordinarily impactful character work, culminating in an emotionally powerful third act. A slightly overextended runtime doesn't stop me from considering this a flawless Bond movie. I can't endorse it more than this.
