Post Spectre, I can say with some confidence that what you’ll think Daniel Craig’s best entry in the series will be one of two. I consider Casino Royale to be his best film, but as a marriage between gritty 21st Century spy films and the more classic elements we expect to see, Skyfall comes out on top.
Craig is much more Bond-like here, with a few subtle wise cracks. Judi Dench is given much more to do and is clearly enjoying it. Bardem is fantastic, with Silva immediately entering the top echelon of Bond villains.
Mendes handles it all with aplomb, with the 150 minute run time zipping past. Then there’s the stunning cinematography and well staged action, with a silhouetted fist fight a high point. For a large part of the film the story departs from the usual Bond formula; I really enjoyed seeing Bond on the back foot.
If you have any problems with Craig this should be the film you try. Don’t pick at the threads too much and don’t think about how ropey one of Bond’s ‘conquests’ is, and Skyfall is one of the strongest Bond films. It’s odd to talk about this film after Spectre as at the time I thought everything was back on track. Nevertheless it’s a great film that allied the Craig continuity with a fondness for the past.
I just wish they’d stop questioning Bond’s place in the world and let him get on it.
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