"Bond, James Bond": Skyfall

Ordinarily, I do not review movies on this blog.  But this time I will make an exception.  We just returned from seeing the new James Bond film, Skyfall.   It is in my opinion the best of the Bond films ever.

I have been watching the Bond films since the first one 50 years ago, Dr. No.  I thought no one could play 007 like Sean Connery.  I was wrong. In this film, Daniel Craig actually surpasses anything Connery had done with the character. Moreover, the script is by far one of the best in recent years. It has an easily understandable plot and all of the characters are well-played.  In addition to Craig, Judi Dench in her familiar role as M is nothing less than superb.  Indeed, most of the story line centers around her and the efforts of a former MI6 agent (played by Javier Bardem, who chews up the scenery when on screen) to track her down.

As usual, the action is nonstop with car and train chases around the world. Supposedly, Craig does most of his own stunts. If so, hats off to the man. Some of them were quite amazing. There is also quite a bit of nostalgia and humor in the film, including the resurrection of the original Bond car, the Aston Martin with the ejection seat.

As an added attraction, the music for the opening sequence is sung by Adele, who also co-wrote the song, also called "Skyfall".

Whether you are a James Bond fan or not, you have got to see this film. The almost two and one half hour film just flies by.