Skyfall

'Skyfall' arrives in a year which celebrates 50 years of a cinematic icon that has flown the British flag and inspired countless on-screen replicas to date. With the enviable position of probably recovering its complete $150million budget before it even opens in the US, there is no doubt that Bond is back and that too, with a bang.

Everything fans loved about Casino Royale and its introduction to Daniel Craig’s Bond is stamped into the feel of 'Skyfall'. Providing an even deeper glimpse into James Bond’s past and origin, 'Skyfall' succeeds in maintaining the level of entertainment expected from a Bond film and exceeding its recent predecssors in terms of story, presentation and an impeccably brilliant Bond villain divinely assayed by Javier Bardem.

The opening sequence is (as expected from any Bond movie) fast paced, full of action and one that launches you into the world within which MI6 operatives that lay their life on the line for their job. Possibly bettering Casino Royale’s opening sequence while echoing its rooftop antics, 'Skyfall' is beautifully picturised from start to finish by Roger Deakins. His eye illuminates Bond’s dark world sketching out parallels of dimly lit tunnels with bright neon lights where shadows dance in battle fluidly choreographed and narrating the stark contrast of good versus evil. Exotic locations are captured creatively and you’ll forgive the barrage of brand tie-in adverts before the film when you see what that funding has helped make possible. From Istanbul to Shangai, even London is elevated in character by Deakins’ lens adding to a cinematic experience that makes 'Skyfall' a bigger Bond.

Daniel Craig is older, tired and more rugged as the double-O-agent who is now battle-damaged and deemed unfit for duty yet finds his feet through returning to a place from his past that crafted his persona. When sparring verbally with Naomie Harris or tongue tied with the heavenly and enigmatic (as well as underused) Berenice Marlohe, Craig succeeds at delivering a performance that helps the character rise above his environment and is comfortable in his own skin. The aging Bond is perfectly mirrored in a seemingly redundant M (Dame Judi Dench) whose last hurrah as the character is her best yet. Javier Bardem’s delectable portrayal of Raoul Silva jumps from the screen as layers of his character are unravelled with both delight and terror. Bardem has gifted us with a Bond villain truly deserving of the title, which has been missing in recent times. His walk, dialogue delivery and haunting eyes engage in subtle shootouts with Craig’s that ooze the presence of two stalwarts in their field fighting on different sides of a thinly drawn line. Ralph Fiennes is given a good introduction to the franchise and settles into his chair with ease, dropping throwbacks to the M of old that will leave Bond fans with a sense of familiarity.

With nods to the history of the franchise, while setting a bold new direction for James Bond, 'Skyfall' succeeds in upping the game and providing a thrilling episode of the world’s favourite secret agent that Ian Fleming would be proud of. Brilliance flashes through in Sam Mendes directing as he provides a serving of Bond that is well paced, gripping and lives up to the expectations of those hoping for a resurrection for the franchise and character. 'Skyfall' is a noteworthy entry in the Bond franchise that will ensure the world remembers the name James Bond for at least another 50 years.

'Skyfall' is on general release in the UK and releases in the US on November 9.