Having Skyfallen for a second time this week I find myself shaken AND stirred to write in praise of what is fast becoming one of my favourite films of all time.
Sam Mendes has created a masterpiece in which the narrative is constantly moving towards the inevitable confrontation between two members of the spy brotherhood competing for the same parental affirmation. The careful editing, compelling action sequences and storyline development meant I was still unaware of the stated 2½-hour duration on my second viewing.
In this fiftieth Bond year, references to previous Bond movies abound for the diehard fan. Yet these contribute to rather than divert or pause the narrative impetus (e.g. allusion to Bond's arch-nemesis Jaws, Connery's weaponised car, Moore's alligator crossing, Brosnan's underwater tie adjustment to maintain his dapper appearance). The Bond afficiandos will enjoy searching for more.
There is less emphasis on bedroom interaction with the Bond girls, and more emphasis on how they advance or add to the plot. As well as forming part of the expected Bond convention, the sexual tension and repartee between Bond and Naomie Harris' character is critical to the plot denouement when her eventual role in Bond's life is resolved with satisfying echoes across the entire Bond cinematic canon.
This past summer of 2012, the eyes of the world have focused on London's successful delivery of a secure and spectacular international sporting festival. By locating significant parts of the action in a busy London and citing the words of Tennyson, the film resonates with the afterglow of and the behind-the-scenes work that went into pulling off this British success. It also throws the isolated location of the emotional and action climax of the final act into sharp relief.
As in 'Casino Royale' (and the follow-up closure over Vesper Lynd in 'Quantum of Solace'), Daniel Craig's Bond wrestles with emotional attachment to a central love in his life. As he fights to protect his Queen (or a substitute imperial matriarch) and country, Craig's Bond experiences an unwanted personal devastation that his enemy has sought but which Bond wrestles to deny him at the climax of the film. This is the central strength to Craig's Bond - the paradox between his dispassion as a killing machine and his search for affection. This violent vunerability of Craig's 007 is what makes his Bond the best to date.
"Skyfall."
"Done."
And done brilliantly.