Skyfall

It's difficult to think of another film that carries such an unusual combination of immense hype yet utter responsibility to succeed. Perhaps it's the rather lacklustre attempt that went directly before it, when we know (and when Casino Royale proved) that the team behind Daniel Craig's Bond is capable of so much more. Perhaps it is the perilous financial nature of MGM (that almost saw this film never actually get finished) that results in it bearing a fairly pressing burden. Either way, and whatever the reason, there is certainly a lot riding on Skyfall making a pretty serious impression; an ambition that, pleasingly, it delivers on in spades.

First and foremost, the film is visually stunning. The opening pre-credit sequence, as has become Bond tradition during it's 50 year reign in cinemas, keeps things just as fresh as always with a spectacular car, bike and train chase through Turkey, and culminating (as most of the trailers have already spoiled) in Bond's accidental shooting from the roof of a train. And this is where the beautiful hat-tips to classic Bond begin. It probably shouldn't be a surprise, given that Skyfall has been released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first EON Bond in 1962 (even to the point of scheduling the cast announcement press conference fifty years to the day of the announcement of Sean Connery in the original role). And they certainly haven't stopped there. Skyfall is littered with countless gems from Bonds of old, from the blindingly obvious to the spine-tinglingly more subtle, with each one showing nothing but admiration for the earlier franchise.

The Film Cache's Guide to Keeping Your Commute Interesting: #1.
Why ride inside the carriage when you can enjoy the fresh open air on top?

But that's certainly not to say that Skyfall is looking backwards in it's approach to telling new Bond stories. Quite the opposite. While it may have all the hallmarks of a proper classic Bond, it is brought explosively up to date and made completely cutting-edge; cyber-terror and Spooks-style political interference, all capped by the very welcome return of a multitude of Bond mainstays such as Q branch. Indeed, as is often the case with 007, the script is still very much the star of the show, and Skyfall's doesn't disappoint either. The wit of this movie is simply inescapable, even to the point of being genuinely funny in places, and coming complete with a 007 take on Home Alone style booby-trapping, and an enormously homoerotic interrogation.

The Film Cache's Guide to Keeping Your Commute Interesting: #2.
Underground escalators can double as fairground slides for that added bit of excitement.

Once again, the cast prove themselves to be pretty much the strongest link of the whole affair. Daniel Craig continues to excel as Bond, and Judi Dench can't be touched for her portrayal of M, who (fortunately) has a much more active role in this film. Bardem's villain also makes a particular impression, played incomprehensibly wicked, and deliciously insane (with a spoonful of camp to boot), which is always a pleasure to watch. That said though, perhaps one of the biggest stars of the movie is actually it's location. Sure, this is still a standard Bond with exotic locations and plenty of lavish foreign visuals (the boat ride in Macau being a particular treat), but for the first time in a while, the UK actually takes centre stage, and it's the majesty of a proper British setting that actually makes the film all the more pleasing. London is certainly well represented, and all the major landmarks taken care of, but Skyfall rather saves the best 'til last, serving as an unashamed showcase for the peerless beauty of Scotland.

The Film Cache's Guide to Keeping Your Commute Interesting: #3.
If all else fails, why go under when you can go over? Rooftops provide an excellent alternative to the Tube to avoid those rush hour crushes.

Truth be told, there is no single best bit of this film. Similarly, there doesn't appear to be any particularly weak link either; Skyfall carries all the trademarks of classic Bond, but makes them all acutely relevant and modern, all the while demonstrating the very best of British humour, settings and talent. Much has been said about Skyfall perhaps being the best Bond of all. Certainly it's hard to deny that all the brilliance is there for that to be the case. But in the end, regardless of where Skyfall fits into the franchise, it's the film's unwavering reverence for the fifty years and twenty two films that came before it that makes the mark. If ever there was such a thing as a 'Bond blueprint', Skyfall has followed it to the letter, and is truly exceptional as a result.