Skyfall

Having made £37.2m in its first week of opening, Skyfall is on course to become one of the most successful Bond films to date. Daniel Craig's third outing as everyone's favourite spy only has to surpass £93.5m to become the highest-grossing UK release of all time, therefore beating James Cameron's Smurf epic. So, the question is, unlike Avatar, does Sam Mendes' take on the 007 franchise deserve such huge box office success? The answer is a resounding yes.

Timed to coincide with the release of Dr. No in 1962, Skyfall is the twenty-third Bond film and sees MI6 come under direct attack and Bond's loyalty to M is pushed to the limit. This is, without a doubt, the most personal of the 007 films and Craig is quickly becoming one of my favourite actors in the role. His performance in Skyfall is both quietly nuanced and brash; aggressive and sensitive and supremely intense. The supporting characters are fantastic as well. Two Bond girls (or three, depending on how you look at it), a scarily-camp villain (Javier Bardem), Ralph Fiennes and the inimitable Judi Dench as M gave the whole thing a sleek and elegant feel.

From a bike chase in Istanbul to a denouement in the Scottish highlands, the action is achingly visceral and enthralling, whilst still retaining the real essence of Bond which had – arguably – been missing from recent films. Craig has returned Bond to his literary roots and champions a dark, even malevolent, character with a traumatic past. I really admired the film's focus on Bond as a human and not the perpetually immaculate, suave womaniser which has characterised so many previous films. This is not to say, of course, that Craig isn't full of quick one-liners and he certainly does the rounds with the women. But Daniel Craig's 007 has matured and is rather battle-weary: he fails a fitness test, is much more affected by his fights (both physically and emotionally) and has even developed tear ducts. This multi-dimensional characterisation was a joy to watch and Craig's performance was very self-assured.

On a visual level, Skyfall looks exquisite. Luscious cinematography from Roger Deakins, combined with an engaging narrative and great direction from Mendes created a picture which oozed style and sophistication – just what you want from a Bond film. Adele's theme gave the opening credits a real sense of occasion and set the tone of the film perfectly. Bardem's villain – a cyber-terrorist – was enigmatic and intoxicating to watch as he strutted around with his henchmen and was really rather scary as, in a very surreal scene, he began to stroke Bond's thighs. Coupled with just the right amount of exposition and action, the pace of the film – although long at 143 minutes – seemed appropriate and well planned.

Skyfall is a dramatic, rich and highly-enjoyable return to form and can easily be considered as one of the best Bond films. It has the cars, the locations, the gadgets, the women and the action, all cemented by Craig who is fantastic. In a year of all things British, you can't get more British than Bond and if you haven't seen it, see it. It won't disappoint. 

Clapperboard Rating: * * * * *