review: skyfall

Let me go on the record and say that I was not a Bond girl. Sure, I've seen most of the Bond films with L., either in the theatre or on cool nights by the fire at home because my husband is a HUGE Bond fan. Up until, last week I thought the Bond movies were basically guy films but oh, "Skyfall" you got me. I am now a Bond girl. Wholeheartedly. 100%. Bond.

Sure, "Quantum of Solace" and "Casino Royale" were good films, entertaining films but "Skyfall" is BOND. It is a fast-paced, infinitely gripping story that will thrill even the biggest Bond fans (including my husband). When Daniel Craig first appeared as James Bond 007 in "Casino Royal," I said to L. that I didn't prefer him as James Bond because he was so tough, more of a guy's guy. He didn't have that smooth, cheeky, pretty, dry-witted, suave, continental demeanor of Pierce Brosnan or Sean Connery who seemed to be more of a woman's Bond. While this is still true, Daniel Craig has won me over with his extraordinary performance. He shoots, he chases, he loves, he breaks down. There are more facets to this Bond than a perfect conflict-free diamond.





In typical Bond fashion, Bond is involved with one hell of a woman but this time, this Bond Girl is M (Judi Dench), his MI6 boss whose past has come back to destroy her. It's up to 007 to find (and eliminate) who or what is behind the conspiracy to take down M. (If you were looking forward to more traditional Bond Girl eye candy, don't worry, she's still there in the character of Severine (Berenice Marlohe.)

From the very second the screen comes up from black, the action is never ending. From the "How did they do that?" chase scenes through the city and on a train to the powerful scenes with Javier Bardem (Silva) as a blonde criminally insane mastermind, you are in Bond's tight, fierce grip.

OK, yes, this is a Bond movie and James Bond fans will see it and love it, but if you haven't considered yourself a big Bond film in the past, or you went along to the last film just because someone else wanted to see it, go see this movie. "Skyfall" is an action packed, exotic, emotional trip into James Bond-land. I think I want to become a permanent resident.