Skyfall (2012)

After the shambles that was "Quantum of Solace", it's nice to see them at least try to insert a bit of context to the intro. Unfortunately it soon dissolves into another car-chase involving much unnecessary destruction of fruits. That they throw in both some motorcycle-chases and the classic fighting on top of a train, makes for a long intro. But at least there is some very clever usage of an excavator, and for the first time it ends with Bond being shot and losing the MacGuffin. Clever that, do nothing original, and then finish off with a huge surprise.

So we get a bit of a "Sherlock" as M types his obituary, alone late at night, before one of the most peculiar dialogues of the franchise as Ralph Fiennes tries to sack M through congratulations.

As for Bond, it's fair to say that Craig is much more believable as the scar-carrying, scruffy, worn, bitter and self-destructive Bond, coming off a major health-crisis than Brosnan could ever be. Beard or not. His versatility really makes Bond better, and as his age and general health is a recurring theme, they wisely keep him largely unshaven early on, to show off the grey. Dench is still fine, Fiennes breathtakingly subdued, and Naomie Harris (as the new Moneypenny) gives David great flirting and innuendos. Ben Whishaw as a younger Q also has some good banter with Craig, they really did bring out the good screenwriting here. And when you think the chips are in, a delightful supporting part from the utter brilliance that was Albert Finney as a surly Scot.

For a very dark and realistic Bond-movie they chose to give Bardem a look most ghastly character, with a stupid blonde wig and a bad suit over a much worse shirt. There is also the psychotic sadist in him with overly erotic mannerism that makes him a rather dreary villain.  His story-introduction with the rats is pitch perfect, though.

Mendes as a director is rather meticulous to detail, and it's noticeable throughout. For instance the colours of the smoke Marlohe blows at the bar. The lighting is perfect for a wide spread of thin smoke to enhance the wildly yellow filters he applies for this scene. His different filters are a bit too strong at times and his attention to detail does drag on a bit though, making the pace somewhat erratic, and the film quite frankly a bit long. being the longest to date. But Mendes is great at tension, decent at action (with one particularly brilliant set piece) and, as mentioned, the dialogue is far above what is to be expected from James Bond.

Even the plot is decent, though very far from a "Bond"-plot as it, when it all comes down to it, is a very elaborate revenge. He does make some very (and some not) subtle points for the observant viewer. The whole theme is older days vs modern days as both M and Bond defend themselves throughout, in very different ways. And as it turns out, it ends with Bond and two old geezers fighting the oldest of all fights, the stand-off. Having driven a 50 year-old car to a several hundred year old building made of bullet-resisting rock, and used manual labour and DIY-boobytraps to barricade themselves. Fantastic.

So to finish where I started, this film's strength is quite frankly that isn't really trying to follow the formula of Bond. But therein lies the disappointment as well (along with the villain). At least for the fans. That makes it the hardest film in the franchise to rate, as it's not a very good Bond film. It is, however, a good film, with a delectable ending.

8/10

Best car used: 1965 Aston Martin DB5
Most memorable drink served: 1962 Macallan.
Henchmen: A few Asian guys Bond easily kills.
Villain: Javier Bardem as Silva. Over the top. Particularly for such a dark film
Best one-liner: "Just changing carriages"
Song: "Skyfall" by Adele. Brilliant. A slow, methodical piano-intro with a crescendo into the refrains, despite Adele's voice staying within a small range.
Bond-girl: None, really

Quantum of Solace (2008)

So the lengthy pause gave us the brilliant Casino Royale. Would a very short break prove equally fruitful? N.O. No.

The intro is a really bad omen as a car chase bereft of all that made the predecessor brilliant, is all we get. Swerving cameras, frenetic editing, ridiculous stunts and what seems like utterly random shootings and chases, even involving lacklustre policemen firing at will. Short and useless and you start looking for Jason Statham.

Then there is a small dialogue between M and Bond before a genuinely interesting scene enters. That too, is cut very short and then there is more tedious action. Parts of it looks more like the makings of The Inventor in "Edward Scissorhands" than a believable action-flick. After 20 minutes 80% of Craig's lines are grunting and moaning.

After Craig's efforts in Casino Royale, it really is disappointing to see him reduced to a B-movie action-hero here. Director Marc Forster also fails to utilize Judi Dench as Martin Campbell did, but she still makes the best of it, and she does have a rather devastating zinger aimed at Bond. There are also welcome revisits from Giancarlo Giannini and Jeffrey Wright, though only the former makes any impact in what is the longest calm segment in the film. And the only smart scene, as it gives a realistic and dire insight into the effects such lines of work have, and the employees.

There are traces of plot here and there, and the angle where the CIA is trying to overthrow the Bolivian government using a private contractor isn't half bad. That part of the plot is well hidden for most of the running time, though, meaning it's mainly chasing and exploding. There is no henchmen of note, hardly a villain and the dry wit is absolutely sucked out of QoS. So the best thing you an say for this flick is that is at 106 minutes, it's the shortest Bond-film ever, and most of the time the pace is too frantic for boredom.

And at least it has a reference to Universal Exports.

3/10

Best car used: Aston Martin DBS
Most memorable drink served: Dry Martini (three measures of Gordon, one of Vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet, shake until it's ice cold then add a large, thin slice of lemon peel).
Henchmen: None, really.
Villain: Dominic Greene played by Mathieu Amalric. Conniving and always thinking big. Not really memorable though.
Best one-liner: None
Song: "Another Way to Die" by Jack White and Alicia Keys. A strange mix with his beat and her annoying vocals. One of the more quaint duets.
Bond-girl: Olga Kurylenko as Camille. Adds little, if anything, and is outshone by Arterto

Casino Royale (2006)

So out with with the glitz, glamour and smarmy arrogance of Pierce Brosnan and in with Daniel Craig. And do they ever make it obvious with a pre-credit opening all shot in black and white with an utterly brutal brawl of a fight, followed by the coldest assassination Bond has done since Dr. No. It's bleak, it's realistic (for Bond) and it's riveting, even giving a great introduction as to his 00-status.

Though the start seems very unlike Bond from the 80's and 90's, our hero soon travels to Madagascar for some fairly straightforward action to make up for the surprisingly clever start. It does add to the image of Craig as a particularly brutish and pragmatic 007, though. And they really make a point of separating him from Brosnan having him mistaken for a valet. Certainly the only Bond where that would be a realistic possibility.

Craig is a most different kind of MI6 and displays a lot more emotions than his predecessors. And must stronger such. Whether he is tortured or flirting, his expressions are stronger, his language borderline vulgar towards Le Chiffre. There are several lines the former actors simply couldn't get away with. Judi Dench is still perfect as M, whether manipulative, friendly, or straight out angry (a most enjoyable rant) you immediately accept her as someone who can take on the Prime Minister and Bond before lunch and still feel up for a dictator's head for supper. And it's most fitting that Craig's warmest smiles are always aimed at her. Green a perfect fit for our hero, and their tête-à-tête on their first meeting is fantastically written, and well acted, though best by Craig. Generally Green is better after she's shaken like Bond's Martini by the most gruelling fight ever depicted in this franchise, superbly directed and edited. Otherwise there is special mention for Giancarlo Giannini for a perfect supporting role, as is his habit.

Considering how different an instalment in the franchise this is, they stay surprisingly loyal to the concept. Bond seduces and shags the bad guy's woman (while extracting information), thus getting her killed. He is recklessly arrogant (taking great pride in it along the way), he makes women who loathe him turn. He drinks. And he gambles. By far the best sequence in the franchise as a game of Texas hold 'em keeps us at the edge of our seats over middle-aged men (mostly) playing cards for over half an our of running time.

If there is a weakness here (apart from some very cheese lines when Bond and Vesper finally connect), it's in the plot, as Bond seems to stumble over more key pieces than Inspector Gadget the first hour.

The pace is frenetic, but director Campbell seems to find a perfect blend of action, suspense, drama and dialogue to keep it flowing seamlessly. Not to mention that he dares to keep significant parts subtle, giving the film some much-needed smartness. The set-pieces are still huge, but never cartoonish and daft as they keep in mind that this is not a Marvel-flick. The action (and torture for that matter) has no nifty little spins or gadgets. Just knuckles meeting flesh (Bond has the scars to show it) and some gruelling close-ups make it difficult to watch at times, adding to the bleakness. Even the car crashes are just metal contorted and smashed. No fire-bombs anywhere. Add to that a scene of perfect suspense as Bond kills Dimitrios in stealth surrounded by hundreds of people, not to mention the brilliant scene in which he tries to counteract a poisoning, and this is a classic spy-film, regardless of franchise. The added beauty of Vesper's death and Bond's heartbreaking attempts to resuscitate just nails it, perfectly scored by David Arnold's solemn 4-note theme. And then he's back to where he started; failing to get where he wanted to be, assassinating

9/10

Best car used: 1964 Aston Martin DB5
Most memorable drink served: Dry Martini (three measures of Gordon, one of Vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet, shake until it's ice cold then add a large, thin slice of lemon peel).
Henchmen: Alex Dimitrios. Apart from his death, a very dull character
Villain: Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chifre. Understated and calmly evil is always better.
Best one-liner: "Now the whole world is gonna know you died scratching my balls"
Song: "You know my Name" by Chris Cornell. Not bad, but unable to match the brilliant intro.
Bond-girl: Eva Green as Vesper Lynd. Wonderful character, fitting to break Bond's heart twice