‘Skyfall’

Rated PG-13

5 out of 5 bagels

By Howie Nave

Before I even start, do not let anyone tell you about this movie because the “whoa” factor is pretty incredible with this one. That said, right from the beginning I like a movie that starts out with the action in your face before the credits even start to appear on the screen. So be forewarned: if you arrive late, you’re only hurting yourself.

If you’re a casual Bond fan, you’ll enjoy the action and the story stands on its own to make for a very good movie.

However, if you’re a true Bond fan, you are going to leave the theater more than satisfied at the references made from other Bond flicks that will make you laugh knowing some of the legendary characters from prior Bond movies.

Director Sam Mendes (“American Beauty”, “Road to Perdition”) not only pays homage to James Bond with this being the 50th anniversary of the classic spy franchise, but J.J. Abrams injects life into the stoic “Star Trek” franchise. Mendes electrifies with his first Bond movie, “Skyfall.”

The title sequence launches into Adele’s brilliant song of the same name with Daniel Kleinman back doing his trademark gun barrel sequences that is very impressive. And like a short teaser trailer all its own, sets the viewer up for the feature to follow.

Kleinman also did the title sequences for “Golden Eye” and “Casino Royale.” This is his sixth collaboration as title designer in the Bond series and his second with Bond character Daniel Craig.

This is Craig’s third outing as James Bond and, at 43, is still young enough to pull off a few more in the franchise. Rumor has it that he was offered at least four, possibly five more in the franchise which, if it’s true, would make him the longest running Bond by beating out Roger Moore who played Bond for seven movies.

All I know is that Daniel Craig is my favorite Bond in the franchise — dare I say, maybe even more so than Sean Connery? I’m going to take some heat for that comment, but Craig best encapsulates the multi-faceted character that is James Bond.

Trademarks of any great Bond flick are the villains. You can’t have a great spy unless you have an equally bad nemesis who challenges you and makes it personal. And here with Javier Bardem’s very badass and mentally whacked–out character, 007 has his hands full. Javier is simply brilliant in the role of Silva and pushes it like no other baddie I’ve seen in quite some time. Of course Judi Dench returns as the always-magnificent M who never lets on that she secretly admires Bond for getting the job done. And this time Bond and M are intricately twined, which gives “Skyfall” a great storyline that breathes between the breathtaking action scenes throughout. It gets pretty deep and I’ll just leave it at that.

The supporting cast is top-notch; making this movie even more of a delight than I was expecting. Ralph Fiennes as Gareth Mallory, who thinks some changes are needed at the MI6 Headquarters, is marvelous as is the new Q, played by Ben Whishaw. This marks the first time that a Q in the franchise was actually younger than the Bond character.

And what would any James Bond movie be without its Bond girls? Well guys there are two, but can’t say much more than that as to whose heart he wins. We have the very sexy Berenice Marlohe who turns the heat up on the screen and the just-as-sexy Naomie Harris.

Every character in “Skyfall” is like pieces to a successful puzzle and if any of them were missing would just weaken the movie. “Skyfall” is classic Bond, at its best paying homage to the franchise in a handsome way what with this being its 50th year and one of the best James Bond outings that I’ve seen since the last century. There will definitely be another Bond film coming that much is certain.

“Skyfall” is rated PG-13 for intense violent sequences throughout, some sexuality, language and smoking and clocks in at 145 minutes.

Howie Nave is host/emcee/manager of The Improv at Harveys. You can hear him Monday-Friday 6 to 10am on KRLT FM-93.9.