Joan and John Schwartz

‘Skyfall’ directed by the super talented Sam Mendes gives us a very different James Bond. Yes, he’s still the charismatic, super macho male that loves sex, hot women, hot cars, gambling and kicking butt. But this time around, he’s also vulnerable, slightly worn out and much more human. And that’s what makes this film one of the best of the Bond’s.
Don’t want to spoil the fun, so I’ll just talk about the plot with broad strokes.
The film begins in Instabul where Bond (Daniel Craig) finds fellow MI6 agent Ronson, critically wounded and the hard drive of a laptop missing. Bond goes after the thief, hitman, Patrice (Ola Rapace) and we have the standard exciting car chase, motorbike chase and finally the two men wind up fighting on the top of a moving train.
At the same time, fellow spy, Eve (Naomie Harris) who has the bad guy in the cross hairs is ordered by M (Judi Dench) to take the shot. Eve doesn’t want to for fear of hitting Bond. But M is adamant…TAKE THE SHOT. She does…hits Bond who falls into a raging river.
That’s right folks, Bond is dead…Well not really, but everyone thinks he is. And James likes it like that. Why shouldn’t he. He’s on an island somewhere in bed with a hot babe.
However when he finds out that there’s been an explosion at headquarters, he decides it’s time for him to resurface. And it’s a good thing too.
Seems the Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee, Gareth Mallory (Ralph Fiennes) has informed M that the stolen computer disc contained the list of every undercover NATO agent embeded in terrorist organizations around the world and they are being killed.. He tells her that she showed poor judgement in handling the situation and it’s time for her to retire.
Yeah, like that’s going to happen.
‘Skyfall’ is basically a film about revenge. And no one does revenge better than Javier Bardem. He’s absolutely fantastic as Raoul Silva the man determined to bring down M and her organization.
Rounding out the cast is Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw as Q and Berenice Marloe.
‘Skyfall’ which opens Friday November 9, 2012, written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan is an intelligent, exciting and in the end, surprising film that won’t disappoint fans or those new to the genre.
I loved this film and gave it 4 1/2 bagels out of 5. Check out our video to see John’s bagel rating and for more of our thoughts.