Page 18 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • November 21, 2012 James Bond returns to cinematic roots in ‘Skyfall’ by Dennis Seuling “Skyfall” is the 23rd film in the James Bond series that was first brought to the screen by producers Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman in 1962 with “Dr. No.” There have been several Bonds since Sean Connery played 007. In “Skyfall,” Daniel Craig takes on Bond for the third time. In a dazzling pre-credits sequence, Bond chases a bad guy who has a list of all undercover NATO field agents. The agents’ lives will be in danger if their identities are revealed. In a car driven by his associate, Eve (Naomie Harris), Bond makes his way through narrow Turkish streets, continuing the chase aboard a motorcycle, across the roofs of a bazaar, and eventually atop a speeding train. The sequence is one of the best action pieces in the Bond series. As directed by Sam Mendes, the scene is thrilling, suspenseful, and reminiscent of what the Bond films have lost sight of in recent years. Because of a setback that occurs during this chase, Bond is out of commission for some time, drinking heavily in tropical locales, when he learns MI6 has been attacked. It’s time to return to action. There is friction between Bond and M (Judi Dench) because of an order she gave that seriously compromised him, yet his loyalty and devotion to country have motivated him to get into the game. Bond’s nemesis this time is Silva (Javier Bardem), who is using advanced technology to hack into MI6’s computers James Bond (Daniel Craig) attempts to retrieve sensitive information in a Turkish marketplace in a scene from ‘Skyfall.’ and cause enormous havoc. Specifically, he has his sights set on M. The best aspect of “Skyfall” is its respect for the franchise. Rather than going off in new directions and reimagining the series, Mendes and crew have brought back many of the touches that made the films so popular in the first place, including the original Bond theme, heard in a few dramatic points throughout, that great Aston-Martin from “Goldfinger,” and a more grounded -- yet lethal -- villain. Bardem channels some of his contract murderer Anton Chigurh from “No Country for Old Men.” With blond hair and a creepy, somewhat feminine manner, his Silva is a definite match for Bond. As in most Bond pictures, the villain commands an army of expendable and heavilyarmed mercenaries. There is a suggestion of the Javert-Jean Valjean relationship as Silva targets M and spends enormous energy, weaponry, and planning to destroy her. Dench has a sizable role in “Skyfall,” not the two or three scenes that characterize her contribution to the six previous films in which she portrayed M. Dench is a superb actress and knows how to deliver a line to give it the greatest impact. Viewers see her out from the comfort of her familiar desk facing imminent danger in the field with not a lot of security protection. She is vulnerable, physically, as she is politically. Government officials are displeased with her handling of the agency, and she must defend her leadership and the agency’s relevance in light of new homeland threats. Craig combines a good deal of physicality with quick thinking as he attempts to short circuit the megalomaniacal plans of Silva and protect M. Craig has given James Bond his own, personal stamp. Watching him, one never thinks of Connery, Roger Moore, or Pierce Brosnan. He is a more serious, grittier version of the spy, lacking the appropriate bon mot for any occasion. In fact, a major criticism is that the film is so very serious. There are opportunities in which Bond could get a good line across, yet they are never exploited. Gadgetry is downplayed in “Skyfall.” Q is played by a mop-haired Ben Whishaw, who looks more like a high school science club geek than a designer of spy devices notes. This Q is an interesting departure from Desmond Llewelyn or John Cleese, actors who have essayed the role in previous Bond movies. Whishaw’s Q conveys an arrogance born of being the best at his game, secure enough in (continued on Crossword page)