Rating: 5/5

Three-Word Summary: Best Bond ever

I was once a James Bond junkie. I’ve seen each of the (so far) 23 films in the spy series multiple times.

Which was why I was slightly skeptical when critics hailed Skyfall as the best yet when it was released in 2012.

Then I saw it and understood that they were correct.

The unrealistic action sequences, corny one-line humor, overt sexuality and cliche spy gadgets from most of the previous Bond films were fine during my childhood.

But the Bond played by Daniel Craig in Skyfall is much more suitable to the more mature me, not to mention most audiences who have grown accustomed to the same old spy films.

Similar to the previous two Bond films featuring Craig, the action is much more gritty and realistic. Bond is more privy to being in actual danger and losing control of situations and himself.

Perhaps what makes Skyfall standout from the other two (Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace) is the villain.

Played by the indomitable Javier Bardem, Raoul Silva is potentially the best Bond villain of all-time. He’s as cunning and manipulative as he is crazy. Manipulative because he pulls off the whole get-captured-on-purpose thing. Crazy because he pulls out his teeth, thing.

Additionally, the end of the film dives into the dark unknown depths of Bond’s past and tugs heartily at the audience’s sense of spy nostalgia.

To top it all off, the theme song by Adele is among the most powerful and stirring of any of the outstanding numbers played at the beginning of a Bond film.

In all, Skyfall stands as one of the absolute best in one of the longest-running and most well-known movie franchises ever. It redefines and invigorates one of cinema’s greatest characters.

Let’s just hope the next installment (Spectre) can live up to the name.