Skyfall (2012)

Skyfall, Bond #23, is the last entry in the franchise that I had not previously seen. This film continues the pattern of the Daniel Craig Bond films of not essentially reverting to status quo at the end of the movie, which the franchise had more or less done since Sean Connery left the second time. The plot here concerns a MI6 agent gone mad (Javier Bardem, who is really good in this, a memorable villain) and his revenge plot against M (Judi Dench) who he blames for letting the Chinese capture and torture him 15 years earlier. The movie itself starts with Bonds presumed death, he of course survives but goes underground, thinking he may have found a way out of his dangerous life, only to re-emerge when he feels he is needed. Ralph Fiennes as Gareth Mallory, Naomie Harris as Miss Moneypenny, and Ben Whishaw as a young Q are all introduced in this movie. Bérénice Marlohe is a Bond girl, Albert Finney is the games keeper at the Bond family estate (there is probably more Bond back story in this film then in any previous movie). Exotic locations include Istanbul, London of course, uncertain but tropical, Shanghai, Macau, island near Macau, and Scotland. The theme song performed by Adele will nicely root this movie in its time for future audiences. ***1/2