Review-O-Matic - Skyfall (2012) - NO SPOILERS

[beckymonster]

Two years ago, it looked like it was the end of road for 007. MGM were in dire straights (and I don't mean the band) and after the not-up-to-snuff Quantum of Solace it wasn't looking too good for MI-6's finest.

Fast Forward to 2012 and the Queen is not the only one enjoying a Jubilee year, so is Mister Bond - he is 50 years old. So how's he doing in his Golden Jubilee year?

Quite wonderfully if you ask me.

As I said in the subject line - I won't spoil anything. And I do recommend that if you've already decided to go see this film, don't read any reviews. There are too many grace moments and joys in this film that are best discovered without them being spoiled for you. Most critics know this and will honour it but even with the best of intentions, somethings may slip out.

What I can tell you is that this Bond is not the cocky superspy he has been. He's been left for dead. I can say this - it's been mentioned in the trailers and it happens before the excellent title sequence kicks in; which looks like a fever dream created by the late great Alexander McQueen along with that gorgeous Adele song - he's not the man he once was.

When a ghost from M's past returns, with devastating consequences, to haunt her, Bond returns to duty, whether he's ready for it or not.

Thankfully, he's not without allies in the forms of Naomie Harris' Eve and Ben Whishaw's Q as well as the magnificence that is the one and only M in the form of Dame Judi Dench.

Of course, no Bond film is complete without it's villan and Javier Bardem as Silva meets the challenge wonderfully. Watch out for a scene between him and Bond that will make jaws drop. And if there is not an explosion of fanfic, then what is the point of fandom?! Not to mention, if fandom does not go gaga over Q, who is all gentle snark, floppy hair and a certain air to him that makes you want to ruffle his hair before doing something sexually obscene to him (or is that just me?!) there is no justice.

I swear, yuletide sign ups for this year haven't closed yet and I'm already thinking about next year's. Once you've seen the movie, you'll understand.

Talking of explosions - there are plenty of those but it's the character moments, both call backs to the Fleming novels and to previous films that make this film the jewel that it is.
Make no mistake - this film left me shaken AND stirred in a very good way.

Oh and did I mention that Daniel Craig wins the 'Hugh Jackman Award for most scenes withOUT a shirt on'?! Not that's ever a bad thing - oh hale no. Thought I'd throw it out there as an incentive;)

It is one that demands to be seen, at least once, on a big screen. I saw it in IMAX and it was a thing of beauty.

Go see!