Skyfall is about resurrection (what
Bond calls his hobby), it is about Bond losing his touch and having to
rediscover it to do what he believes in, which is protect his country. And
while this movie provides a realistic and human portrayal of Bond, it would
never have been complete without M, the ever graceful Judi Dench. There is a
strange chemistry between the two that runs throughout the movie, filled with
sardonic humour, but if you could catch the subtlety, it is more about the
pride that both have for each other. An understanding that duty comes
first.
It is difficult to not admire
Daniel Craig for the resurgence he has provided to the James Bond movies. While the
studio and the script writers have to be given their due, Craig brings with him
a strong exterior personality without going over the top. There is a calming
effect about his presence, a down-to-earth approach to things that makes it all
believable. At 44, Daniel Craig has put in sufficient physical effort to look
right for the role (puts in two hours of workout each day of principal
photography after the shooting is wrapped) and has been admired by the cast and
crew for going ahead with a lot of physical stunts, bringing with it a sense of
realism. While some say that it is his job, the actor's dedication to it is
still commendable. A casting which was questioned when Pierce Brosnan was
replaced, the decision no longer remains moot. Daniel Craig has signed up for
two more Bond films, which keeps me (and surely many others) gung-ho about the
Bond franchise for a few years at least. And with the success of Casino Royale and Skyfall (which has already become the highest weekend grosser in UK
tipping off the last Harry Potter
film), it seems that the new 007 would continue to be quick with the gun,
sharp-witted with his tongue, good with the women, fast with his cars, and yet
be a human underneath it all – with a subtle sense of emotion shown here and
there!
