…or “Sean who??”
I believe that James Bond is a Time Lord. That’s the only way to describe his regenerative abilities and ability to change appearance over the past 50 years of movies. In this latest movie, under interrogation Bond himself states that his hobby is “resurrection.”
Be that as it may, in this 23 Bond movie, Skyfall, the sixth incarnation of The Doctor James Bond in the form of Daniel Craig really comes into his own. Forget Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace – this is a movie for long-time Bond fans. There are lots of nods to Bond tradition, including the reappearance of Q, Moneypenny, and a gadget-laden classic Aston Martin.
However, just as Doctor Who is at times more about the companions rather than the Doctor himself, this Bond movie is more about Judi Dench’s incarnation of M, and the complex relationship between her and Bond. Dench has almost as much on-screen time as Craig. Javier Bardam makes a great villain. Director Sam Mendes has stated that he modeled Bardam’s Silva character on The Joker from The Dark Knight. While Silva’s gambit is every bit as complex as The Joker’s, Bardam is not quite as maniacal as the late Heath Ledger.
Yes, there are the inexplicable chase scenes, gorgeous femme fatales, and unusual ways to finish off one’s opponents. This is a tradition-laden Bond film, but it works. You would have to go all the way back to Pierce Brosnan’s Goldeneye to find a Bond movie that I enjoyed this thoroughly. I’m sure I’ll be seeing it again on the big screen.