Review: 'Skyfall'

November 9, 2012 5:04 a.m.

KPBS film critic Beth Accomando reviews "Skyfall."

Related Story: Review: 'Skyfall'

Transcript:

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ANCHOR INTRO: "Skyfall" is the 23rd James Bond film and it arrived this week on the 50th anniversary of 007's screen debut in "Dr. No." KPBS arts and culture reporter Beth Accomando has this review.

BOND 1 (ba)

CLIP: The name's Bond. James Bond.

Ian Fleming's 007, a spy with a license to kill, has fueled one of the longest running and most successful film franchises of all time. Six years ago, Bond got a major reboot with a new actor assuming 007 duties in "Casino Royale." In that film and "Quantum of Solace," Daniel Craig gave us a fiercely intense Bond for the modern world, and one with grit. Now he returns for "Skyfall."

CLIP 007 reporting for duty... where the hell have you been?...

"Skyfall" plays like a Bond take on "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy." It offers less action but more plot about the workings and dirty dealings of MI6. It brings M to center stage and serves up an old school villain in Javier Bardem's delicious Silva.

CLIP She sent you to me not ready, knowing that you would be killed. Mommy was very bad.

"Skyfall" completes Bond's backstory with the satisfying introduction of Q and Moneypenny. It also ends in a manner that's certain to give all diehard Bond fans a total geekgasm. It may not be the film you are expecting from the franchise but it's a film that will prove more satisfying with each viewing. Here's looking forward to Bond 24.

CLIP Music sting

Beth Accomando, KPBS News.

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