‘Skyfall’: Out With Old, in With New in Best of Bond

WHETHER they are good, bad or otherwise is quite beside the point. There are films that one sees because they are an event.

That is the case with the James Bond series, filmdom’s continually longest-running franchise. It is on the wave of this sentiment that Yours Truly took herself to see “Skyfall.” I expected a good ride, no matter how much credulity had to be dispensed with in the process.

James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem) have a touching reunion in "Skyfall." Photo courtesy of Danjaq, LLC, United Artists Corporation, Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.

Of course, fans of the film always look forward to the prologue – the on-the-edge of-your-seat, by-the-seat-of-your-pants, pee-in-your-pants opening action sequence. The opener does not disappoint. “Skyfall” is a good ride and, surprisingly, rather quite a bit more. (See trailer above.)

Continuing its rollout across the world with its North American premiere today, “Skyfall” is simply the best film in the franchise. If there is one better, that distinction goes to “On Her Majesty's Secret Service” with George Lazenby as Bond after Sean Connery’s first retirement from the role … More shortly.