Skyfall

And so, with much fanfare, the latest James Bond film is released - and very good it is too!

Skyfall is perhaps not quite the "Best Bond Film Ever", as some have proclaimed, but it is nevertheless a beautifully shot film with a simple enough plot that banishes memories of the disappointing previous entry, Quantum of Solace. (I didn't dislike QoS as much as most, but it definitely wasn't anywhere near as good as Casino Royale.)

Much as I liked the film's inventive action sequences and gorgeous cinematography, it did go off the boil in the final stretch (Home Alone, anyone?). I'd also question the need to open up Bond's past - surely the point of Bond is that he's a bit of an enigma. The revelations were a little too much for my liking.

Overall Skyfall is a great watch, though. Javier Bardem hams it up to perfection, Daniel Craig is on his way to becoming every bit as iconic as the other Bonds (I still don't buy that he's better than Connery, but other opinions are available) and the decks are cleared for the series to continue afresh.

Job well done, Sam Mendes!