Skyfall (2012)

This, the 23rd James Bond movie, is still fun, with lots of chases, stunts, explosions, gadgets, and all we've come to expect from the series. Particularly good work involving motorcycles and trains. Daniel Craig at 44 continues doing many of his own stunts. Judi Dench at 78 is still M and Albert Finney at 76 has a cameo as a houseman. One of the recurring themes is that the old ways are the best, even though this is the first movie in which Q (Ben Whishaw (after he was in Bright Star he starred in the BBC series The Hour)) is younger than Bond. Craig was most recently in these pages in the American remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Dench in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Check out all the different pearl earring/necklace ensembles she wears. Javier Bardem (last in Biutiful) is excellent as the smarmy villain Silva in dyed blond hair and dandy clothes.

There are pages and pages of trivia on imdb. Here are some of my favorites: It was promoted in a short film at the opening ceremonies of the London 2012 Olympics, directed by Danny Boyle from Scotland, in which Queen Elizabeth II said, in her first "acting" role, "Good evening, Mr. Bond." About a third of the budget, or $45 million, came from product placement, especially Heineken beer, but Bond still drinks a martini in at least one scene. It is shaken not stirred (no one utters the words) and poured from a bottle that says 1962 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 007 franchise. The shooting locations are England, Scotland, China, Turkey and Japan, far fewer countries than planned, but plenty luxe. The title track, sung by Adele, debuted at #8 on the charts. It is the first Bond movie ever shot in IMAX, the format in which we saw it three weeks ago.

This is director Sam Mendes' sixth feature (I've seen them all and covered him in Away We Go) and first Bond movie. The script is credited to Neal Purvis & Robert Wade (Die Another Day (2002), Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace, and more) and John Logan (covered in Hugo, which earned him his third Oscar nomination). Curiously, Ian Fleming's name is nowhere to be found in the onscreen credits, even though he wrote the original novels and short stories.

High octane entertainment with beautiful locations and much suspense, still on big screens in this metropolitan area. If you're a fan you've probably seen it already.