50 Greatest James Bond Moments Of All Time
16. Skyfall: Silva's Introduction
The introduction of Raoul Silva is the best introduction to a James Bond villain ever. Like, come on, there isn't any competition at all.
At what is almost exactly halfway through Skyfall - the film cleverly holds back on introducing the main villain until the best possible moment - Bond is restrained in a chair in a deserted building on Silva's island (an incredible setting too), then a lift lowers at the far end of the room.
It changes to a static over-shoulder shot from Bond to the man emerging from the lift and this shot lasts for well over a minute as Silva walks towards us, getting bigger and bigger and delivering a fascinating, beautifully-written monologue that announces him as one of the most compelling baddies Bond has ever faced and beautifully establishes his psychology and motivations.
Truly, this scene couldn't have been better. Also, Javier Bardem's performance was note-perfect and should've been nominated for an Oscar.