One of the best Bond films, one of the best ever blockbusters, and Sam Mendes best overall film, Skyfall represents the apex of the directors career thus far. Mendes and star Daniel Craig depict their Bond as a man at odds with a world that doesnt seem to need him anymore, one which has all but forgotten about man-to-man espionage in an age of advanced technology and modern warfare - themes touched upon but not developed as well in Spectre. Skyfall, then, is much more of a personal Bond film, taking the agent back to his roots to present a retelling of the Bond myth, one rife with deep soul searching and a certain amount of existential angst. Craig has never been better as Bond, and the supporting cast of Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, and Ralph Fiennes make up what is arguably the best Bond line-up ever. Add to that the fact that its the best looking Bond movie (as shot by Roger Deakins) with some of the best set-pieces ever filmed, and you have a film which ranks as the best entry on multiple lists. Mendes helped move the franchise in a new direction, and did so with virtuosity and artfulness, making Skyfall his very best achievement in directing.
