Skyfall Blu-Ray Review

Our definitive verdict on the Triple Play version of one of 2012's greatest films!
Few filmgoers would have dared to deny that Skyfall proved to be one of the most truly satisfying surprises of 2012's film offerings. Coming off the back of 2008's disappointing Quantum Of Solace, it wouldn't have been a shock to see the Bond threequel once again fail to live up for expectations, yet the opposite was true thanks to Sam Mendes' role in the 50th Anniversary. Four months on, and we've now got Skyfall out in Blu-Ray retailers across the world- can the twenty-third James Bond movie (and Daniel Craig's third) possibly still retain its strengths without its initial surprises intact?
THE MOVIE
Put simply, the answer to that first question is Yes: none of the scale and gravitas of Skyfall has been lost in its translation to the small screen. Indeed, the crystal-clear HD quality of the Blu-Ray format seems to have allowed for a glorious increase in efficiency visually, placing hundreds more pixels into the hands of the film's editors and making every setpiece and subtle sequence all the more sumptuous for it.

To this day, the power of the almighty cast remains a resonant and impactful feature of this motion picture that never fails to defy belief- Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Naomi Harris and so many other notable players ensure that each and every event within the narrative's context is never anything less than gripping. What's perhaps most effective about the ensemble as a whole are the screenplay writers' constant attempts to ensure that all of the key players have innovative and ambitious material to toy with, the concluding scenes between Craig's steely protagonist and Dench's blunt-yet-empathetic M particularly memorable in this regard.

Above all, Skyfall's immense power as both a standalone motion picture and indeed the 50th Anniversary centrepiece lies in its ability to shock and thrill in every way you could expect and more ways besides. The tales of 007 have often featured their fair share of twists late in the day, yet this film's surprises resonate most due to their strong deviation from the norm. We're assured as the credits kick in that 'James Bond Will Return', but one thing's for sure- Ian Fleming's most prized creation is already back, bringing with him a stunning blend of the old and new. Skyfall doesn't simply "teach an old dog new tricks", it throws the trick-book out of the window and uploads its own ideas to the internet, ensuring that the first half-century was just the start for its acclaimed franchise.
THE EXTRAS
As you'd expect from just about any goodwilled Blu-Ray available on the market nowadays, this incarnation of Skyfall comes packed with a host of memorable extra content...
SHOOTING BOND- An hour-long documentary compiling together plentiful numbers of featurettes based around Villians, Cars, The Title Sequence and The Future for starters, this is an impressive behind-the-scenes look at the film, even if it feels as if compiled together by stock promotional interviews at times.
SKYFALL PREMIERE- This one does what it says on the tin, really: it's a lovely insight into the British premiere back in October 2012. Prepare for tuxedos, dresses and Aston Martins galore in a star-studded rendition of this mighty celebration of the 50th Anniversary.
THEATRICAL TRAILER & SOUNDTRACK PROMOTIONAL SPOT- Again, these are relatively self-explanatory additions, but both show the incredible talent of the editing team in the build-up promotional campaign to Skyfall's release. Each of them deserve a least one watch for old time's sake!
THE VERDICT
"Maybe it's her way of saying you need a desk job." "Exactly the opposite, actually." Sam Mendes weaves together classic and innovative new elements in its narrative and direction that continue to make the James Bond film franchise such a justified hit. While you'll only get so much mileage out of the somewhat limited extras roster, the additional features are perfect supplements to the main masterpiece. Whether you're buying this on the merits of the movie alone or indeed to finish that prized Bond 50 Blu-Ray collection which came with a specific space for this twenty-third installment, Skyfall's Blu-Ray edition will leave its viewers just as shaken, stirred and eager for future Daniel Craig entries as the movie did in its box office term.
5/5