DVD: Skyfall

Skyfall is the rarest of Bond films, dividing critics and wowing doubters with extraordinary cinematography and memorable theme tune. Nominated for five Oscars and eight BAFTAS (and winning two), it is the first Bond film to earn more than £1 billion at the global box office.

People who may not see another film at the cinema for years will make an effort to see Bond, and the challenge to Mendes and Eon Productions was how to refresh a spy story for the 23^rd time. Effectively a Bond reboot without rebooting the lead actor, director Sam Mendes took an intricate script by Bond regulars Neal Purvia, Robert Wade and Bond newcomer John Logan (up to write the next two Bond films) to make Skyfall brooding, tingly and personal in more ways than one.

The plot concerns the past of M (Judi Dench) and a rogue ex-agent (Javier Bardem, BAFTA-nominated for this role) out to reveal the identities of agents still working undercover. Bond must find the disc with this valuable information.

The DVD/Blu-ray disc also contains much valuable information, with a documentary in 13 parts, including a look at Bond villains, Bond girls (The Good, The Bad and the Beautiful), locations (License to Travel) and much more. Mendes and Barbara Broccoli provide separate commentaries, which enriches a second viewing. For those who haven’t seen Skyfall – where have you been? – it is better to watch the film through once without first delving into tempting extras like DB5 – Behind The Wheel.