Having watched every James Bond film on the big silver screen since The Spy Who Loved Me in 1977.

It was almost surreal to see Skyfall being made by an Oscar winning director, go on to win Oscars and become one of the top grossing films of all time. The billion dollar Bond.

To think back in 1989, Licence to Kill could not compete with the likes of Batman, Indiana Jones or Lethal Weapon 2 in the US box office.

Bond is presumed dead after a mission goes wrong in Istanbul as he tries to retrieve a hard drive containing a list of top agents. M is under pressure especially as it seems she is being targeted by an anonymous cyber terrorist who turns out to be a rogue agent Silva (Javier Bardem) who was once M's most effective spy.

Skyfall celebrated 50 years of the Bond films in the cinemas. It also takes liberties with the messy timeline of the film series. Daniel Craig's novice spy from Casino Royale is now a disillusioned veteran, at one point told to call it a day.

The film re-introduces some familiar characters after being away for a few films, a younger more hi-tech Q and a new Miss Moneypenny. There is also a new M hovering in the background. The film also references earlier Bond movies as part of its golden anniversary celebrations.

Although the film contains international locations, breathtaking action, some sumptuous cinematography from Roger Deakins, it flags a bit in the middle when it needed an additional action sequence.

What director Sam Mendes does bring is some character moments and making effective use of Judi Dench as she recites some Tennyson.

Unusually for a Bond film, this must be the only occasion where the villain actually achieved all of his objectives!

I have a fondness for James Bond and for most of the movies. My favourite Bond is Sean Connery and my personal favourite Bond film is Goldfinger. To cut to the chase I do like Daniel Craig as Bond, he is very charismatic and has truly magnetic eyes. Skyfall for me is his best outing, I liked Casino Royale and didn't care at all for Quantum of Solace, and one of the best of the series. Craig himself is spot on, both of the qualities I mentioned are here, and he brings to the role charm and sophistication yet ruthlessness and grit, paying homage to all the Bonds before him. Craig is not the only actor in the cast who impresses. Albert Finney is always watchable and here is no exception, and Naomie Harris is very alluring. It was nice to see Ralph Fiennes too, who I've always liked and in recent years I have wished that there were roles that played to his strengths rather than waste them and thankfully his performance displays the former.

Even better are Judi Dench and Javier Bardem. Dench is outstanding as M, who is more complex than she is before, then again I wasn't surprised as she has always set a high standard in everything she's been in. Silva I don't think is quite in the same league as Goldfinger, Blofeld, Rosa Klebb and Jaws, but more than holds his own, as he is ruthless and always has a plan. Almost reminiscent of a lecherous and somewhat campy Hannibal Lector, Bardem has all the best lines and brings a sinister edge to his performance. I have always had a fondness for the Bond girls especially Pussy Galore, Solitaire, Vesper Lynde and Elektra King. Severine is a worthy Bond girl, enigmatic and the very meaning of glamorous.

Skyfall is the epitome of class in every other way as well. The cinematography is very polished, while the scenery is breathtaking. Anybody expecting action scenes that will leave you on the edge of your seat, you will not be disappointed, as the pre-credits sequence in the Grand Baszar(Istanbul) is truly thrilling. Fans will also love the inclusion of the original Astin Martin DB5. Like with Craig's performance, it was another successful homage to the previous Bond movies. Sam Mendes as director was a risk, his directing could either have been great or awful. But it was a risk that paid off, as Mendes keeps everything perfectly, having a style that plays to his forte while incorporating the classic Bond elements to great effect.

He is helped further by a hugely compelling story, the action is beautifully judged but what was also special was how human the drama felt. Even the Brosnan films or the previous two Craig outings didn't have the complex relationship between Bond and M, that is done to intense and moving measures. The ending was a complete surprise, in a shocking and heart-rending way. The theme song was also wonderful, maybe not quite classic status like the those of Goldfinger, From Russia With Love, Diamonds are Forever and On Her Majesty's Secret Service but infinitely better than those of Die Another Day, Quantum of Solace and Octopussy. Singer Adele sings meaningfully, and it is on the whole very emotionally charged, which I loved.

The score is also excellent, John Barry it isn't, then again I wasn't expecting it to be at that standard. It succeeds on bringing the right amount of thrills, pathos and jauntiness. And to top it off, the script is very intelligently and wittily written, Bardem has the best of them but everybody has lines to care about without coming across as questionable. Overall, a triumphant Bond outing in every way, after Quantum of Solace I was dubious but after a film this good I have no need to worry now. 10/10 Bethany Cox

"Skyfall" is a good film and it made a buttload of money. Whether or not you love it will depend on how much you love stunts, explosions and chases. If you adore them and can't get enough of them, then this film is for you! It's more like "Die Hard" in many ways than a traditional James Bond film. As for me, I don't particularly love stunts and really like more plot and dialog--so it wasn't a film that I fell in love with...but it wasn't boring.

I could review the plot or talk at length about this film, but really don't feel a need. At this point, there are over 1200 reviews for the movie!! But I will mention one problem I found with the film--dumb lapses. In other words, instead of working out logical errors (such as how the MI-6 computer system was so easily compromised as well as why Bond ALONE took on the baddies at the end with no help whatsoever from the British military--even though this took place in Scotland!) the film was too concerned with explosions. As for me, it's a decent film but nothing more.