--- title: "Skyfall: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/skyfall/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/skyfall" critics_score: 77 critics_reviews: 13 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Skyfall (2012): what the critics said Critics' score 77 from 13 reviews: 11 positive, 0 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics welcome Skyfall as a confident Bond film that preserves the action, humour and style while giving its characters more emotional weight. Praise centres on Sam Mendes’ handling of Bond’s relationship with M, Roger Deakins’ cinematography and performances from Daniel Craig, Judi Dench and Javier Bardem. The prevailing view is that the personal stakes strengthen the familiar pleasures, with Bardem’s villain drawing particular attention for his menace and theatricality. The disagreement is sharp rather than widespread, and much of it concerns that same attempt to humanise Bond. The Independent finds that backstory costs him some mystery and wit, despite admiring the set pieces and photography. The Financial Times sees the solemn approach as generic thriller-making with too little Bond elegance, while The New Yorker finds calculation rather than a coherent artistic vision. Elsewhere, reservations about uneven tone, underpowered action and a broad villain qualify otherwise favourable reviews. ## Radio Times — Jamie Healy Rating 5/5. The critic lauds the film as one of the best in the series, praising Mendes for blending classic Bond elements with a compelling human drama between Bond and M. It highlights the strong performances, especially Javier Bardem as the villain, and the high production values including cinematography and the theme song. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-k7zjeg/skyfall/) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 10 December 2012. The review celebrates the film as premium Bond with joyous set pieces, witty references to earlier films and strong performances, especially from Bardem and Whishaw. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/first-review-of-skyfall-007s-return-is-premium-bond-8209838.html) ## Time Out — Dave Calhoun Rating 4/5. 26 October 2012. Calhoun finds Skyfall a highly distinctive Bond film that successfully mixes tradition and progress with a sombre mood and stunning visuals. He singles out the emotional depth rooted in Bond's personal crisis and Bardem's creepy, challenging villain. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/skyfall) ## Financial Times — Leo Robson Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 25 October 2012. The review finds the solemn, Bourne-influenced approach lacking in traditional Bond elements and elegance, resulting in a film that feels indistinguishable from generic thrillers despite some borrowings and performances. [Read the review](https://www.ft.com/content/a1a00f38-1e8d-11e2-be82-00144feabdc0) ## The New Yorker — Richard Brody Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 8 November 2012. The critic sees the film as a blend of emotion-tugging realism and calculation that ultimately lacks aesthetic principle or vision. One element singled out for complaint is its aspiration merely to self-perpetuation as a machine-like production. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/skyfall-the-bond-market) ## Empire — Kim Newman Skyfall delivers everything expected from a modern Bond while adding depth, strong visuals from Roger Deakins, a complex villain in Javier Bardem, and effective use of British locations and anniversary nods, making it cool, respectful of tradition, and fun. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/skyfall-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Betsy Sharkey 7 November 2012. Skyfall keeps Bond sharp at 50 with sharper spy-craft, deeper intrigue, and brighter beauties, while adding emotional peaks and valleys. Mendes brings introspection and artistry without losing the franchise's essential action and style. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-skyfall-review-james-bond-20121108-story.html) ## Sight and Sound — Henry K. Miller 26 October 2012. The review celebrates Skyfall as a successful return to form for the Bond series under Sam Mendes, emphasizing its visual splendor and emotional depth centered on Bond's relationship with M. It singles out Roger Deakins’ camerawork and Javier Bardem’s campy villain for particular praise, while critiquing the theme song. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/film-week-skyfall) ## Slant Magazine 23 October 2012. The critic hails Skyfall as a remarkable high watermark for the series, solemn yet funny, sexy and sad, that successfully balances action, humor, and self-awareness while proving the franchise's ongoing relevance through strong direction, Deakins' cinematography, and standout turns from Craig and Bardem. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/skyfall/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw 25 October 2012. Skyfall is a hugely enjoyable action spectacular, more grounded than Quantum of Solace. It is praised for its stylish direction by Sam Mendes, strong performances especially from Judi Dench as M and Javier Bardem as the villain, and its balance of extravagance and realism. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/oct/25/skyfall-review) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy 13 October 2012. The critic calls Skyfall a serious and spectacular show that resets the Bond series effectively, connecting it to real-world concerns while delivering gripping drama, humor, and high production values under Mendes' direction and Deakins' cinematography. It highlights strong performances from Craig and Bardem as a standout villain. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/skyfall-review-daniel-craig-378796/) ## The Independent 26 October 2012. The film gets the Bond series back on track with strong set pieces, Roger Deakins's photography, and a standout villain in Javier Bardem, but the critic has reservations about the script's attempt to humanize Bond with backstory and emotional depth at the expense of his traditional mystery and wit. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/review-mean-and-touchyfeely-james-bond-is-back-on-track-in-skyfall-8227044.html) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis Rating Critic’s Pick. 8 November 2012. The critic praises the film's focus on the human factor in the spy world and Daniel Craig's Bond in a sleek suit powering through action sequences. Mendes is lauded for delivering a strong entry that explores emotional depth alongside Bondian thrills. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/08/movies/skyfall-with-daniel-craig-as-james-bond.html) ## The Times — Kate Muir 26 October 2012. Skyfall is described as a triumphant return to classic Bond that balances fan service with sophisticated filmmaking. Daniel Craig and Judi Dench are praised, along with the action set-pieces and the ending in Scotland. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/film/article/review-skyfall-6x783ghzwqr) ## Total Film — Neil Smith 26 October 2012. The film audaciously deconstructs Bond while delivering a thrilling, glamorous ride with excellent performances, especially from Javier Bardem and Judi Dench, strong visuals, and emotional undertones that mark the Craig era coming of age. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/skyfall-review/) ## Variety — Peter Debruge 13 October 2012. Skyfall is a smart, savvy and incredibly satisfying addition to the 007 series that places M at the center and gives Bond backstory. Mendes breaks from formula while staying true to essentials, exploring characters' emotional states in fresh ways. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/skyfall-1117948556/) ## Vulture — David Edelstein 9 November 2012. The critic praises the film's witty, cheeky engagement with Bond iconography and its thrilling Oedipal and biblical undertones, crediting Mendes for elevating the material with elegant shots, audacious action, and a brilliant, menacing performance from Bardem as the villain Silva. It concludes that the myth is mightier than ever. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2012/11/movie-review-skyfall.html) ## NME — Eve Barlow Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 26 October 2012. The critic hails it as the greatest Bond film ever, praising its simple yet sophisticated plot, cool British spirit, Bardem's terrifying villain, and how it feels fresh and relevant without overcomplicating things. It captures a post-Olympics sense of national pride and classic Bond elements done right. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/skyfall-reviewed-758898) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating A-. 8 November 2012. The critic praises Skyfall as one of the series' most exhilarating and captivating entries, highlighting Sam Mendes' masterful direction, Roger Deakins' gorgeous cinematography, and the film's self-reflective exploration of the Bond franchise's identity. It singles out Javier Bardem's devilish yet sympathetic performance as Silva for particular praise. [Read the review](https://collider.com/skyfall-review/) ## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 7 November 2012. The critic hails "Skyfall" as a nuanced thriller that ranks among the top five Bond films, praising its blend of wit, excitement, and character focus. They single out the intelligent script and Sam Mendes' direction for effectively mixing action with emotional depth, along with standout performances from Daniel Craig and Javier Bardem. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/skyfall-review-nuanced-thriller-leaps-top-five-007-movies-63971/) ## Digital Spy — Simon Reynolds Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 12 October 2012. The critic calls it a stylish improvement that respects Bond's history while pushing into new personal territory, praising the clean narrative, blistering action sequences, Bardem's creepy villain, and Craig's depth as Bond. It elevates the series with strong performances overall. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a430166/skyfall-review-james-bond-celebrates-50-years-in-style/) ## Eye for Film — Max Crawford Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 27 October 2012. The critic highlights it as the best-looking Bond film thanks to Roger Deakins' cinematography and appreciates the fan-pleasing references and strong performances, especially from Bardem and Dench, while noting it's accessible even to newcomers. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/skyfall-2012-film-review-by-stuart-crawford) ## The Playlist — The Playlist Staff Rating B+. 12 October 2012. The review lauds the emphasis on character and story, strong ensemble and villain performances, and gorgeous visuals by Deakins, but criticizes the action sequences for lacking thrill and notes some over-extension and missteps. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-sam-mendes-007-film-skyfall-sees-james-bond-back-to-his-best-20121012/) ## Den of Geek — Ryan Lambie Rating 4/5. 12 October 2012. The critic praises Mendes' direction for establishing a fresh, confident style of action and character depth that moves away from shaky-cam influences, highlighting strong pacing, Roger Deakins' cinematography, and supporting performances. The villain is singled out as uneven and less menacing than hoped. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/skyfall-spoiler-free-review/) ## HeyUGuys — Jon Lyus Rating 4/5. 12 October 2012. The critic praises the film's stunning cinematography by Roger Deakins and the personal, human approach to Bond's character, calling it both classic and new. They note some uneven tone and broad villain but overall find it exhilarating and triumphant. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/skyfall-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/skyfall.md