Skyfall (2012)

When a computer hard drive with a list of undercover NATO agents in terrorist cells is stolen, M (Judi Dench) finds her capability questioned and her job on the line. Enter 007 (Daniel Craig) who has orders to track down the man behind it all. The 23rd entry in the James Bond franchise is one of its very best offerings. Directed by Sam Mendes (AMERICAN BEAUTY), it superbly balances subtle humor with the darkest of Freudian plots in an intelligent script. The stunning pre-credit opening sequence (real stunts, not CGI) sets the pace and the film never lets up. This is Dench's final Bond film and as a farewell gift, the screenwriters have given her her juiciest role in the series and she gives a sterling performance. Javier Bardem makes for one of the most memorable Bond villains (it looks like Bardem studied Hopkin's Hannibal Lecter) and it's not improbable that he may be the first actor to score an Oscar nomination for a Bond film. Thomas Newman's generic action score is a disappointment, the most memorable cues when uses Barry's James Bond theme or the title song (not written by him) in the underscore. All in all, they've raised the bar with this one so one hopes they can maintain the quality with Bond 24. With Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, Naomie Harris, Berenice Lim Marlohe, Helen McCrory and Ben Whishaw.