Why was Skyfall such a Success?

***Warning: Contains spoilers (if you haven't actually seen it yet)***

It's official. 'Skyfall' is the biggest movie in UK box office history.

Bond 23 has now taken £94,277,612 in just 40 days, beating the £94,025,632 record set by James Cameron's 'Avatar' in its entire 11 month release.

[Related story: Skyfall is most successful British film ever]
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"We're overwhelmed with gratitude to the cinema-going audiences in the UK," said legendary Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, "We are very proud of this film and thank everybody, especially Daniel Craig and Sam Mendes, who have contributed to its success."

Apparently 'Nobody does it better', or so goes the song, but how exactly has 'Skyfall' done it?

Game Changer...
The James Bond franchise is the longest-running, most successful film series in history. But after 50 years of tried and tested formula, and more than a few gaffs, you'd think another Bond movie would be just that; another Bond movie.

'Skyfall' did something different though. Rather than try and trump its predecessors with more gadgets, girls and guns… it took a step back. It was a stripped down, streamlined Bond — and we loved it. With a rating of 92% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, beaten only by Sean Connery's early outings, 'Skyfall' has changed the way we feel about Bond.

There was still just enough of the outlandish and exotic that define the series, but with 'Skyfall' we got up close and personal with 007. Where there was CGI before, we had characterisation. Empathy in for explosions. We saw Bond struggle, fail and sweat, and then he took us home to see his parent's place.

The talented Mr Craig…
We celebrated 50 years of Bond by getting to know the man himself better than ever before. That man of course, was Daniel Craig.

After a much debated start ('Casino Royale'), and a difficult-second-outing ('Quantum Of Solace'), Craig finally found his footing with 'Skyfall' — a comprehensive and human Bond. It's as though 007's resurrection and triumph was mirroring Craig's own history with the character.

As if it was almost blasphemous to say it, there were even whispers of Craig being the best Bond yet - Boyd Hilton commenting in The Guardian: "He may not look much like Ian Fleming's conception of Bond but through the sheer unrelenting single-minded brilliance of his acting, he has now usurped Connery."

Best of British…
'Skyfall' was like a cinematic high-five to the UK, perhaps explaining why it was so popular with domestic audiences. Naomie Harris' Moneypenny added chemistry to many a scene and new Q, Ben Whishaw, brought the humour. Ralph Fiennes commanded interest throughout as bastard-turned-hero Gareth Mallory, and then of course there's the "Dench-Factor" — Dame Judi bowing out of the franchise in her most in-depth Bond performance yet.

Aside from the cast there was the Great British setting. Yeah there was the obligatory casino scene in Shanghai, and hot and fast action in Istanbul, but 'Skyfall's two leading set-pieces were set in two uniquely British places: a quietly epic Scottish farm house, and the London Underground.

Of course, having the Queen onside at London 2012 doesn't hurt either.

Something for the ladies…
To put it bluntly, Naomie Harris gave us a Bond girl with balls. The reinvented Moneypenny was a pro-active, modern counterpart who treated 007 as an equal. Alright she retired to a desk job, but she made sure it was her choice.

However, part of Bond 23's popularity amongst women was due to the man himself. Compared to the uneasy uncle-like Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan's pretty-boy and the outright misogyny of Connery, Craig's Bond isn't too bad. The rugged looks that caused the 5ft 10, blond haired Craig so much controversy at first have now redefined the role and given Bond genuine sex appeal.

Audience demographics were split around 60/40 male to female. That's about as close to equal as any action-thriller is ever likely to attract. Alright 007 is still far from the enlightened modern man, but 'Skyfall' at least managed to shed some of the sexism.

Legacy…
After the shaky 'Quantum Of Solace', 'Skyfall' has reasserted Bond's place in British cinema and ensured the continuation of the longest running film franchise in history. But, if 'Skyfall's UK success really has proved just one thing; it's that the movie business is still about people. 'Avatar' had motion capture, green screen and 3D… But 'Skyfall' had Bond. James Bond.