Bond is Back.

Rating: 7/10 (19 November 2006)

"Name is Bond, James Bond". For almost half a century this line has been a victim of praise and criticism. Starting from Dr No (1962) starring Sean Connery Bond movies have always been on the lists of top action flicks. New movie's arrival is always awaited. At the same time signing up of a new bond has never escaped controversy. Daniel Craig is no exception to the "New James Bond" controversy. If you have heard, during the golden era of Hollywood, that included screwball comedies and Frank Sinatra, the actors were popular for their grace and their image among the audiences. Perhaps acting department was not on their to do list. Then came Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront (1954). He was never worried about how he looked or his social image among the viewers. Not only people accepted him but he was honoured with his first Academy Award. What Daniel Craig has done for James Bond is exactly what Marlon Brando did for the movies. Until Daniel Craig all the actors who played bond used their grace and style to play the character. But Daniel's presence in the action and the acting department has given this new Bond a really never before seen look.
Is this new Bond capable of what we think? Well as the stiry advances we come to know that Craig's promotion makes him James Bond but there are no gadgets and just one leather dashboard Ashton Martin (well let's give him one). We never know clearly till the end what his job is. All we know vaguely that he has to stop a banker from winning a casino Hold 'em tournament and suposedly funding a terrorist organization. Well the first few sequences not just prove that Daniel is capable but he is rather the only bond who is convincing in his job as a secret agent, ever. Daniel has changed all the parameters of James Bond which makes this movie a must see.
Although there are times when the movie drags a little bit, feels like a holiday romantic movie. But that's not what you remember when it ends. The screenplay is filled with humor, pace, romance and one liners. Perfect for an action thriller. As per the original myths and conventions two ladies add to the story. Not to mention swimsuits and cocktail dresses. In the movie the writers almost were going to reveal M's real name but it ended up being another humorous addition. On a final note I would like to mention that last year Batman Begins (2005) portrayed Bruce Wayne's quest to become the superhero. In Spiderman-2 (2004) Peter Parker's character study was done. Seems like James Bond has gone under the same treatment of character study. Thats why this is a must see. Rating: 7/10.