I had forgotten what Bond should be

Rating: 10/10 (20 November 2006)

When you hear "Bond", what word comes to mind? Suave? Sophisticated? Cool? Years of smarmy Bonds made me forget another word: rugged. This Bond is tough. And Daniel Craig's Bond is not just enjoyable, he's believable.
Over the years, here's what I had forgotten about Bond: 1. I forgot that the reason why Bond gets into such trouble is that he doesn't always see three steps ahead of everybody. Bond gets blindsided. Yet the more recent Bonds seemed very cerebral - quicker with a quip than on the draw.
2. I forgot that Bond doesn't plan, Bond reacts. This Bond is like a great football player who sees the field around him and finds the gaps. Previous Bonds were more like football coaches - planners more than players.
In many Bond movies, I wondered why the bad guy didn't quiver knowing that Bond was on the trail. With Daniel Craig's Bond, I figured it out: bad guys don't quiver because they *think* they can beat Bond; they see a flaw, a weakness ... but they underestimate his resolve and his resourcefulness.
This was not only a terrific movie - I feel I understand Bond in a way I didn't before. Even if you never understood why people liked Bond movies - or maybe ESPECIALLY if this is the case for you - see this movie.
I feel as if the franchise is starting all over again (which in a way, it is).