Over-egged the pudding

Rating: 6/10 (21 November 2006)

This is a classic example of how more is less. There are some fantastic stunts. There are some great characters, and great lines, great cars and villains. However each one seems underused, just so that more can be fitted in. In my opinion this is a movie which would be much better with 20% less of everything including stunts, characters and plot twists. 20% shorter running time would be much better too. A bond movie is a light entertainment and should not go over 100 minutes. There are fully four scenes of card play. Now I understand the rules of Texas hold-em and I found them boring and utterly predictable. Someone who doesn't know the rules, probably 90% of the audience, would only be confused. Two or three card scenes are enough.
I like a movie with twists, as long as they are clever and delivered like a good punchline. However, the denouement here is rushed and jerky.
Lovely opening credits, but where are the scanty-clad dancing girls? I missed them.
Also there are some truly blatant product-placements. e.g.
Bond: I already brought my tux.
Bond-girl: But this is OscarDe-La-Renta!
Bond: Its tailored!
Bond-girl: I sized you up the minute I saw you
(Bond tries on tux, admires self in mirror)
Why don't they just have an ad-break it would be more honest!
It is refreshing of the directors to make a Bond movie without relying on gadgets and special effects. It is just that this pudding has too many eggs and falls flat for me. Entertaining for the opening sequence and some of the dialogue. Annoying elsewhere.