Good Movie, Bad Bond

Rating: 6/10 (20 November 2006)

Last night, I went to see the long awaited Casino Royale and came away with mixed emotions. I enjoyed significant stretches of the movie but at the end, I went home unsatisfied and thinking I could've waited for this to hit the DVD shelves.
I thought the movie and the plot was characteristic and "Bond-Worthy" enough. However, the new 007 is at best "Forgettable" and it's my sincere hope that he will have the same tenure of George Lazenby (1 film, Her Majesty's Secret Service). The Bond Girl was her usual worthy hot self!!! Granted, not Hallie Berry but very sultry and sexy nonetheless. I did miss Q and his introduction of the gadgets that Bond uses to ultimately best the bad guys. Q's moments in the previous films prepare the viewers to better understand the action scenes and hopefully, his character will return in future Bond films. Speaking of "Bad Guys" "Ho Hum"! A lot could've and probably should've been done to better develop their characters.
Overall, I thought the film was worth viewing (even at $10.50), 007 notwithstanding. It is my prayer that a new Bond is discovered in time for the next film.