A Totally New Direction

Rating: 8/10 (15 November 2006)

I have just returned from seeing Casino Royale and have had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
Last year when Daniel Craig was announced as Bond I have to admit, I had my misgivings. I was all set to join the ranks of the Craig-haters and try to lobby for the return of Brosnan (then my favourite - and there's your first clue).
There is no way that Brosnan could have pulled off this film (Sorry Pierce), this was Daniel Craig's moment and he has proved himself to be an excellent Bond. The reboot idea is fantastic and the opening sequence is truly awesome. The film has some great comic moments but the best thing about it is the gritty realism. Bond bleeds, he fights hard, he even looks right in the tuxedo.
The film does have one or two gadget heavy moments which do let the film slip from a 9-10 star to an 8 star for me. But on the whole, I loved the step away from gadgets.
Long live Daniel Craig as Bond!