I was going to give it 10 then...

Rating: 7/10 (20 November 2006)

Half way through this I distinctly remember thinking it was the best Bond film I've ever seen... The switch of emphasis from CGI to live stunts is a great idea. The fight scenes and one scene near the end can only be described as "vicious". I was amazed this level of violence is allowed in a 12A film - my wife and I both said our nephew shouldn't be allowed to see it. That aside, however, to see Bond bloodied and bruised makes a real change from the "Straighten the tie and walk away" style we've become used to. There are no "witty" one liners, very few puerile sexist comments and a feel of gritty reality which is a genuine return to the early films before political correctness and the desire for a family audience began to dilute things.
But by the end I had a vague feeling of disappointment I couldn't quite put my finger on... and I think it comes down to two main things. The middle part of the film lacks pace and seems too long - I heard another audience member say the middle 45 minutes were "boring"! But the thing which broke the spell for me was the cynical use of the Aston Martin DBS for what must have been less than 60 seconds footage. The exposure of this vehicle in the trailers and the teasers and interviews gave the impression it played a major part but it doesn't... I'm a self confessed petrol-head and a huge fan of car chases and I get a very strong feeling I've been conned. It's been a staple of the Bond genre for ever and I now realise one of the things I most look forward to when watching one... I was gutted.
I would have given this 10 if weren't for this...