Bold. Brutal. Bond.

Rating: 10/10 (16 November 2006)

After the travesty of Die Another Day it was inevitable that the franchise would have to be taken in a new direction, but I would never have expected it could be done as well as Casino Royale. The story no longer plays second fiddle to the gadgets, Bond is no longer a pantomime action hero and the product placement no longer dictates the action.
Daniel Craig may not have a jet black mane of hair on his chest, but he looks perfectly comfortable in a dinner jacket AND looks as if he's seriously considering killing you (a licence to kill would be pretty useless otherwise, right?). Everything from his cold, emotionless blue eyes to his thuggish swagger suggest that an incredibly painful death will become you if you get in his way. Gadgets are a last resort for this Bond.
My only complaint would be that the next film probably won't arrive for at least two years. :(