What Bond should have been a long long time ago...

Rating: 9/10 (24 November 2006)

Saw movie yesterday...and what can I say ?? It does feel different, and since I've grown up with Brosnan's stylish gadget-packed films had to be careful not to fall into abyss of not liking Casino Royale. And I always imagine Bond just like that. Sharp, brutal, realistic. His character is not taken over the top nor is this Bond we've seen in Brosnan or Moore. We don't have 'larger then life' characters. Hell, possibly main villain throughout the story, Mr.White drives with his car to his residence on lake (?) like he is some kind of businessman, unlike Drax or Graves who make their way home (which happens to be ice palace) in futuristic ice-glider.
CR simply feels this way - here, TODAY and yet it has that good old (somewhat 'shaken, not stirred) Bond style. Locations are awesome. Montenegro is pictured to be mecca of jet-set and is actually fun to hear talk and see signs on language you actually understand (I am from Croatia and Montenegro are our neighbors, so to speak :) ). Prague, Uganda, Bahamas and Venice also are pictured better then any of last 3-4 movies.
Craig is awesome as Bond. Eva Green is awesome as Vesper although their romance is maybe too long, but I never thought to look at my watch or think 'God when will it stop'. Mikklesen is excellent as 'Le Chiffre' and there is hardly anyone who I found annoying in scenes.
Same goes for action. Rather intelligent, unlike Die Another Day, it fits exactly where it needs. Airport chase scene is one of the best I have seen so far.