Wow. Just wow.

Rating: 9/10 (18 March 2007)

Wow. Just wow. I was incredibly and pleasantly surprised by this film. As one of the many who bemoaned the choosing of Daniel Craig as the new Bond, I must now humbly eat my words. I agree with one movie critic (I almost never do that). This is a new James Bond and the series is better for it.
This is one of the first Bond films I have enjoyed as a film (rather than a mere series "episode") since becoming an adult...well, I guess that would mean ever. A die-hard fan up through my teens, I rooted for Brosnan (then known mostly as Remington Steele) till the role was given to Dalton (my favorite ever Edward Rochester), then I celebrated. By the time Brosnan took over the role, I wasn't so die-hard anymore. Though I caught and liked Brosnan's outings. I worshipped Roger Moore's Bond till I grew old enough to take a really good look Connery's version. I appreciated Dalton. And thought Brosnan was the embodiment (at least my embodiment) of the character. But if I had to pick a favorite Bond today, it would be Craig. I'm not sure that I can yet see him as *the* James Bond, but he's definitely the Bond I can relate to most. His Bond is more man and less myth.
In disagreement with another poster, there's very definitely a story here - the making of James Bond. And its strength lies in the character development. Here we can see Bond as a man rather than a caricature. There are still chases and fights and women, but overall it's a movie more about the man than the super spy.
Was that the result of choosing Craig or a joint success of Craig and the writers? I don't know. But it worked. At the very least, I'd have to agree with another critic in that Craig approaches the character as another role rather than an icon and turns in a great performance for it. Given the fan outcry, he had nothing to lose in playing the role against type.
Although appreciative of Craig's other work, I never realized just how good of an actor he is. Just watch the play of emotions that cross his face. Two scenes stand out. The first was meeting with M in her apartment. (Craig and Dench play off of each other amazingly.) Their dynamic was very much like a shamed boy and his disappointed, yet hopeful mother. I never got that from Brosnan with Dench. The second was the first meeting with Vesper Lynde and they were "reading" each other. You're not quite sure if she right, but she definitely hit a nerve. Interesting that Bond's greatest vulnerabilities were shown in the company of women. And you can see it move across Craig's face. Very well done.
In agreement with another poster, the movie was about 20 minutes too long-those last 20 minutes at the end. I understand why they were there for character development and story purposes, but the story could have been told without them. If I found anything awkward about the movie, it was Bond's being "compassionate" and comforting with women. Here Bond seemed uncomfortable and out of place - awkward. While that seems right for this particular incarnation of Bond, it made it difficult to link this Bond with the suave operator of the past. Perhaps, that's the point. Here we get the raw, unhoned Bond. The Bond we all know hasn't developed yet. Bravo! All in all, this is the first Bond film I've ever felt a desire to own.