Not just a Bond film

Rating: 8/10 (27 November 2006)

This is one of those rare Bond films: one which isn't *just* a Bond film (and I speak as as Bond fan). This one would be a good action film even if you changed the character names and title - i.e. if it wasn't a Bond film. That puts it up there with Doctor No (there wasn't a Bond film franchise before, although there were the books, and it was still successful), Goldeneye, and the best of the rest.
I was a sceptic before seeing the film, but Daniel Craig is an excellent star in the role of Bond. Far closer to Connery than anyone else so far (including Dalton's wonderfully raw characterisation) and with a different kind of charisma to Brosnan. Early days, but there is tremendous potential here - bring on the next one!