Gambled and lost

Rating: 3/10 (9 January 2007)

I have been told that the Italian audiences are complaining that Bond has become "americanized"; that it lost all its "Britishness". I recognize the symptoms but do not agree with the diagnosis.
The allure of the earlier Bond movies was double: absurdity of the action and wit of the dialog. Now the action has been done much more realistic, situated in recognizable contexts. As a result, a spectator watching one of the usual chases starts to wonder whether the British government reimburses the property damages caused by its agents in the course of action in developing countries. A laudable and politically correct reflection, but quite out of place during a Bond movie.
As to the witty dialog, it is there, but needs to be delivered. Alas, both Stallone and Schwarzenegger can be much funnier that Daniel Craig (who belongs to the same heavy weight category of actors). The delivery is never deadpan; it is always dead. I do hope, for his peace of mind, that Sean Connery did not hear the "Bond. The name is James Bond" line in this movie.
The poker scenes are no doubt thrilling to poker-players; to non-poker players, these are exactly the scenes that should be shortened to make the movie a regular length.
All in all, the best is the animation introducing the film. Incredibly imaginative! Perhaps the next Bond movie should be animated from the beginning to the end?