This was Fantastic, THE BEST BOND FILM FOR DECADES.

Rating: 9/10 (20 November 2006)

First off, let me start where the movie starts. I was immediately worried by the peculiar silence after the yawning lion, particularly since the gun barrel sequence has become so synonymous with the bond series. However, regardless of that, I thought the black and white fight scene stood to demonstrate the new demeanour of Craig - Gritty, harsh and intense. Campbell used this as a precursor moment to embody the prequel, and since this is the (first) Bond, and has a duty to explain how he achieves OO status, it replaces the usual gun barrel thrill. Then that gorgeous title sequence kicks in! Wow. And we get the gun barrel sequence too, just at a different point. But Whoa... Cornells caterwauling theme song was just awful (although good title) and where are all the teasingly silhouetted nudes??? Frankly, I didn't mind much, considering the graphics of adversaries dissolving into hearts, aces and clubs was quite certainly the tits of all title sequences. After that, any reservations about the choice of Craig, and the concern that this film really needed to boost the somewhat fledging series were not so much answered, but blinking well blown out of the water. I was enthralled and ready for more refreshing dimensions to the character and the wider scope of the film, and boy did I get it. I admit, I raised an eyebrow too when I heard Craig got the part; and although looks were definitely an improvement on hammy, paunchy old Moore, (although I still liked him a great deal) something seemed wrong, I grew up with smooth, sexy and professional, altogether Brosnan Bond and this was drastically different. I loved it. The opening Free running chase scene is a defining moment in the film, hinting at what was to come. We see no flashy gadgets, instead we see Bond raw, and there's a good reason for this; OO7 hasn't been truly sculpted yet. He's just been promoted, we are watching someone turn into Bond before our eyes, rather than leap fully formed onto the screen with a bow tie and a raised eyebrow. Craig is a tough, gripping, but also hesitant Bond at the onset. His character development is well paced, all credit to Campbell for that. There's a real sense of a learning curve and mood with Craig's interpretation, unlike Brosnans immutably fervent, suave, but emolliently absent character. I noticed that Craig seems like two different people when fighting and talking. He's brutishly silent and really puts in acting effort when doing the action sequences, but then enjoyably human with his dialogue. The bedroom scenes have been excised to some extent, but are demure, passionate and reflect his more impassioned personality. Blue eyes? Blonde? I really came out of it not minding in the least. His rugged looks suit the character and the tone of the movie perfectly, and it's linked to his chronological development as Bond anyway; he becomes more refined towards the end, where he utters his trademark tune. Bond, James Bond. As for the other parts, well Vesper Lynd's defiant gaze does credit to Eva Green. I felt Dame Judi didn't have her best run as 'M' here, although It was nice to see her back all the same. Le Chiffre has a distinctive element to him, he's real enough, but memorable. What an cold, sadistic glare Mads Mikkelsen fired at the camera! The scenes at the casino table made me remember what a true Bond villain should epitomise. The action's all good, enjoyable, inventive and classically amusing in that 'Can only be Bond' way. Campbell definitely remembered his Golden(eye) touch here! The perfect casino setting is quite well exploited, if not drawn out, however, generally it feels well proportioned. Of course the whole film was a little drawn out, and Campbell kept us waiting, then gave us a bit more, and a bit more, and then chopped it off, no tapered clean ending. He made us want more. I would say, as a reader of the novels, the length was due in part to the effort of keeping true to the Fleming plot. To be pragmatic, it's nice to get my moneys worth at the cinema instead of finding the credits scrolling after just 90 minutes. I thought this Film had the best storyline of the last 6 or so movies. It had an overwhelming flow of espionage and true spy/surveillance quality that we all reminisce about, but have missed in the years since Connery. And Craig I think we've probably exhausted the invisible car thing a while ago, but compare it to Casino Royale and its indisputably more believable and more engaging. That's what a film should do, right? Engage with you. I was still engaged two days after I left the cinema. The edge really is in the realism; the lack of hallmark gadgets, while a loss in some ways, is more than made up for in the Acting of Craig and counterparts, The locations, believable plot and the refreshingly sharp tone of the Film. We are given a totally modern movie, with enough original nods towards the hallmark casino, black tie setting that has been forgone in so many recent movies. I always thought Bond's Tuxedo Moments in previous films were woefully short. Not so here! I relished the abundance of it. And as for those gorgeous Sony electronics that feature so prominently... They make up for Laser Rolexes. Product Placement? Blah Blah... can you imagine Bond with a Dell Inspiron? It's all good, Sony own the Film company anyway. Saken and stirred i was indeed when the Aston was trashed :D, not quite matched by the ball whipping. And one of the funniest Bond quips ever. Lets have more of the same in future productions, but one wonders whether they can now surpass Casino Royale.
Well who'd have thought it? Daniel Craig, what a debut, you were spectacular.