Bond IS Back

Rating: 9/10 (17 November 2006)

Yesterday was humble pie time for me after watching 2 hours plus of first class entertainment. I will confess to backing the CraigNotBond lobby early last year and I was WRONG! Hugh Jackman was my preference and although I still feel he would have made a superb 007, Craig deserves another chance.
What Craig lacks in the movie star stakes he makes up via his acting ability. He has created a Bond closer in character than his predecessors. Don't get me wrong, Connery is still the quintessential Bond in my eyes, but Craig gets very close. Had he been closer in looks and not just the manner of Flemings Bond then I'm sure he would take the mantle of best ever Bond.
Every Bond has brought a certain something to the role, Connery the poise of a panther combined with that sardonic charm, Lazenby an athleticism not seen (until now), Moore captured the suave sophistication of the man, Dalton (another fine actor) delivered a new depth to the role and Brosnan breathed new life into an ailing franchise with a studied portrayal. Daniel Craig seems to combine all of these qualities and delivers them with a wonderfully delivered performance.
What we see here is a Bond with a devil may care attitude, an arrogance which slowly transforms on the screen to become a controlled menace. He dispatches justice with a steely eyed focus and, with a swagger, moves on to the next challenge.
I don't want to spoil reader's enjoyment by going into a full review of the movie but there are a few observations I'd like to make.
David Arnold has stepped into John Barry's shoes admirably once more and delivers a quality score. Subtle little touches in the soundtrack throughout support Bond's growth into the Bond we know and love. I particularly liked the subtle Bond riff when he dons the Tux just before the card game.
Visually every set and location adds quality to the whole production. Stunning cinematography, especially the Venice scenes.
Judy Dench delivers a delightful portrayal of M. Scolding Bond verbally on more than one occasion with aplomb and using a few more expletives that we've heard in the past with humorous undertones.
The Bond girls are gorgeous and thankfully can act..remember Britt Ekland, Tanya Roberts? The Astons are there, although short lived and the gadgets are believable. Yes there is a healthy dose of product placement but it isn't a distraction.
If I have any negative comment for the movie, following a high octane first 20 minutes, it does lull and at 144 minutes it's a little too long.
Casino Royale, Bond movie aside, is a well delivered action thriller which proves that Bond IS Back.