60%

Rating: 7/10 (4 October 2008)

I enjoyed large parts of this film. The action, the mood, the acting and probably the most obvious and important the direction that the story of Bond has taken.
This picture is flawed. Hugely flawed. A film that bases itself so largely on any topic ( in this case poker which takes up a large section of the film) should depict it with much more truth than this film has portrayed. The best lie is one that contains 99% truth.
The poker in this film is ridiculous, outlandish and worse still, is delivered to the audience on a silver spoon. This film could have been a lot lot better if the film hadn't believed it's audience to be idiots. Poker is, especially lately, a very widely played game - and in my summation people would understand the game a lot better than this film gives them credit for.
Some might suggest that this film isn't meant to be believable, however the deadpan seriousness of the film, the lack of traditional wacky gadgets and wackier dialogue would suggest otherwise.
All in all, I enjoyed the twist the story of Bond has taken and anticipate the next movie feverishly, but wish this film had been delivered a little more carefully.