Pleasantly Surprised, but not convinced

Rating: 6/10 (18 November 2006)

When I first heard Daniel Craig had been cast in the role of Bond, I was convinced that the film was going to be awful. Having seen the film I have to say it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be.
The action sequences are very well done and Craig at times shines in the role. Where he fails is in the card scenes and those scenes which require sophistication.
The script is sharp and witty as one would expect from a Bond film, the quips are very well delivered and the scenes are well put together. One can forgive the obvious continuity error in having Judi Dench play 'M' in this film when it is supposed to be the story of how Bond became Bond and she was not appointed until Goldeneye.
While this has proved not to be the flop that many have predicted it would be, it is not however the definitive success that others may have hoped for it.
It definitely heralds a new era in Bond, and Craig may possibly have learnt enough from this film to be able to polish his rough edges should he decide to continue in the role.
All in all, it was enjoyable though at the end of the day it, despite all that was good in it, it lacked that certain something that marks out Bond films. Were it not marketed as a Bond film, it would pass as a very good action thriller film.