Bond - Back in action!

Rating: 8/10 (25 November 2006)

I was neither for or against the casting of Daniel Craig, and went into this movie with an absolutely open mind.
I'm glad they've established Bond's brutality straight away in the pre-credits sequence (though was initially wondering where the gun-barrel was). Mind you, wasn't it rather pointless? I mean, in many previous films the pre-credits sequence has set everyone up for the rest of the film and its plot. If this was simply to prove that Bond has been re-invented, well, I don't think it was all that effective.
LOVED the titles, and the Chris Cornell song. They both blended well, and, were it not for the fact that I didn't know the words, I'd probably have sung along too. Bond songs have been rather lame of late; DAD was awful, TWINE and TND were far too slow and mellow. So it was nice for a change - as well as a male singer finally! Speaking of music, I was most impressed with the score - Arnold's best for sure.
The beginning of the film was strong overall - and the action sequences were superb. It was the middle part of the film that I really enjoyed - the poker game was so incredibly tense; I mean, I don't even know how to play it, but I felt like I was sat around that table with them. Some people have complained that the film lagged during these bits; but I think the very subtle showdown was one of the film's greatest highlights.
The torture sequence was painful to watch, but I think it was necessary to have Bond put through a real test - and also to see Le Chiffre's darker side. Vesper's betrayal and death was quite effective - one of the few effective moments in what I thought was a comparatively weak and unsatisfying ending.
I'll go through some individual characters and state my own thoughts; James Bond:- Brilliant. I must admit that I always prefer the villains in Bond movies, but here, watching the man himself was a highlight. I disagree that he is ugly, or doesn't fit the role. His lighter hair is one of the most ridiculous things anyone could complain about - because it doesn't matter one bit. Craig has the look, the physicality, the character and style of an all-new Bond down to a T. I'd like to think this man will be around for at least two or three more films.
Vesper Lynd:- Quite simply the best Bond girl for decades. I found her intriguing at first, and then, as did Bond, I warmed to her greatly as her character shone through. Eva Green was the perfect girl for the part, and she was everything you could hope for. Her death was very effective, and made me feel for Bond.
Le Chiffre:- Right, this is where I start complaining. I didn't think Le Chiffre was particularly good at all. He looked relatively menacing, and was set up to be a dangerous man - but when it came down to it - what was he? What henchmen he had (who, to be honest, I can't even remember) were completely ineffective. Second of all, he didn't look anything like he was supposed to. Throughout the film he never looked like he had any real control over anything, and he was totally underused. His death was absolutely pathetic, far too early, and at the hands of Mr White - who himself didn't look at all menacing. I firmly believe that Bond should dispatch the main villain himself, at the film's conclusion, in a tense duel. Not that the villain should be killed rather suddenly by some boring character three quarters of the way through the film. Summing up, I don't believe Le Chiffre achieved anything - he was plain, like all his henchmen. His death was just part of what made the film's conclusion weak for me.
Felix Leiter - Were he to be used in future Bond films, I could see the character - and Jeffrey Wright - being used to good effect. Here, he had no real purpose.
To sum up; Strong beginning, very strong middle, and a rather so-so ending which left me unsatisfied. The villains in general were some of the weakest I've seen for a long time - even DAD's were better - simply because of Miranda Frost. TWINE had Elektra King. Hell, even TND had a more memorable villain in Carver - and had the fantastic Dr. Kaufman. But I have to say that the rest of the film thoroughly made up for it - I'm not quite ready to rank it amongst all the others - but for now I can certainly confirm it's in my top quarter. Bond is back in action - roll on Bond 22!