this is the good stuff...

Rating: 9/10 (18 November 2006)

Daniel Craig takes on the iconic role and gives it a good kick in the arse! I just saw this today, and I have to say that this is certainly one of the better Bond films I've seen in some time.
Gritty, action-packed and Daniel Craig brings a new depth to a character that seemed too comic-book in previous installments. He played it tough, looked tough, and yet had a some moments of gentleness with Eva Green that rang true. And his acting style was natural enough to give us a Bond that we not only root for, but want to be like, which is very crucial to keeping the appeal of the character and this icon going. I felt a swagger to my step after the movie that made me recall the feeling of seeing Sean Connery in the Bond films and wanting to be like him in attitude and style. Ditto here.
Eva Green is luminous, sexy and intelligent as Vesper. Whenever she appeared on screen, there was an elegance and captivating style to her that made me forget the other bland Bond girls that were just there for show. Denise Richards will still be throwing laptops at old people 20yrs from now, but Eva Green has in this particular role given me an appreciation for her talent enough to warrant keeping an eye on her career in whatever future roles she may take on. Not something one often says about a Bond girl! Judi Dench just plain kicks ass...with just a few words, she steals the screen, and there seemed to be more of a solidity to her character in this film that was missing in the Brosnan Bond films. She too seems reinvigorated by the change of direction the filmmakers have taken with this series.
One more thing: mention has been made of the film feeling a bit overlong...well, it didn't feel like that to me! I wanted more, if anything! Well done by all concerned. Kudos.