Film Review

Rating: 9/10 (25 February 2007)

Don't expect the iconic pose with the memorable theme song, you get straight into the film. A black and white scene set in Prague where the new Bond confronts a traitor in the British government series of flashbacks show of Bond's first kill. And then of the killing of the traitor follows. Only then does the iconic iris pose bring the film into colour with awaited pre-credit title sequence that highlights the silhouette of Daniel Craig.
The film has all the elements of Bond film, but there are obvious differences. There is the beautiful Aston Martin DBS, but it is only introduced later in the film. Judi Dench is still M, but there isn't the support of characters like Q or Miss Moneypenny. Mads Mikkelson's LeChiffre is the villain of the story, but the villain has his own troubles as he sets the poker game in order to make up lost terrorist money he owes. Usually Bond and his villain are of distinct opposites, but in this case they are in the same situation as they are both risking money, one is to save his own life, and Bond can't lose or he has helped fund terrorism. There are still the Bond beauties within the film played by Caterina Murino, as Bond's source of information, and Eva Green, a treasury official who holds the money for the poker game.
One of the best sequences is when Bond is sent to Madagascar where he is to spy on a terrorist, a well choreographed action sequence takes place when Bond is chasing after the agile terrorist ("Jump London's" Sebastien Foucan) giving great action and humour all at once. However the end scene in Venice with the collapsing building did drag out just a little bit too long, and even though it was an emotional scene it would have been conveyed better without all the diegetic noise. Ladies will be pleased when they get to see Daniel Craig rising from the sea in his swimming trunks, similar to Ursula Andress in Dr. No.
Even though there was a huge commotion about Daniel Craig being James Bond, he has performed brilliantly and has proved all those who were against him wrong. This is a brilliant film, a must see, and if you are one of those whose are sceptical about it? Watch the film before you make judgement on Daniel Craig.