Boy was I wrong!

Rating: 10/10 (25 April 2007)

Around the time when there was talk about canning Pierce Brosnan, I did something a bit uncharacteristic: I wrote to MGM, stating that Brosnan was the best Bond in years and it was a mistake to let him go after only 4 films.
To see Brosnan play Bond for the first time after having seen him play the role 4 times previously would have required a great suspension of disbelief. He would have looked older, but that usually doesn't stop today's filmmakers (i.e. the upcoming Indiana Jones film). On the other hand, although Brosnan was a good Bond, his films overall were a little over the top. Frankly, of his 4 films, I think I actually sat through 2 of them. I thought "Goldeneye" was terribly overrated. The usual sex jokes were tiresome. Speaking of tiresome, I just couldn't see Halle Berry as a superspy in "Die Another Day." Granted she is nice to look at, but a spy---uhhh no. And the gadgets were getting unrealistic---I mean, an invisible car?! Also the product placements were getting ridiculous---James Bond driving a BMW?? I'm not even a Brit and I was insulted. Bond belongs in an Aston Martin, period.
This film was a very pleasant surprise. It returned to the basics. I was initially and prematurely disappointed after not seeing the "gun barrel sequence" immediately, but was ecstatic after it was slipped in at the end of the opening scene.
Craig was impressive in all respects--his physicality, acting, and stunts. I remember reading during the filming that he broke a rib--it's no wonder why! There was incredible action throughout; the opening chase scene was brilliant.
The Bond girls were all hot!--especially LeChiffre's gal. The opening song was good and the meaning of the title was suddenly apparent after the final scene. Also, I can never tire of hearing Monty Norman's "James Bond Theme". It should be played in every JB film unadulterated---that is, not trying to make it more hip-hop etc. It's awesome as it is after all these years.
I have been a huge Bond fan for years and am looking forward to the next flick with Daniel Craig. This is the best Bond film/Bond song since "The Spy Who Loved Me" in my opinion.
BTW, for those of you who didn't notice, Craig played the evil priest dispatched to kill Elizabeth (Cate Blanchette) in the outstanding film of the same name.