Better than Goldfinger ?

Rating: 10/10 (17 November 2006)

I didn't think it possible that I would ever see a Bond movie that even came close to "Goldfinger". But here is one that just shades it. Fantastic. I left the foyer after the movie with a broad smile of movie satisfaction plastered across my face. I loved it. I went back to see it again the following day and it had the same effect. I loved it again. Perfectly paced and stylish. Lighting and cinematography evoking that sense of 1960's Connery suave that seemed absent from most previous incarnations. Bond had arrived in the 21st century. How refreshing that the usual jaded standards were abandoned. Q's of late somewhat laboured appearances, Moneypenny and the one dimensional Bond girls made way for an engaging and exciting plot. Special effects were spectacular, yet understated. The acting was fantastic, there was a real sense of character development. It was as though the actors really didn't know what was coming next or how they were going to change. And hooray for the best Bond villain since Gert Frobe. Well done cast and crew. And thank you for tweaking the formula and making what is in my opinion, the perfect Bond, "Casino Royale".
Enjoy
Alan.