Best Bond yet, by far

Rating: 10/10 (7 December 2006)

This is the right Bond at the right time. Daniel Craig has helped take the Bond franchise from the realm of quasi-comedy to the serious spy/action/thriller. And he has managed to do it with style, wit, and a confidence that seems real rather than manufactured.
He is also the first Bond who looks as if he could actually win in hand to hand combat. This helps the believability of the film tremendously. Could any of us imagine Roger Moore in the opening chase scene? I think not.
This Bond is also vulnerable, both physically and emotionally. Unlike in any other film, there are moments where you actually question what is going to happen. I've never seen or felt that in a Bond film before.
Despite the annoying (and blatantly obvious - does any one really believe Bond would drive a Ford?!?!) product placements, this seemed to me like the first movie that actually wanted to be a movie rather than just an excuse for Bond to say the same old lines and romance a beautiful woman out of her clothes.
It will be interesting to see where Mr. Craig and the franchise go from here.