A real surprise

Rating: 10/10 (23 December 2006)

I have to recognize that I have been a bond maniac for years, and I wasn't expecting much from this movie. At first, I thought that the James bond series was dead, but after watching "Casino Royale", my passion and for the character has returned to the point it was when I watched Sean Connery's movies in the TV.
At the beginning, I thought Daniel Craig was not a good choice. I liked the performances done by Pierce Brosnan, but I have to admit that the material he had to handle with was between bad and mediocre, except, maybe, Goldeneye (I have always considered this movie as a parody, being so exaggerated and comical). It was not Bronsan fault that the latests movies of the series ("The world is not enough" and "Die another day") were not a box success as expected, but the script itself.
When I read about "Casino Royale", and the intention of the producers to look for a new Bond, I, automatically, thought of Lazenby (maybe he starred the best Bond movie, but he does not have enough charisma to provide to the character). After, when Craig was selected, my fears were confirmed. A semi-unknown actor, that I have only seen before in Steven Spielberg's "Munich", where his performance was acceptable, but not something to notice.
Months after, I started to read that everyone was astounded with Craig's performance, and I though it was a movement of Sony to reclaim attention on the film. However, I decided to go to the cinema and judge by myself, and the result is that the movie is far away my expectations. It is the best Bond movie in years (best than all Brosnan's, Dalton's and Moore's). Craig is a strange mixture between charisma and brutality, and his performance is absolutely superb. The movie is intelligent and lovely. The characters are really nice, and even David Arnold (a composer I don't like) made a good soundtrack.
Definitely, Craig deserves fame and to continue with the character, in my opinion. I think that we haven't seen the best of Craig as James Bond, bu this is also depending on the script of the next movie.
Mr. Craig, you have my deepest gratitude for making me believe that an excellent James Bond will return.