Hmmmmmmm...OK then....

Rating: 4/10 (2 December 2006)

OK. I went to see this movie after some serious consideration. I had seen Daniel Craig ina few other films (Layer Cake, Munich) and disliked him immensely in both. Despite being a die hard Bond fan I was seriously considering not watching this one because of the choice of Bond.
Was I glad I went? Yes...despite Craigs performance the film was immensely enjoyable. It was the strongest Bond film, and one of my major criticisms was why in the hell wasn't Pierce given any material like this? IMOm Pierce was a much stronger actor and better bond and I couldn't help but think of him in this film, instead of the cheesy popcorn Bonds he was stuck with after Goldeneye
Anyway, some time into the movie I suddenly realised that I believed that Craig was Bond, I was comparing him less and less to Pierce and was seeing him without judging him.
However, IMO there were a few major downsides to this movie.
1/ The first villain we see Bond really chase (The one he goes into the embassy for) it is never explained why they guy could jump 20 foot in the air etc...during the whole chase sequence with te black guy and Bond I felt like I was stuck in the Tigger movie. I know Bond films are meant to contain amazing stunts, and spectacular unbelievable chase sequences but this one just had me laughing in my seat.
2/ This is personal judgement, but I find DC unattractive...and Bond has always been a good looking guy. Its a big part of the film because when the film falls flat, which it does at some point in every Bond film (and I am a massive fan, I have the DVD boxset so please don't accuse me of being unloyal) and it does on occasion fall flat, DC does not have the classic Bond wit, the looks or even any personality to pull the film back. I understand them cutting back on the wit a little, to try and give the film darker edge like the novels, but there were times this film needed it, and DC had as much personality as a wet rag
3/ Judi Dench is my favourite "M" of all time, but she shouldn't have been in this movie. The point in Casino Royale was to start from the beginning...how can they start at the beginning with as Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky says in Goldeneye "I hear the new M is a lady?" Again, I understand that they would have wanted to keep her as familiar face to help people get used to the idea of a new Bond, but I think that they should have got a man to play "M" again like the early films, who? I have no idea...and I hate to nitpick, but as soon as M appeared the first thing I thought was that quote from Valentin
However, there are some massive upsides to this film. Apart from the first fight (the embassy scene) and the last fight (In the house in Venice) the fight scenes are much more realistic, and gritty than in previous Bond films. Q says in TWINE "I always tried to teach you two things. First, never let them see you bleed..." Q isn't in this movie but Bond does more than his fair share of bleeding which makes the film much more realistic.
Will I watch it again...certainly Am I convinced of DC as Bond...Im getting there Am I looking forward to the next one? Hell Yeah!
6.5/10