Nice Concept But Flawed Script

Rating: 9/10 (22 January 2019)

9 December 2006. While the edgy and serious performance by Daniel Craig offers a more stylistic touch to the Bond series, the script suffers from unbelievable blunders and less than satisfying encounters that James has with his opponents. From the very beginning the universal theme song is gone, replaced an unmemorable musical credit opening, without the exhilarating energetic packed opening. James finds himself too often the victim as his less than capable ability of losing his predators or hiding from them. His martial arts ability as a ruthless spy is less than brilliant considering this Bond's attempt at a more physical rather than high tech action thriller. This Bond is not a very personable character, not very engaging, and not a sympathetic individual - rather a more closed off, perhaps even selfish individual most people who rather avoid than succumb to. Overall, the change of tone is commendable, the attempt at more relational involvement, more human interaction and simpler, less than world-ending crusades is interesting, but not sufficient to overcome this movie's flaws. The ending without the usual, fantastic twist is the culminating let down of this newest version of James Bond. For martial arts and intelligent suspense, Matt Damon in the Bourne series is a clear winner. Even Jennifer Garner in Elektra or Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider have clearly spent more time and effort to present their physical abilities in a far more believable, superior way than Daniel Craig. Six out of Ten Stars.
Second review. This movie version upon a more relaxed viewing, allows for a more accommodating and appreciative experience as Daniel Craig's Bond version seemed much more acceptable this time and the personal need for the spectacular flash at the beginning and end have significantly lessened over time. Daniel Craig's initial outing as a 00 agent in reflection seems much more realistic now, human, and even his obnoxious personality seemed more complex and developed over the space and time of the movie. There were little technical irritants
(such as SPOILER ALERT) a crash bar door that doesn't open during the fight scene in a hotel stairway (so cliché)
and the early chase scene on foot seemed almost too manipulative and physical impossible.
I wasn't as caught up in the (BIG SPOILER ALERT) in Bond's girl's demise and found his attempting to perform CPR on her lame (her chest didn't rise) and Matt Damon's Bourne's loss of his girl was much more emotional haunting letting her go. Bond's loss was emotionally and morally much more convoluted and perhaps inconsistent.
Nevertheless, this Bond movie had a nice soundtrack the movie theme that apparently grows on one after listening to it enough. The physical fights that Daniel Craig performs now appear much more real and gritty and gripping. Bond's intellectual play with Vesper was truly delightful now and the equality, and twists now appear to offer Bond a much more credible feel. Eight out of Ten Stars.
(Third Review, 11/12/12). It's never happened before and may not again, but the more I watch this movie, the better it gets. My distaste on prior viewings may have more to do with what happens tragically towards the end of the movie than anything else and also why I've avoided repeated viewings of it. But pushing passed the distraught emotions, this Bond movie ranks as among, if not the best of the Bond movies for its extended glimpses into the persona and humanity of Craig's Bond version and the fine balance between action and substantive drama with a strong thread of gripping, increasing suspense throughout. Nine out of Ten Stars.