Vodka Martina - I don't give a dam

Rating: 8/10 (16 November 2006)

Well guys after following bond all of my 23 years I thought I would give you my experienced view on the film.
1. Daniel Craig as a Bond is superb the word that comes to mind is quite simply Different ! He has the anger and mean element. One criticism is perhaps something different could be done with his hair.
2. The narrative, well as a bond fan I can see where the director and producers have tried to take this film. It brings back memories of OHMSS and FRWL, Venice and falling in love. Also Dr No and thunder ball in Nassau. But in the middle of the film when bond is rescued from torture the film seems lost. I had a feeling of is that it.
3. "The action" I know there has been a real effort to take bond away from the set piece gadget action sequences but why ? Is it really needed ? I feel if the next bond film contains the same hard edged action sequences then audience will sooner get tiered of this than the previous tried and tested methods.
4. "Bad Guys" This really is the weak point to the film I know the world has changed and terrorism is the No1 risk factor and terrorists are not usually the gold-fingers or Stromberg's of this world. But the lack of the main set piece battle. Plus low threat to the world doesn't seem substantial enough. The guy bond kills at the end loses his gravitas and I was felt with a real feeling of unfinished business at the end. A bad guy that last through a good number of films like blofelt is sadly missing.
"the girls" - Although a natural beauty I wouldn't see vesper as the most beautiful bond girl. If anything Le chief's lady seemed like she would have more to give in the bedroom department.
Solve this quite simply buy dumping per vis and wade. If the producers wanted to have a new direction a new set of writers would have been an excellent way of doing this.
All in all I feel the next film for Craig will be the real test of his metal. But in comparison with other first bond films for actors - Dr No, On her Majesty's secret service, live and let die, the living daylights and golden eye. I would place casino Royal third place behind Goldeneye and OHMSS.
All in all well done team but especially Daniel Craig ! One factor to think about if you are about to watch Casino Royal is it reminded me of Licence to kill quite a lot I hope this isn't reflected in the box office figure as we need Bond to continue and I am sure James bond will return.