Bond uses a cell phone just like yours instead of lighting cigarettes with Q's mini-flamethrower

Rating: 8/10 (8 July 2007)

Among the best Bonds, thanks to Martin Campbell's expert direction and Daniel Craig effortlessly fitting in the wardrobe of his predecessors.
Besides the good balance between realism and acrobatic action, this Bond succeeds in avoiding a frequent mistake of the previous ones: the excess of gadgetry, now wisely turned into abundance of multimedia technology that we are all familiar with (well, the embellishments in the geographic search were very cool but perhaps a little too much).
Less gadgetry means less Q or R (none is seen in this film) and, thankfully enough, more M played by that wonderful and distinguished actress, Judi Dench, whose presence alone puts any film in the top class.
Good chemistry (more believable than usual) between Craig and extremely beautiful Eva Green, who delivers a multi-layered performance much above the usual needs of Bond films but very welcome in this one.
Plus an excellent villain and spectacular highlights that don't diminish the rest of the film: in fact, there is a good amount of intrigue that does not need to be fueled by gunshots but is sustained by sheer interest and anticipation, as in the best suspense films.
8 out of 10 for the film, 10 out of 10 for the cast (and please, bring back the villains that survived: Mathis, Mr. White...) I had never been so satisfied to read in the end credits that "James Bond will return".