Craig may be the "new guy," but 007 is just as great as he has ever been

Rating: 9/10 (26 November 2006)

As a long time Bond fan, I was of course a little skeptical of this new guy who was going to play our beloved 007. As I saw the posters, I could tell that Daniel Craig at least had the look about him. But within a few minutes into the movie I could tell that Craig had the character down perfectly. I was on the edge of my seat for much of the movie from both excitement and anticipation of what was going to happen next. I honestly can't remember getting that worked up about a movie and the character's well being in years. I can't say whether it is the best Bond film yet, but it is at least at the top of the list. Unlike many of the older films it seems to follow the story more closely, with less focus on flashy gizmos or things blowing up. But don't worry, it's not lacking in technology or explosions, either. It also has much less of a focus on the nearly nude Bond girls. This may be a disappointment for some, but it is nice to be able to enjoy a Bond film without wondering how he costume designers managed to defy the laws of physics for some of the Bond girl outfits. In toning down the male fantasy aspect of the film, I feel they have made it available to a broader audience.
One of the best things about this film was Daniel Craig's portrayal of Bond himself. Being blonde is absolutely not an issue, and what with the actor playing Bond changing so many times, it seems silly that hair color might change the image of the character. Craig brings a much more human element to James Bond. He is not perfect, in fact he falters quite a bit at the start, which makes the character far more interesting that the past portrayals of the flawless agent. Craig creates a Bond that is able to make mistakes, is able to be hurt, and yet he is just as witty, as suave and as cool as James Bond has ever been.