Overrated to the Max

Rating: 5/10 (17 January 2016)

This film was a response to many people feeling that "Die Another Day" is too over-the-top and too ridiculous, even for Bond. They intended to bring the series back to its roots. People loved this movie, but I really don't see why. As a huge James Bond fan, this film is pretty much free of what makes the Bond series fun.
The new Bond is Daniel Craig. He would get better later in his tenure as Bond, but here he isn't very appealing. He is more like Jason Bourne than Bond, and he comes off as too much of a thug.
The film itself is incredibly boring. 3/4 of the movie is nothing but poker playing. Mads Mikkelsen as LeChiffre is a pretty dull villain, and there are some parts of the movie that are just way too violent.
No Q, no Moneypenny, no humor, no gadgets, and most of all, no fun. I don't care if this was closer to Fleming's Bond, this was just not enjoyable at all.
The film does have some saving graces. For one, Eva Green as Vesper Lynd is a strong contender for best Bond girl ever. She's utterly beautiful and has an engaging personality. This is the first time since "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" that Bond was truly in love.
The action in the last act of the film is thrilling, and "You Know My Name" by Chris Cornell is a personal favorite of mine. Judi Dench was her usual great self as M.
These saving graces make this a mediocre film instead of a terrible one.
RATING: C