James Bond is no Shawshank Redemption....

Rating: 10/10 (31 March 2013)

I've heard lots of negative comments coming from this film. Someone said that they weren't going to watch this film because he heard that the film had, "too many plot holes and was overall tried to be arty." I'm having none of that and I forced him to watch it and the guy enjoyed it immensely. Just like I guessed. The truth is, the film is terrific, it is powerful as a stand alone film with the much needed elements which make a Bond film so enjoyable in the first place. You really feel like the Bond team have put everything they've got into making a film for the 50 Year anniversary of the Bond film franchise. It really pays off and during the ending credits my mouth was wide open. Daniel Craig gives another show-stealing performance, his dark and moody looks mixed in with his funny one-liners will remind you of Sean Connery. M as Judi Dench gives her best performance of M out of the seven films she's been in as playing Bond's boss. I would also go as far as saying that it was one of her best performances full stop. Raoul Silva played by Jarvier Bardem might give you flashbacks of the Joker, but he brings his own twist to the character and he would of stolen the movie if the other characters weren't perfect. Bill Tanner gets a decent amount of screen time and you get to understand his character in this movie. To tell the truth, there's more characterization and emotions shown in this movie then in all of Roger Moore's 7 Bond films. It works, really well and that's all that is important. People have heard about this and are expecting Shawshank's level of themes and ideas. But, no, the film has a slight melancholy theme and the film approaches the idea about sometimes old is better then new but this just improves the storyline. If you haven't seen it, get it out now! It has enough in the film for Die hard Bond fans (like me) to get excited about little scenes and references as well as pleasing action movie fans. The action is really good and clear. No shaky-camera Bourne stuff in the film. The score, by Thomas Newman done the job well and reminds me a little of the great John Barry and the Adele song is sure to be another Bond song great up there with Goldfinger by Shirley Bassey and For Your Eyes Only by Sheena Easton. Best Bond film ever? Quite possibly on many people's lists.