He's BACK

Rating: 10/10 (27 October 2012)

After the disappointment and bafflement that was The Quantum of Solace, and the almost Chick Flick that was Casino Royale I was ready to write Daniel Craig off as another George Lazenby. BUT.....what a difference, thank god for talented directors and writers who actually have a clue what Bond is all about. Connery, Moore....move over the new boy has come of age the name is Craig, Daniel Craig. This bond is back to the formula we all loved before Dalton and Brosnan, ridiculous chase scenes, pithy one liners and above all putting the Great BACK into Great Britain. Gone is the 'Ra Ra America' back is 'Rule Britannia', MI6's oh so helpful colleagues across the pond who of late seem to have saved James's bacon more than once do not even merit more than one line. Q branch makes a welcome return with Q's relationship with Bond back to the normal sparing matches of double entente although sadly no submarine cars or exploding pens. The Bond Girls really don't feature much, so in that respect this isn't the Bond of old (no Mr Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang)
But most of all the story line is simply stunning, we have glimpses of all aspects of Bond, the inner turmoil, his past, his future, what drives him. The story line also appears to be a subtle 2 fingers to the British government, defence cuts, civilian oversight of something civilians can never understand and the treatment of service personnel. I think it only fair to mention the much beloved DB5 makes a return worthy of Bond, I actually heard intakes of breath and cheering when she finally appears on our screen (and no it wasn't just the blokes). There are welcome moments of light relief through what is a very gritty and brilliantly suspense filled film, Bond's 'present' from Q and from Mr Silver both generated a laugh or two. The final sequences are beautifully poignant and play to the strengths of the surrounding scenery with amazing ability, plus an entrance any man of a certain age will love.
A fantastic film for Bond lovers and everyone else, be prepared for the ride of your life, discover Bond like never before, take a tissue (and not just to wipe the saliva from your mouth after the cars, girls, guns, chases, fights, helicopters, explosions. Or the tears of laughter from your eyes from the British wit, the one liners, and the down right insanity.), enjoy the best Bond film in 50 years.