The New Bond Arrives in Style

I'm not a Bond nut. Part of what turns me off is the constant PR machine run by the Broccoli clan who own the franchise. The gossip from the set, the fake and endlessly press-released "drama" of who will be the next Bond. The faux-controversy over whether Bond can be blond. And usually at the end of publicity process, you get a bloated, incomprehensible, goofy action flick (with unbearably obvious product placement) that is put to shame by the latest mindless fluff from Jerry Bruckheimer.

So what happened? How is it possible that the Broccolis concocted a team that delivers Casino Royale: a well-acted, good-looking action flick? With some witty dialogue! With stunts that look like real people do scary things instead of obviously fake ice palaces? It's a total re-thinking of what Bond should be.

Daniel Craig gets a lot of credit. While Pierce Brosnan can act, his Bond was all smirk. Plus, he didn't seem like a guy who would sneak up on you with a knife and stick it into your gut; Craig does. I wouldn't trust him near me with a blade. He gives Bond a humorless, cold streak that still engages an audience. While the post-Sean Bonds tried to deliver quips (and failed) with the flip sarcasm that Connery gave the character, Craig doesn't quip. There are lines that could have been delivered with that attitude (when asked if wants his martini shaken or stirred he responds, "Do I look like I give a damn?"), Craig doesn't aim for a cheap giggle (or more likely groan) from the audience. Plus, he also doesn't have that contempt for the world that Connery emitted.

The movie's got plot-stopping product placement including for the weirdly popular and gruesome Bodyworlds and, strangely, Richard Branson. Plus, it is a little more intensely violent that the past few Bonds and includes a torture scene that could work in a Chan-wook Park revenge fantasia. It seemed a little out of place in the Bond-world.

That all said, the movie lives up to its new leading man. There's an international financier who needs to - oh never mind, there's a plot that involves bad guys and James must track them down. What really matters is that the action sequences, while mainly superfluous to the plot, can get your heart going. The first loooooong chase incorporates the silly sport of parkour to great effect. The final showdown filmed on a movie set somewhere, doesn't look too much like it's filmed in a movie set somewhere. And when people die in the film, it's brutal and hand-to-hand. James gets blood on his tux.

So I play into the hands of the wretched Broccoli clan by asking, "Is Craig the best Bond ever?"

I have to say, yes.

Stephanie, this was a good film. Euan called it, this is a Bond for the 21st century. It is funny, even tho this film is more brutal than previous Bond films it doesn't seem to take that violence easily - maybe it has to do with not leaving a body behind with a quick quip.

Craig is one to watch. God I hope the Broccoli clan doesn't mess with the next one.

This is the best Bond movie and the best Bond yet. I have seen all previous incarnations of movie and Bond alike and I must say...

WOW...

This plays perfectly into the young brash Bond with his brand new 007 badge. MUCH more believable than Pierce Brosnan...Just enough polish and charm to woo and more than enough physical prowess to kick some villan booty.

I especially enjoyed the lack of the "groan" factor. Like the scene in one of Brosnan’s Bonds where he uses a viola case to ski down a huge hill while dodging bullets...or that really, really, really bad line.. "Christmas comes twice a year..." GOD he better have been paid ALOT of money to say that line...i almost puked...

I will definitely go see this movie again…I haven’t been to see the same movie in the theater more than once since Lord of the Rings.

Dan

My Bond education is surprisingly sparse. I've never see a Bond movie in the theater--until I went to go see Casino Royale.

So, I did like it, a lot, even if I am not qualified on whether or not its the "Best Bond ever".

I do want to see future Craig installments as Bond--in the theater, not just as rentals.

Does anyone else think that the new Bond looks as though he was modeled on the image of Vladimer Putin? Scarey!

Thanks for the heads up on the Bodyworlds product placement. My family was hoping to catch the new Bond before it leaves Twin City theaters, but will let it go now.