You probably recall the fuss when it was announced that Daniel Craig would be the next Bond, with opinion veering towards the negative. Then when the above film proved so successful and Craig was signed for umpteen further outings, the casting decision seems to have been justified. I am not so sure. I acknowledge that Craig has proved his acting chops in various roles and he makes a fine action hero here; however I can not bring myself to embrace him as the definitive Bond. He just seems too much of a ruffian or thug to fit in with previous Bonds; granted that the character is at heart a cold and calculating customer, previous incarnations have overlaid this with a suave exterior.
My other problem with this movie is with its position within the series. While the moviegoer has accepted the changing lead, I don't think we were ever asked to believe that Bond had only just received his 007 status. It's been too long since I read the novel on which this is based to remember if it was the first in the series and if in fact Bond had only just become a licensed killer, but the film does not feel like any sort of prequel since the setting appears more or less contemporary. I think the viewer brings too much baggage to the table to accept a completely different lead personality.
That said, Craig's is certainly a very modern and brutal take on the role and forgoes the usual corny quips. However the one bit that did make me smile was when he is asked if he would like his martini shaken or stirred and he replies, "do I look as if I care" or words to that effect. Eva Green made an acceptable heroine and we were allowed to see Bond's inner softy in their relationship. Very 2006 I'm sure, but not the Bond we all know so well. Finally I thought that the villain as played by Mads Mikkelsen was one of the least memorable of the series, but perhaps this is all part of giving us a Bond for our times.
3 comments:
Best Bond film I have seen ... I did enjoy it and thought Daniel Craig was good
regards
Shaun
http://journals.aol.co.uk/shauntanner/Tenthirteengoesforth/
I thought this was the best Bond movie so far.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/acoward15/andy-the-bastard/
Less reliance on special effects and spectacular stunts apart from the collapsing
house in the finale made this an improvement over some recent films and Craig
is somewhat nearer the Connery Bond than any of the intervening actors have
been but judgment is reserved - a very weak villain compared with the past
greats such as Gert Frobe.
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