Bond, James Bond

Last night, I went to the cinema (or as I like to call it, the movie theater) to see the new Bond movie. I am what you might call a "Bond Fan," if that is what you call people who have spent a solid month watching each of the Bond films in order, and can wax poetic on the pros and cons of each Bond Girl (Dr. Christmas Jones? You must be joking...). In my nearly professional opinion, there will never be a Bond that surpasses Sean Connery's portrayal of the man, but I find it hard to have a solid opinion of Daniel Craig. He is a departure from the tall, dark, and handsome actors who have recently been Bond, and thank Fleming, is not 1/145784379 as campy as Roger Moore. Still, I can't decide whether I like him or not.

I certainly like the movies, and this one was better than Casino Royale. Still, it seems like the producers are trying to make Bond in Jason Bourne, which is somewhat too bad. I like the Bourne films, and I can't say that the gadgets have always been the best of Bond (that invisible car was laughable, at best). But Bond without Q? And while we're at it, where is Moneypenny?! In this age of technology, of iPhones and Segways and robotic limbs, I'm sure some movie mind could come up with something suitable. Hey, a return of Oddjob's deadly bowler hat wouldn't be amiss...

Both of the Bond girls in this film failed to impress, as well. Both were pretty, and I particularly liked Fields and her Goldfinger-esque demise, but there was no sizzle, and no hint of Bond's famous libido. Craig's Bond is far too serious. I liked Vesper Lynd a lot, but she was not THAT great... I am hoping that once his revenge is complete, Bond will remeber the finer things in life. (ONE martini in Quantum of Solace?! And not even a shaken one, at that.)

For all that criticism, however, I really enjoyed watching the film, so I can't speak too harshly of it. After leaving the cinema, I did my best not to beat up any badguys, and got into my Cleopatra costume for the Halloween celebrations.