Bond, James Bond

Gina and I went to see the new Bond flick, Skyfall, the third movie starring Daniel Craig as Agent 007.  I must say, I was thoroughly entertained.  I knew before Casino Royale that Craig was going to be a good pick because I really liked him in Layer Cake (2004).  I never thought I'd say this, but Craig equals Sean Connery.  Every Bond actor that's come along has had to compete in my mind as with Connery.  Craig and Connery portray two different Bonds.  They are both equally good.  Connery, after seeing Daniel Craig would play Bond in Royale said, "Fantastic...marvelous in the part...he really get's the danger element to the Bond character".  Craig went into not trying to imitate any other Bond actor.  His favorite Bond was Sean Connery, his favorite Bond movie was From Russia With Love.

Seeing Daniel Craig in Bonds shoes make me think what it would've been like to have had Steve McQueen play the roll.  He's as cool as McQueen ever was, and favors him a little.  Craig isn't the tall dark and handsome pretty boy like most of the other men who portrayed James Bond.  He is a brawny looking fellow like Connery, and you get the feeling he could beat the crap out of every James Bond that ever was.  He takes care of business and doesn't play the suave and debonair agent.  This Bond is tough as nails and can be as cold blooded of a killer when it comes down to it.   I can't help but think that Ian Fleming would've liked Craig's portrayal.

This is a story that Fleming did not write, but every bit as good.  I enjoyed Skyfall probably just as much as I did the early Sean Connery Bond films (Dr. No, From Russia With Love, and Goldfinger).  Skyfall starts the movie with an injured 007.  Bond isn't at his peak performance, but he's got to jump into the fray nevertheless.  His abilities are limited from the start.  I like it that this movie isn't filled with a bunch of hi-tech gadgets.   This is Daniel Craig's best Bond movie yet, and vies for the top title of the best Bond movie ever.  If not first - at least second...or third.  It's up there nevertheless.  You be the judge.