Ff you have not managed to see Casino Royale yet then drop everything and go to your nearest cinema, grab some popcorn and a large Pepsi (it's a long film!) and settle down for what is perhaps the best James Bond Film since the halcyon days of Sean Connery!

James Bond is one of cinemas most durable and long lasting film franchises and in itself is a great example of economic, political and social commentary as the plot lines of each film reflect the current world situation. The many changes in the actors playing James Bond has not been detrimental in fact I think it has benefited the films and contributed to their longevity.

Now I have to confess I am not a James Bond fan, and i can't quite understand the passion these films seem to inspire in the average male, but when it came to a choice of a rare Saturday night in with hubby snoring on the sofa or a trip to the cinema I obviously opted for the latter. I went expecting to hate it (and while we are on the subject 8.00 for a cinema ticket and the most uncomfortable seats ever, although the size of my bum may go some way to explaining my discomfort!) and came out wanting to see it again and again and again!

Now apart from the obvious fact that Daniel Craig is gorgeous, particularly when not wearing many clothes (awesome 6 pack!), he is also a great actor (first came to my attention when he was in Our Friends in the North some years ago) and he brought out the quirkier and somehow darker elements of the James Bond persona (he was far too squeaky clean for my liking when played by Roger Moore) which for me made him a more realistic character. I loved the lack of dialog, the 'less is more' approach certainly worked and added to the character development, the story is good (although I did think the film had ended three times before it actually had!) and there was not a huge reliance on the use of unrealistic gadgets! And of course now we have brainy Bond girls (and fewer bikinis!) so that none of those feisty feminists can complain, although I am sure that the more red blooded males would have something to say about that. Go and see it and please agree or disagree but please tell me what you think!

Learn more about this author, Noleen Wyatt-Jones.
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