A great stand alone adventure after the disappointing continuation of Quantum of Solace. A series high for over the top, charismatic villains, the cinematography is beautiful, the reinterpretation of Q and Moneypenny is very welcome, the action scenes are a true spectacle and you can forgive some plot contrivances because it is thoroughly entertaining throughout. This film is also a true testament to Dame Judi Dench.
Personally my favourite of the entire series, bringing Bond back to his routes, ditching the over the top gadgetry. Emotional exciting storytelling, Le Chiffre a fantastic villain, the gambling scenes are truly suspenseful, the action realistic and perilous. Eva Green is easily up there with Diana Rigg, tied for the most three dimensional Bond girl whose character you grow to care for.
Dalton's best, much of the campiness hangover from the Moore era and The Living Daylights is gone and this is the first time we see Bond really go rogue on a personal assignment. The violence can be a little over the top but it does up the stakes and Sanchez is a very formidable villain. The grittiness is definitely welcome and a great early view of what Craig's tenure would bring. Q is fantastic in this and probably the best use of his character under Desmond Llewelyn.
Easily the best of the Moore era, he is at his charismatic best here. Iconic henchman in Jaws, more Ken Adam top tier set design, the best of the grandiose Lewis Gilbert army vs army showdowns. A welcome shake up in the score after the two less than stellar previous entries by John Barry. The introduction of a true adversary in the Bond girl department, the Lotus is amazing.
Another borderline perfect Bond film, a great reinterpretation of Blofeld, the pinnacle of all Bond girls with the class of Diana Rigg, grand spectacle in the final acts and the first of the series to really hit an emotional high. The chemistry with Moneypenny is back to the heights of the early Connery days, another iconic Aston Martin. It's just a shame Lazenby didn't stay on for a true continuation in Diamonds are Forever.
