The new James Bond has arrived and it's a good one. Not excellent, not very good, but nothing less than "good". After the minor GOLDENEYE and the even weaker THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, this one has got the thrills to keep you tightly on the edge of your seat, the women (Berry and Pike), and lots of fun and chuckles (nearly every line in the film must be containing a sexual reference). The best thing I can say about this James Bond, is that it catches up with recent action movies. TWINE failed to do that and made the series look rusty, yes, even 'old'. But this one is tough (kinda reminded me of the last good James Bond, LICENCE TO KILL), funny (Moneypenny's big scene is a riot)and makes the world's top spy look good again...finally.
I have to admit that the film can't quite sustain its terrific start til the very end, and the film goes more over-the-top with each step it takes (but hey, it's a 007 flick!), but it's got stunts and fight scenes coming at ya in lightning pace, and some nice surprises too along the way. Notice the opening credits. Notice the fear in James Bond's eyes at the start (a first for the series!). Notice the spectacular gadgets. Goodie goodie, this must be the best James Bond can ever get. Because, let's face it, when we go see a James Bond film, we're not looking for the best film of all times, we're looking for a good time. And that, ladies and gentlemen, D.A.D. offers...abundantly. 8/10
P.S.: Madonna has a cameo and the following fencing scenes (Madonna not included however) may be the best of the movie. P.S.2: Lee Tamahori directs this flick. He made a quite impressive film back in New-Zealand (ONCE WERE WARRIORS), but has gotten more and more into the action genre ever since his arrival in Hollywood. THE EDGE was passable, ALONG CAME A SPIDER was pretty bad, but I noticed that, though he's doing a decent job here (the frequently used slow-motion and cuts are however a bit jarring), the special effects are not always convincing (the ice water scene with the parachute). This was the case for the opening scenes of "SPIDER" too. Can't this guy get the best f/x people in Hollywood? Or does he always use the same folks?
I have to admit that the film can't quite sustain its terrific start til the very end, and the film goes more over-the-top with each step it takes (but hey, it's a 007 flick!), but it's got stunts and fight scenes coming at ya in lightning pace, and some nice surprises too along the way. Notice the opening credits. Notice the fear in James Bond's eyes at the start (a first for the series!). Notice the spectacular gadgets. Goodie goodie, this must be the best James Bond can ever get. Because, let's face it, when we go see a James Bond film, we're not looking for the best film of all times, we're looking for a good time. And that, ladies and gentlemen, D.A.D. offers...abundantly. 8/10
P.S.: Madonna has a cameo and the following fencing scenes (Madonna not included however) may be the best of the movie. P.S.2: Lee Tamahori directs this flick. He made a quite impressive film back in New-Zealand (ONCE WERE WARRIORS), but has gotten more and more into the action genre ever since his arrival in Hollywood. THE EDGE was passable, ALONG CAME A SPIDER was pretty bad, but I noticed that, though he's doing a decent job here (the frequently used slow-motion and cuts are however a bit jarring), the special effects are not always convincing (the ice water scene with the parachute). This was the case for the opening scenes of "SPIDER" too. Can't this guy get the best f/x people in Hollywood? Or does he always use the same folks?