179 replies to this topic

[Doctor No]

I voted "Approve". It's too early after one film to say he is the best Bond ever. But if he can keep up the good work we may have a contender.

[Cody]

Unlike ANY of the other Bonds, this guy is a work in progress. To rate him with the others, he'll have to get there first.

Fair point, yet...I still find Craig's not-quite-yet-Bond ironically more like Bond than the supposedly already-there Bonds of most of the movies.

I agree that Craig's Bond is already near-perfect as is. And by the end of CR he's already got all the trappings of cinematic Bond - tailored suits, martini, Aston, way of introducing himself, theme... He is suave and sophisticated. His character interaction is perfect. If he hasn't already, he just needs to learn to stay calm, don't get over-confident and don't snap and kill/attempt to kill at the wrong moment. Other than that, I personally don't see where else he needs to progress to.

Edited by Cody, 08 December 2006 - 06:06 PM.

[lafemmefantome]

How do you feel about Daniel Craig now that you've seen Casino Royale?

For me, I would say he's the best ever but I can also understand people having an "approve" and let's see where things go approach. His performance has made me curious that yes...I now have a fairly extensive DVD collection of his previous works and the more I see of him in his previous works coupled with his current performance in CR, well what more can I say?

Bring it on Daniel! More films please???

lafemmefantome

[Publius]

So, I’m curious to know… if Craig’s Bond does evolve into something closer to one of those other ‘already-there’ Bonds, will that be a disappointment for you?

No, you misunderstand me. I'm saying that even when he's at his most rough-around-the-edges, Craig is still closer to what I think the polished Bond should be than some past actors have often given us, even though they were actually trying to be such a Bond anyway. It's the balance between the side of him that belongs in a suit and the side that doesn't that Craig has already nailed, and that I think has often alluded past Bonds.

And as Cody said, Craig becomes or at least gets very close to the polished Bond by the end of CR, and guess what? that's my favorite moment of his in the movie. I doubt we'll see a dramatic change from that, especially given that I don't think the change Bond experienced here was all that dramatic either, despite it being the most severe he will have ever endured. I wasn't kidding when I said Craig has nowhere to go but up.

As far as our little Connery debate... if you cannot see that Connery is clearly superior in the wit and magnestism departments, I'm afraid you are beyond help and God bless you.

Honestly, I feel the same way about you. But seriously, Connery is still very close (hey, I even said as much), but viewing upon viewing of CR only confirms my initial reaction that Craig is a surprisingly funny guy, with a natural handle on sarcasm and subtle humor. While Connery shared much of that, it often felt too fake and scripted, whereas Craig sells it on a believable, humanistic level.

As for magnetism, I'm a straight male, so I'm assessing it as a matter of charm and likeability. He's fantastic at getting you on his side, even as he does some horrific (albeit mostly justifiable) things. Somebody you want to be around, and heck, for many guys, even be. And once again, the difference from Connery is that this time the character is a plausible superhero.

[moorebond82]

Now that i've seen the film,my opinion has gone up.

Edited by moorebond82, 09 December 2006 - 05:05 AM.

[Double-Oh Agent]

I approved of Craig's casting at the time, and now, after seeing Casino Royale, I highly approve of Craig as James Bond.

[CJB]

Definitely one of the top 2 Bonds. If you judge each single performance by an actor playing Bond, Daniel Craig in Casino Royale wins hands down for me. One of the only performances where the viewer empathises with Bond and feels his emotions, rather than staring at a 2-dimensional character for two hours.

[Double-0-Seven]

I know it's probably too early to tell if he's the best Bond ever, but that's what I voted for because he's my new favorite.

[Agent 0015]

He is not the best, but I totally approve.

[Loomis]

Craig is probably the best Bond ever. His only serious rival is Connery.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

[quote name='Judo chop' post='665304' date='8 December 2006 - 09:54']if Craig

[PBrosnan]

Daniel does a great job as Bond, but I think he is tied with Pierce.

[RazorBlade]

I like DC the best of all the bond actors. That is saying something as all the Bond actors are A+ list. On another thread someone said that there are no bad bond films, just that some are a little better than others. I think that way about DC. Just a little better.

I admit that most of my approval of DC comes from the fact that CR is the bond film I've been waiting for for years. Finally EON got it right.

[SilencedPPK]

I admit that most of my approval of DC comes from the fact that CR is the bond film I've been waiting for for years. Finally EON got it right.

I think saying "finally" is an overstatement. EON was always right with making Bond. but it's just the formula that they make for each film. This one tastes brilliant. A way a Bond film used to be, back with DN, FRWL, OHMSS. To tell you the truth, this is my favorite Bond movie, And Craig has been able to make something amazing. He's my favorite Bond actor right now.

[Bon-san]

"Best Bond Ever!" is a bit sensational considering the movie is less than a month old.

Agreed. I voted 'approve'. Ask me again in ten years, when I have some proper perspective!

[Loomis]

Ah, life's too short for "proper perspective".

Four words: Bafta Best Actor nomination. Cased closed. He's the best Bond ever. Sean who?

[bond_girl_double07]

I just have a soft spot for Connery (always have, always will)..

Best actor that the producers could have picked for the part right now? Absolutely!

[Moore Not Less]

Daniel Craig certainly exceeded my expectations, he definitely gets my approval. Before Casino Royale I saw him more as a Bond villain (in the mould of Red Grant) than Bond himself.

I will not be ranking Craig alongside the other actors, at least until Bond 22. He was not portraying the fully refined experienced agent of his predecesssors, he was portraying a rookie "rough round the edges" Bond.

[SilencedPPK]

I must admit that when he was announced to be James Bond, I was skeptical, and I thought that this would be the last James Bond movie because of the choice of actor. I swallowed my words however, after reading and watching some interviews with Daniel about the role and how he perceived it. I think that nobody could have done it better than Daniel. He was excellent. I voted for the Best Bond ever because i think that he is. In my mind he has exceeded my expectations, and it is one of the best films that I have seen this year and in my life. Well done!

[DaveBond21]

I voted "Approve".


I can't tell if he is the best Bond ever yet. I still think Connery just pips it ahead of the rest, but you never know...

[witgob]

Best. Bond. Ever. No question.

I re-watched 'Dr No' last night, and whilst still enjoying it for what it was, it's really hard to go back. Sean Connery was the Bond for that time. I've come too far as a viewer, and a woman, to enjoy his portrayal as much as I used to, and I'll always prefer a character that better fits in with my current beliefs and views, although I don't seem to have a problem with some of the not so savoury aspects of being a 'spy'. I'd prefer to see someone use the final solution, truly as a last resort, but in this context, I can accept that Bond believes in what he is doing.
I am a big Sci-Fi / Fantasy fan, so have always enjoyed a movie that takes me somewhere I'm never likely to go (or that doesn't actually exist), but I also much prefer character development, as opposed to some two dimensional, cardboard cutout. Strong, sensitive, fallible, witty - yeah, someone's created a character we all want - and Daniel Craig fleshed him out. (Ian Fleming might have started it all, but I feel Bond's really been brought to life in 'Casino Royale'.)

[Egyptian Bond]

I can't say he's the best Bond ever - he's certainly the best actor to play the part though.

I agree. Craig gets a big "Approve" from me.

But I'm not sure it's possible for Connery to knocked out of the Best Bond spot in my opinion.

I agree Cody....
Criag is a very good actor,and can really convey his reactions and expressions wonderfully,Connery however,was the first one to portray 007,and he somehow became the only one who I can consider as Bond because he was the first one to actually create an moving image of the Ian Fleming's Bond,and he is one of the greatest actors on earth....Connery has performed in 7 movies,but Criag only 1,so simply we can't compare but...when Craig performs in the coming Bond 22,we'll see...opinions can change u know!
so Connery is the Best Bond Cinematically
Craig is the Coldest and Closest Bond to Reality

[ChronoBreak]

Daniel Craig is a fantastic James Bond, very nearly the best ever... and Casino Royale is a spectacular Bond film in every respect.

Both Craig's performance and the film itself are new high watermarks for the series.

[RazorBlade]

I admit that most of my approval of DC comes from the fact that CR is the bond film I've been waiting for for years. Finally EON got it right.

I think saying "finally" is an overstatement. EON was always right with making Bond. but it's just the formula that they make for each film. This one tastes brilliant. A way a Bond film used to be, back with DN, FRWL, OHMSS. To tell you the truth, this is my favorite Bond movie, And Craig has been able to make something amazing. He's my favorite Bond actor right now.

I don't think it's an overstatement. No, EON wasn't always right. Over the years they've had some amazing talent work for them. Not just actors who were wonderful but storytellers and film makers too. Yet, too many bond films were stinkers. Most of the output of the 70's and 80's with most of the 90's thrown in. Now I like the girls and boys at EON. But this is something I would tell them even if we were friends.

[B5Erik]

My post CR thoughts on Daniel Craig?

I knew Timothy Dalton. Timothy Dalton was a friend of mine. Daniel Craig - you're no Timothy Dalton.



But you've got time to come up to that level. Keep trying...

[Vauxhall]

Well I was torn between putting simply "approve" or "best Bond ever"; decided just to go for the former, because I really want to avoid building Craig up to a huge level which he can't reach for BOND 22. I am confident that he will be the best Bond, but for the moment, I'm reserving final judgement.

[Publius]

I find it interesting that so many people determine "best Bond ever" based on the weighted averages of each actor's performances. I for one only go by each actor's best, and if they also gave bad performances that would weigh them down overall, I simply criticize them for that in conjunction with praising them for reaching such great heights at least one time.

Hence, Connery ranks very highly on my list, despite slipping in quality early on and having two or three phoned-in performances. Likewise, if Craig turns out to give the worst Bond performance yet in Bond 22, he'll be (as odd as it may seem) both the best and worst Bond ever in my judgment.

[Harmsway]

I find it interesting that so many people determine "best Bond ever" based on the weighted averages of each actor's performances.

Me too. I've never thought of it that way.

Hence, Connery ranks very highly on my list, despite slipping in quality early on and having two or three phoned-in performances. Likewise, if Craig turns out to give the worst Bond performance yet in Bond 22, he'll be (as odd as it may seem) both the best and worst Bond ever in my judgment.

Quite right.

[Blonde Bond]

I approve...

He might not be the best of the best, but he certainly is one of those fellas, who hang on to that first prize.

After three viewings I'd have to put it like this; 1.Sean Connery/Pierce Brosnan/Daniel Craig. They're all trying to get that ...er...prize.

Edited by Blonde Bond, 17 February 2007 - 06:30 PM.

[supernova]

I always thought Sean Connery was over-rated and Lazenby and Dalton under-rated. Maybe its all to do with press and whether or not they like you. They were always great on Connery but so far have been evil towards Craig. As to whether or not Daniel Craig will be able to become the 'suave and sophisticated Bond' - hello, he is an actor!