Then I stopped going to Bond movies. Apologies to those that love them, but I never could warm to Pierce Brosnan or Timothy Dalton. George Lazenby never reached my radar either.
So....two weeks ago, on a wet day and wanting to see a movie to cheer ourselves up, my friend and I stood in the multiplex, wondering what to watch. We chose Quantum of Solace for no other reason than it was just starting, and it was a 1/2 hour wait for any of the alternatives to start.
What a happy choice! We loved it! I loved it so much that I went back this weekend to see it again and it was every bit as good the second time around. Bear in mind, I have not seen Casino Royale yet - though I have now ordered one from a well-known on-line vendor
I do appreciate that I need to see Casino Royale, but I didn't need it to get the point of the story on Quantum of Solace, nor need it as a lead-in. I'll be approaching Casino Royale with a great deal of excitment and anticipation though.
I have to say that Daniel Craig is stunning. He makes the movie. I found him totally believable in a way I had not experienced since Connery....though he plays it so differently.
All I knew of Daniel Craig's work was the rather quirky and off-the-wall kind of things like Love is the Devil and Some Voices. When he was announced as the new Bond in 2005, I can remember raising my eyebrow and wondering how that would work out, but was not interested enough to go and see Casino Royale to find out, despite the rave reviews. I was that 'not interested' after all those years.
So, bottom line - well done Daniel Craig! A past Bond fan has come in from the cold and will be waiting eagerly for the next film. Some sites say 2010, others say 2011...I just hope it is sooner rather than later.
In the meantime, I will be putting my copy of Casino Royale and (when it gets released) Quantum of Solace lovingly next to Dr No and Goldfinger et al on the DVD shelf, and wait patiently.
Sorry for rambling on folks, but I just wanted to share with some Bond fans that there must be old fans like me out there who may be back supporting the franchise simply because of Daniel Craig's rendering of Bond.
