It’s like holding your breath under water as you’re instantly tossed into James Bond (Daniel Craig) navigating the streets of Sienna, Italy, from would-be-assassins who unload rounds of ammunition into his sports car. But exhale quickly, because as soon as the opening credits wrap, the nauseating camera work finds him crashing through a glass roof-top and chasing some nutso killer who’s just explained that ‘organizations are everywhere’ – because good guys are bad guys – and ‘you won’t know the difference.’ The movie all at once feels part “Bourne Identity” and part Jason Statham of “Transporter.” In-control hottie, Daniel Craig feels like a naked dancing girl in a cage – all sexiness but hands off. More a killing machine than a human, Bond is seeking revenge on his girlfriend’s death, vis a vis a corrupt environmentalist, Dominic Green (Mathieu Amalric). Chic destinations take us from Italy to London to Haiti and Austria as “M” (Judi Dench) – who returns from “Casino Royale” – reprises the role of Bond’s mother-boss nagging about his infiltrating an operation that takes him swooping down on a yacht to rescue Camille (Olga Kurlylenko). Lucky for Camille! Though the two bond – no pun intended – the movie’s true love continues to be Dench with her sharp-tongued reprimands and warnings. The movie is neither good nor bad, perfect nor flawed, and it doesn’t make a difference if Bond has his shirt on or off. (Off is okay.) The film and its plot are all-over the map but certainly gives you a thrilling bang for your buck. One thing is certain, Daniel Craig has this franchise nailed. And the dialog about how to make an authentic Bond martini is certainly worth the price of admission. Two and a half martinis shaken, not stirred. rated PG-13
