Shaken, Not Stirred

I did something Friday night I had never done before. I saw a James Bond movie. "Skyfall" was playing at the local cineplex and I guess I just figured it was time. The franchise has been around 50 years after all.

Ian Fleming dreamed up 007 in the late 50's, but it was 1962 before the first Bond movie "Dr. No" hit the silver screen. To put it into perspective, other things of that era: Kennedy was President, John Glenn orbited the Earth, the Rolling Stones were just getting together, Dr. King hadn't had his dream yet, nobody knew where Viet Nam was, and the Beatles were a full year and a half away of appearing on Ed Sullivan. That was a while ago, and if Bond can last that long, there must be something to him.

There have been more than a few Bonds, and most older folks still swear by Sean Connery. Although my wife swears by Pierce Brosdon. At any rate, for me there is only Daniel Craig. He is a gifted actor and approaches this like it's a serious acting endeavor and therefore is wonderful. Plot? An old disgruntled employee. And in this one, no special gadgets. Just a radio tracker and a handgun that only his hand can shoot. But still this flick is lots of fun.

UPROAR ALERT: In one scene, Bond is seen drinking a ..... perish the thought....a beer (albeit Heineken which for my money ain't really beer).

I went in knowing that this was the franchise that spawned the action flick. I realized that the "Die Hard's" and the "Terminator's" and the "Rambo" movies would not exist if it weren't for Bond.

I enjoyed myself. And that is all I ask out of the hour and 40 minutes when I've dropped $9 a head. Daniel takes this seriously and actually puts in a performance, so I encourage you all to see it. And yes, he utters the cornerstones of the lexicon: "Shaken, Not Stirred", and "Bond, James Bond."