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Okay, let's get it out of the way - Solace is not as good as Casino Royale. The 22nd Bond outing lacks the emotional impact of its predecessor, as well as the obvious surprise element of Royale (did you really think Craig would be that good, or the fights that brutal?). What it does do is offer more action than any of the sub-par Brosnan Bonds put together; and while some sequences may feel slightly over-choreographed, others are nothing short of stunning. Set mere moments after the explosive conclusion to Royale, it opens with Bond in the midst of a high speed car chase, as he transports the recently kneecapped Mr. White to an interrogation. But after another frantically staged shoot-out, Bond goes rogue, as the plot once again explores the evil organisation at the heart of the last outing’s shady shenanigans. Proceedings here are far too tightly-condensed - even though explored over two films - to work with complete coherence. While Greene is a creepy baddie, he's not a million miles from Le Chiffre, and Arterton and Kurylenko are functional Bond girls at best. Thank goodness then, for 007 himself; Daniel Craig stakes a claim with this instalment to steal the throne of "Best Bond Ever" from Sean Connery. He's given less here to work with in terms of character, but still manages to inject a dangerous spontaneity into everything Bond does - he is as comfortable in the stylish Tom Ford suits as he is embodying the treble digits. This may be Bond Bourned-up, but Craig is built like a UFC cage fighter - and you get the impression he could genuinely handle himself in a scuffle with a random henchman. Second unit director Dan Bradley manages to stage a couple of impressively bruising fight sequences that offer more a subtle nod in the direction of Bourne (which he also choreographed). Bond is officially a cold bastard now - he kills at will, rarely stopping to ponder anything he's just done. Only in a brief moment with Kurylenko is the depth introduced in Royale explored: he puts sentiment on the back foot, and gets back to what he does best - killing and shagging. Beautifully staged in parts (the opera sequence being a particular standout), it may disappoint some of those turned back on to the franchise by Casino Royale; but nonetheless, this is still a vastly superior action film.

Review by Mike Sheridan