JAMES BOND – THE DANIEL CRAIG COLLECTION (4K EDITION) / CERT: 15 / DIRECTOR & SCREENPLAY: VARIOUS / STARRING: DANIEL CRAIG (AND MANY OTHERS) / RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
The timing of the release of this new collection is certainly interesting. With Daniel Craig’s proposed final performance as James Bond in No Time To Die scheduled for release in spring 2020, it seems curious to bring out a collection of his previous four outings just six months prior. These beautiful, stunningly remastered 4K UHD versions catalogue Craig’s thirteen years as 007 – a box-set that would enhance any film fan’s collection, of that there is no doubt. But is this being used as a marketing tool to give Craig’s tenure one final flourish, a final promotion following the largely lukewarm reception of 2005’s Spectre and the production issues that have plagued this fifth installment?
Let’s hope not, because this truly is an impressive collection. Yes, for the most part there is nothing a fan will not have seen before and a casual viewer will likely be pressed to notice any real difference in the films or extras. To the seasoned – or well-read – observer, scenes from Casino Royale (2006) that were removed for classification reasons have now been restored, although these primarily extend existing scenes as opposed to being brand new ones. There are extras aplenty, including interesting background pieces and interviews, but most will either have been seen before or, at least, similar ones will have.
The real attraction here – the reason the collection even exists – is the quality in the picture and sound. James Bond has never looked or sounded so good! From the extraordinary visuals at the siege in Skyfall (2012) to the adrenaline-fueled car chase of Spectre (2015) and from the visceral torture by Le Chiffre in Casino Royale (2006), when every drop of sweat, every teeth-clenched moment and every excruciating sound are intensified to levels sure to cause maximum viewer discomfort, to the astonishing Day Of The Dead opening in Spectre (2015) this is film as it should be viewed. Clear, precise and ear-quakingly crisp.
Given that the collection comes with the standard Blu-ray versions of the films, and that much of the content has been readily available, the question really is whether anyone actually needs this new release. Well, no, but you’ll want it. But then you might need to check the specifications of both your player, sound and television set-up. As an excuse to upgrade your existing set-up, this could prove an expensive investment.
Whatever the reasons for its release (and you can be sure that around twelve months from now there will be an updated edition), this is a set that pays homage to arguably the best characterisation of James Bond. Craig has inhabited the role with a refreshing reality that has drawn back audiences frustrated with the fantasy of previous films.
And it’s also just the right size to fit in that Christmas stocking.
