Daniel Craig hailed as "the best Bond yet"

Daniel Craig is being hailed as "the best Bond yet" by the British media following the world premiere of Casino Royale.

Reviewers say the opening night, attended by Queen Elizabeth II late Tuesday, had been a "personal triumph" for 38-year- old Craig.

"He started off as junk Bond, panned by the critics for his blond hair, arty manner and lived-in face...but Daniel Craig has had the better of them in the end," wrote the Daily Telegraph.

"The blond Bond era began in style," said the Times, which praised Craig as "the best Bond yet."

Dismissing the suggestion that he had sought to answer his critics with his performance, the star himself said: "I just set out to make a good movie."

But, according to the Daily Mail, it was the Queen who calmed any nerves Craig might have had with the "warm smile" she offered during the handshake with her secret agent.

The handsome actor - who is making his debut as the suave spy in the new 007
adventure - shook hands with the monarch in front of thousands of Bond fans
who had gathered in London's Leicester Square to see the actor.
Craig was joined on the red carpet by his co-stars Dame Judi Dench, who
plays secret service boss M, and new Bond girl Eva Green.
The blonde actor - who was accompanied by his American film producer
girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell, 29 - admitted he was really "excited" about the
new film.

He said: "It's fantastic. I'm just very excited. These sorts of things
happen once in a lifetime and I'm just trying to enjoy it."
Craig - who has signed up to star in a further two Bond films and will start
shooting the next movie 'Bond 22' early next year - hopes 007 fans will
appreciate how much hard work he put in making 'Casino Royale'.
He added: "I did as much work as I could. When I found out I'd got the part,
I knocked back there vodka martinis. Then I just set out to make a good
movie."