CASINO ROYALE
dir: Martin Campbell
"So you want me to be half-monk, half-hitman." - James Bond
Brief Synopsis
James Bond receives his first mission as a 00 agent to stop a banker funding terrorists through a high-stakes poker game at Casino Royale.
Why It's Here
James Bond is a long running film series that has hit numerous bumps in it's life span. Twice now, director Martin Campbell has stepped in and saved the franchise with some of the best films in the long running series. He first stepped in and introduced Pierce Brosnan as Bond in the excellent Goldeneye, and now he re-takes his throne and casts Daniel Craig to once again spark life into the character. Craig, who was viewed with skepticism upon his casting for being the youngest and first blonde Bond, ended up being a perfect match for the suave secret agent.
In a decade ruled by prequels, re-imaginings and unnecessary sequels, fair criticism was placed on Casino Royale before it's release, however, the film turned around and proved everyone wrong in becoming the surprise hit of 2006. Grounding the film in reality where previous films had abandoned for ridiculous sci-fi plotlines, the movie focused on Bond's relationships and his poker skills. Multi-million dollar poker games proved tense and as suspenseful and entertaining as the action scenes themselves due to the excellent editing and directing. The film isn't so much about Bond's entry as a 00 agent, but rather his origins of his womanizing the character has been known for. Eva Green stars as the chronologically first Bond girl, one with the most character in the series' long run. As Vesper, Green shows little interest in Bond until slowly being won over. Bond is a character who is naive, and when he becomes vulnerable he is torn apart, giving quite the motivation for his long running inability to really care for a woman.
While being somewhat overlong, Casino Royale defines itself as a Bond film not seen in decades, and something audiences clearly want to see more of. Easily being one of the best, if not the very best Bond in the entire 20+ film franchise, Craig truly deserves the most praise for taking a character who is already a staple in popular culture and redefining him.
In a decade ruled by prequels, re-imaginings and unnecessary sequels, fair criticism was placed on Casino Royale before it's release, however, the film turned around and proved everyone wrong in becoming the surprise hit of 2006. Grounding the film in reality where previous films had abandoned for ridiculous sci-fi plotlines, the movie focused on Bond's relationships and his poker skills. Multi-million dollar poker games proved tense and as suspenseful and entertaining as the action scenes themselves due to the excellent editing and directing. The film isn't so much about Bond's entry as a 00 agent, but rather his origins of his womanizing the character has been known for. Eva Green stars as the chronologically first Bond girl, one with the most character in the series' long run. As Vesper, Green shows little interest in Bond until slowly being won over. Bond is a character who is naive, and when he becomes vulnerable he is torn apart, giving quite the motivation for his long running inability to really care for a woman.
While being somewhat overlong, Casino Royale defines itself as a Bond film not seen in decades, and something audiences clearly want to see more of. Easily being one of the best, if not the very best Bond in the entire 20+ film franchise, Craig truly deserves the most praise for taking a character who is already a staple in popular culture and redefining him.