The new James Bond film, Casino
Royale, staring Daniel Craig, is by far the best James Bond film
ever made. The best?
Not necessarily in terms of
special effects, spectacular climax scenes at the end of the film,
or even action segments. It is the best, as it’s most believable,
both in terms of the character himself, and the story.
Casino Royale is an action film
for sure, but with some reality twists that almost let you believe
it could have really happened.
The earlier Bond films were
somehow too Hollywood, too fixed for convenient solutions, and left
the viewer without any need to think.
There is no shortage for real
action, and fight scenes that instead of being just choreographed,
are planed out for realism.
Daniel Craig is not Sean Connery,
but nevertheless, you meet with the events that formed James Bond
into what he became and in this film, you can believe it.
The plot wherein Bond is assigned
to play Texas Hold’em (a new form of high-stakes poker) is also very
believable.
Bond errors in his technique, and
loses a great deal of money to the film’s villain. However returns
to play the game in the best way, and in a very realistic scene, he
holds cards to create a Flush against the villains Full House.
Like all the other scenes, and
story development, its very believable.
The gadgets are underplayed, and
all Sony-based (Sony owns Colombia Pictures), but not as blatant
“product placement” as it could have been.
The director and writers had some
good mission here to make things natural and believable, and they
succeeded for the most part.
The development as Bond as a lady killer is
well thought out as well, with a UK Treasury official, naturally a
beautiful girl, being put to look after Bond's gambling stake.
She is played by Eva Green', as Vesper Lynd,
and is an a typical Bond girl.
She is definitely smart, witty, willful and
not immediately set to join Bond in bed. Her role is also believable
(although her death is not), but it becomes necessary so you can see
the development of the unique Bond character.
Daniel Craig’s look fits exactly the role of
what Bond is, a spy, killer, patriot, and professional in his work.
Other Bonds were famous actors, and played
their part well, but were never totally believable. We think they
have achieved a great degree of realism with Craig.
The villains are also quiet believable, as is
their villainy.
Sponsors of terrorism, as a theme is quite
topical and the actors chosen give you no doubt they could be
capable of the task. It’s about big money and villainy, and there is
enough evidence of it in this film as well.
The film runs 144 minutes, and although it is
not packed as were other Bond films with explosions, chases, and
fighting, there is not a dull moment.
Craig and the cast are excellent, the director
and screen writers all are to be congratulated. The film is a must
see, and will no doubt be the groundwork for all Bonds in the 21
century.
