Casino Royale is the Worst of the Bunch

Rating: 3/10 (17 November 2006)

How does one start relating the problems relating to the mess of this movie? Firstly, the plot is not revealed until 1/2 way through the movie. And it is so muddled as to stupefy the best imagination. I had to listen to an interview with the director on the radio before it made any sense.
Secondly, we are led to believe that this is James' first outing as an operative even though the actor is apparently in his late forties. I don't believe that spies start their careers that late. And I have a hard time believing that James Bond, in any incarnation, would kill as haphazardly and thoughtlessly as this one.
Which takes us to my third complaint: Daniel Craig is not a handsome man. Apart from his buffed body he has no sex appeal. He does not possess the rugged yet refined masculinity that the previous Bonds possessed in abundance. Craig has a roughness but no charm. He is without doubt the least attractive member in the bunch.
Lastly, this movie had no idea when the love should end and the action begin. No other movie in the franchise seemed so thrown together and so jumbled. And I can't imagine what the producers were thinking having so many double-agents. That was a very amateurish move.
I didn't like this Bond. I didn't like the movie. And I don't like the direction this franchise is heading. They've made some terrible choices. First to not beg Pierce to reprise a role that he perfected, and lastly, and most importantly to employ a Bond that is ugly and ruthless and without any suavete.
The Broccolis should rethink their choices before they lose all credibility.
3 out of 10 stars. And I'm being generous.