"Royale" Wins the Pot

Rating: 10/10 (19 November 2006)

"Bond. James Bond." The man behind the infamous quote returns to his roots in the latest 007 adventure, "Casino Royale." The film features Bond in his most raw form: edgier, wittier, and even colder than audiences have seen in the spy's previous adventures. Daniel Craig, the newest man to drive the Aston Martin, pulls off the role with expertise. His performance is true to the feel of the original novel and will have doubters quickly retracting their reservations. Craig is accompanied by a talented cast including Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, and the returning Judi Dench as M. Under the direction of Martin Campbell, "Casino Royale" is an explosive hit that will evoke the devotion from traditional Bond aficionados and bring on a new generation of fans.
Newly appointed Double-0 agent James Bond (Daniel Craig) is on a mission to track down a terrorist funding organization. His search leads him to a criminal mastermind and expert gambler named Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen). Le Chiffre is looking to increase his funds by playing in a high stakes Poker game. Aided by Treasury Agent Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), Bond is recruited to play against Le Chiffre and bankrupt the organization. Should he lose, however, he will have personally aided in financing terrorism.
As he did with "Goldeneye", former Bond director Martin Campbell returns to bring new life and new attitude to the franchise. He keeps a fast pacing of the film and manages to capture all the action without missing a beat. He is keen to show the audience Bond's close calls while also leaving other details to their collective imagination. But Campbell does not simply rely on explosions and car chases for excitement. This is best shown in the Poker game that Bond and Le Chiffre are involved in. With his brilliant camera style, Campbell captures the tenseness of the situation. Audiences will be able to imagine themselves not only inside the poker room but at the very table of the contest.
Also returning for another Bond run are screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade whom are joined by veteran writer/director Paul Haggis. A better trio could not have been chosen to tackle the challenge of adapting the first Ian Fleming novel of 007. They stay true to the basic and most important fundamentals of the book while also adapting plot elements for the modern audience, i.e., changing the card game from baccarat to poker. Being a prequel, the screenwriters are also aware to make James Bond at his most basic form. He is not the quite the man with infinite charm and sophistication and tackles situations more with his wits than with gadgetry.
After months of speculation and distrust among fans as to whether or not he would be a suitable Bond, Daniel Craig's performance silences those doubts. As Bond on his first mission, Craig is more cold, calculating, and even egotistical than audiences have seen. He will complete the task regardless of what rules he has to break or who must be sacrificed. Craig demonstrates this through his encounters with M on and off the job. Acting out Bond in the original stage, Craig walks the fine line between being charming and arrogant. On the one hand he could be buttering up a woman and then suddenly turn the tables to feed his own ego. Craig also displays plenty of the Bond wit and humor that fans have come to expect and enjoy. But again, one has to define whether it is being funny or being self-centered. Eva Green becomes the latest Bond girl with her role as Vesper Lynd. Typical of most Bond girls, Green is a good mix of beauty and the not-so-damsel-in-distress. An antithesis of her literary character, Green portrays Lynd as very headstrong and almost a female reflection to the young Bond. For every snide remark and quick quip, Green matches in return. But Green does not make Lynd as cold or uncaring as Bond. She does an excellent job is showing the emotional and mental strain that becomes involved with the field work. Mads Mikkelsen is a great persona of Le Chiffre. He always carries an aura of self-confidence on-screen that if Bond were a villain it would be Le Chiffre. Mikkelsen's portrayal is just as cold, manipulative, and egotistical as Craig makes Bond out to be. An added bonus from Mikkelsen is something that has not been seen in many Bond villains: fear. Mikkelsen is not the typical Bond villain who is out to rule the world for himself. Rather he is an employee playing with his employers' money. Mikkelsen shows this knowledge throughout the film and an understanding of the consequences should he fail. Judi Dench is more involved in her return as M. She shows the frustration of having to deal with the brash, young Bond but also an almost motherly compassion for the trials he has to go through. One can tell that she wants her latest recruit to succeed but is unsure if he has the stability for the job.
"Casino Royale" will most certainly entertain Bond fans and movie-goers alike. Daniel Craig's portrayal of 007 is a refreshing change to the smooth customer fans have become accustomed to and will reinvent 007 to a new legion of fans. The incredible cast combined with the brilliant direction of Martin Campbell and fantastic screen writing guarantees "Casino Royale" will down as one of the top Bond films of all time. Mr. Fleming, you would be proud.
Grade: A+