Casino Royale gives hope to well written scripts

Rating: 8/10 (4 December 2006)

When I heard that Daniel Craig was going to be Bond, I cried foul like every other Bond purist. I assumed that the EON production had succumbed to Hollywood pressure and was about to turn this franchise into another Tom Cruise type vehicle. For the first time in many years I walked in expecting nothing, and walked out with nothing but good things to say about this film. While Daniel still doesn't naturally fit the Bond role he does fit James Bond slowly becoming the Bond we all know and love. Also although I'm not big on the Bond movies showing emotion, I thought that this was written extremely well. Craig's voice while not a refined as all the other Bonds (rather high pitched for my taste), and body seems a bit overdone (like something out of an Arnold/Stallone movie), these are the only things that I can honestly say was wrong with the movie, which are really petty. While the movie does drag a little towards the end (like a sprinter running a marathon), it still doesn't let you off of the high that the rest of the movie has given you, and eventually gets back on pace. You feel Craig's physical (and believe me he does experience that) pain, along with his emotional anguish. Craig's Bond is vulnerable, raw, and awkward, but these are all the things you would expect from a young Bond. I have nothing but good things to say about the script, it is a well written script, that allows Craig to shine with what he does best"ACT"! Craig was always a great actor, and does what any great actor does when give a good script (shine)! While the other Bonds may have the look (except Dalton), and the gadgets, this Bond redo relies on heavy locale and a great story. Make no mistake, this Bond is still filled with action, and explosions, just not on the grand scale we have become accustomed to. While he may not be Bond, he has made me a believer that if they can keep the story well written, that the franchise is in great hands. Craig's version while he may not be the athlete with the most talent on your team, he still gives the most effort and you can't take that away, and sometimes effort is better than just having the look/gift. While not Bond still does Bond more justice than the beloved Roger Moore. Watching this movie makes you wish that Pierce Brosnan had scripts this well written. I have to give Casino Royale an 8 out of 10.