Best Bond since Goldfinger

Rating: 9/10 (6 December 2006)

Put it quite simply, this is the second best Bond film of all time. Only Goldfinger is better - and it would have to be a pretty perfect film to dethrone the Sean Connery classic. But it must be said that Casino Royale is a masterpiece in its own right. It gives the franchise a real kick up the backside, taking it from the post-cold war era into the 21st century. To many people it may not seem like a classic James Bond film with all the gadgets and far-fetched plots, but that format was getting a bit old and dated - 007 desperately needed a new look. And Daniel Craig certainly is a new look. He may be the polar opposite to the usual clean-cut, dark haired, slightly built 007, but whoever gave him the role was a genius. Craig is a muscular, blond, gruff Bond, and it works extremely well! The other main cast members are also excellent. Eva Green is one of the best Bond girls of recent times, while Mads Mikkelsen gives a superb performance as Le Chiffre, the bad guy (but not the typical psychotic, trying to take over or destroy the world). Many people criticised the producers for not having Q or Moneypenny in the film, and to be truthful, an appearance at least by Q would have been nice, but the plot didn't really have a need for him. Overall, some Bond enthusiasts may not like the gritty storyline, but Casino Royale reinvigorates a flagging franchise with a brilliant new look and a brilliant new 007.