Brosnan who?

Rating: 8/10 (8 December 2006)

Recently I went to see Casino Royale at my local Vue cinema. I must say that I went in with high expectations, not only at the prospect of a more violent Bond, but at the fact Goldeneye helmer Martin Campbell was returning to the franchise.
We begin with a moody black and white start cutting between Bond coolly and collectively talking to his target and a vicious flashback showing him killing a henchman in the bathroom. It soon becomes apparent that this Bond is the start of a new franchise, with the sequel Risico already in development.
We are then treated to a long title sequence which, although it is fitting of a Bond movie, feels strangely out of place. The bright colours do, however, provide a nice contrast to the pre-credits monochrome madness.
The filmmakers then play their ace, a free-running set piece that shows off Bond's physicality; for the first time we believe that this man can do what we see on screen. Which brings me to Daniel Craig. I had high hopes after seeing him in Enduring Love and Layer Cake. He delivers the goods in this film, proving that us blonde people can be super spies.
What I found most enjoyable in this film are the poker scenes which deliver just as much, if not more excitement than the action pieces.
I could go on and on about this film but I wont. So here are my final thoughts. Daniel Craig is a terrific Bond with the more 'down to earth' approach, the collective jaw hit the floor at the free-running scene and other action and the poker scenes provide excitement of a different kind. However, some may find the plot confusing and hard to follow but this is made up for with Craig's charisma and one of the most wince inducing torture scenes ever.
So this is Bond for the 21st century, going toe to toe with the likes of Bourne and Mission Impossible (which in my opinion is still superior). I thoroughly recommend this to all Bond fans and action nuts.
8/10- Bond is back with a bang.