In a word, drivel

Rating: 3/10 (28 February 2008)

In a word, drivel. But in more than one word...
The film takes place at the beginning of Bond's career, although this is strangely in the 00's not the 60's. Craig is a good Bond, he dispenses with the 'humour' of the previous incarnations. This is a good thing, as what masquerades for 'humour' in previous Bond films may perhaps make an 8 year old laugh, but beyond that i think having a lobotomy is a pre-requisite.
The film plays like some dreadful advert for 'poor' people to watch glimpes of a lifestyle they'll never have, thank f**k. Woohoo, $40,000,000 in one hand of poker, we're all supposed to say 'wow', at that point of course. I yawned.
And talking of adverts, the product placement is overbearing. Do you have an Aston that flips on it's roof because you turn the steering at speed? I'll take 10 please.
I didn't care about the characters one iota. In fact, it just seemed like noise whenever they actually did or said anything.
OK, I know it's a Bond film not the Diving Bell and the Butterfly. I know it's wallpaper, but sometimes, can we not be given wallpaper that rises above the woodchip? Well, of course we can. We get top quality 'spy' action\thrillers like the Bourne series. It is possible to make armchair thrillers that thrill and engage. Sadly the makers of Casino Royale have yet to go to that particular movie class.
What we have here is a vulgar and mindless romp whose sole grace, Craig, cannot catapult beyond the feeble boundaries of mediocrity.
Avoid.
Ben