Best Bond since OHMSS

Rating: 10/10 (15 November 2006)

Finally, a Bond movie worthy of being called Bond. It was the only movie that got me totally interested in Bond movies and books.
After further examining and watching the movie, I have finally concluded that this was the Bond that I have been waiting for since watching Connery's best performance "From Russia with Love".
Casino Royale is the story of Bond, who just received his double-o status, and his license to kill. This is a reboot, and knowing as such, people who complain why its set on 2006 and so on and so forth should just watch Batman Begins. This is a new Bond, set in the present time. No more agent for the Cold War, but the post 9-11 agent.
Craig is an amazing actor. He's got a hard face, but he can display emotions freely, subtle changes of expression. I was never bored watching how his face worked everything up. From his wooden parts in the poker scenes to the cringe inducing moments which involved a rope knot and a bottomless chair, he was entertaining. Since he plays a rookie double-o, we don't see much of the smoothness that Bond had established before, but we can be sure at the next movie, he will be. Especially after the last scene.
Eva Green is another excellent addition as a Bond girl. She may not be a total looker, but she is hot and played smart. She and Craig had good conversations (which imho, was natural) and had good chemistry, especially towards the end. Her last scene was also quite eerie and moving.
Mads Mikkelsen played a cool, level headed, yet conflicted bad guy. He was confident, a bit egoistic, but when he was confronted with difficulties, he shined. He made Le Chiffre unlikable yet understandable. Wish there were more bad guys like that. Less of the old how to conquer the world ploy, and more on being motivated on a personal level.
The story itself was complex yet simple. It may not be something easy to understand at once, but after a while it gets to you. I won't spoil any of the plot stories here, but if you have difficulty following, a second viewing is a lot of help. The direction was quite good as well... the action was never non-stop. It was entertaining, and quite jumpy at times (especially since it comes with a good score). The action plus storytelling was balanced enough, though you may feel the length at times.
Since this is "Beggining of Bond" story, it lacks all those gadgets from Q... there were only 2 tools Bond seem to use in the film. His gun, and... well, its a spoiler if I say it. 3 tools, if you add the car, and this is a welcoming change to the overblown gadgetry that was involved in the last few Bonds. A Bond without a gadget is a much more entertaining Bond because he'll have to depend on his wit other than some well placed gadget to get him out.
This is one of the most excellent Bond movies since the sixties. Reccomendable to any people, whether literary or movie Bond fans, or just casual ones. This isn't your run-of-a-mill action movie. Its deep and moving. Its not perfect, but in the future, it will be considered as a classic.
Bravo EON. And Bravo Mr. Craig. Lets hope Bond 22 will be better.