An Action-Packed but Dark Bond Film.

Rating: 5/10 (8 July 2007)

This film is supposedly James Bond's first adventure as a "Licensed to Kill" agent, and actor Daniel Craig's first outing as 007. In this story, Bond must stop Le Chiffre (played by Mads Mikkelsen), a banker to the world's terrorist organizations, from winning a poker tournament to raise money for the investors at Casino Royale in Montenegro.
This film is action-packed. My favorite actions scene is when Bond must stop the destruction of a great airplane in Miami, plotted by Le Chiffre to crash the bonds in the stock market and break the air flight company. The poker tournament is filled with suspense, letting the audience wonder what tricks Bond and Le Chiffre have up their sleeves. And, Eva Green as Bond girl Vesper Lynd gave a stunning performance, joining forces with Bond in the fight against evil, and eventually becoming his first love interest.
This film was done pretty well to serve as the prequel to all the other Bond films, as it depicts how Bond first receives his license to kill and how M has placed her trust in Bond's ability to carry out and finish a mission. The chemistry between the two were catchy. As Bond utters his last line, "My name is Bond, James Bond," in the film, you would know that his adventures as Agent 007 have just begun. However, what was a little out of context was that since this is the "first" Bond movie, shouldn't they have someone else portray M rather than Judi Dench, since she portrayed M in the "later" Bond films? And, I thought the use of modern day technology like cell phones and e-mail also was out of context. In addition, this film does lack the humor, charm and zest found in the earlier Bond films with Sean Connery and Roger Moore. Craig was a little too serious and somber at times, with no mixed emotions. Craig also lacks the suaveness and charm from the previous Bonds; he gives this impression like he is just some vengeful person out with a vendetta.
The special effects were fantastic, though a little overkill at times, and I thought some scenes were too dark and gritty even for a Bond film. This film leaves much continuity towards the end which, again, let's you know that a long line of adventures for Bond have yet to come.
Grade C-