Bond for the 21st century

Rating: 8/10 (6 January 2007)

Seeing a new Bond-film used to be something that i looked forward to. But as the last few movies starring Brosnan have been so awful (not Brosnans fault though) i approached this one with a lot more caution. Especially since the premise looked so good. The director previously directed "Goldeneye" which was the only really good Bond-film with Brosnan, Daniel Craig looked like a perfect Bond, initial reports were positive etc. But all the more reason to be cautious in getting my hopes up.
Fortunately "Casino Royale" delivered. I must say i find this to be the best Bond-film in decades. Sure, it's very different from the things we are used to see in Bond-films. There is very little comic relief, very little romance and almost no unbelievably advanced little gadgets. The modern Bond just needs his laptop, his mobile phone and gun to get around. And an Aston Martin of course, some things don't change.
So, while this is not a standard James Bond-film, it still feels like it works so much better than the classic formula. Not least because we've seen that formula so many times that it becomes predictable, as well as dated (electronic gizmo's aren't as fun when we can all get them). Daniel Craig plays Bond more the way you would expect the real Bond to be. A man bereft of empathy, a strong and ruthless person. Well trained, with a face carved in stone and a style to match. Pretty far from the more relaxed suave Bond of Pierce Brosnan or Roger Moore. A different Bond for sure, and i don't know which Bond i prefer, rather i would just state that he's different and works very well, and leave it at that.
All these changes are bound to turn people away from the movie. And while i consider this to be a great movie, i don't really connect it that much to previous Bond-movies. Rather it's a great movie in and off itself. It has great pacing with quick and energy-packed action scenes, as well as calmer moments of suspense. It's well acted, well written and makes a lot more sense than most Bond-films of late. No madman wanting to take over the world, but instead a more logical and believable foe. While i admit that i feel a bit of sadness at losing the Bond-movies unique touches, this movie really brings the franchise into the 21st century.
So i recommend this both to people who are Bond-fans, as well as people who just want a well-acted, well-written and action-filled movie. I rate it 8/10.