Amazing!!

Rating: 10/10 (17 November 2006)

A new millennium and a new look and feel for the world's favourite spy, James Bond.
Firstly, let's just clear one thing up. Daniel Craig is a revalation as Bond. Quality acting throughout, and totally believable. For those saying he was not the right choice, it just shows why you're not a casting agent for major motion pictures.
This film has something for everyone, both die hard Bond fans and non-fans alike. The reason for this is that it is unlike any Bond movie you have ever seen before. Gone are the gadgets, the smart quips, Miss Moneypenny and the 'impervious to harm' Bond. This Bond bleeds, and he certainly looks like it hurts in certain scenes. Bond deals with his enemies in a cold and brutal fashion, more akin to the Bond Ian Fleming wrote about. Imagine the coolness of Sean Connery, coupled with the ruthless cold edge of Timothy Dalton. This is Daniel Craig.
As a massive Bond fan, the omission of some of the trademark 'Bond' things such as gadgets and jokes was at first a little bit of a letdown - but once you have let the film wash over you, you realise that they don't take anything away from the main reason we love Bond - ACTION.
When it comes to action scenes, Casino Royale delivers in spades. The opening sequence is totally breathtaking, but unfortunately none of the major action set-pieces which follow quite live up to the opener. That's not to say the others are bad, just not as hair-raising. We gain an insight into how Bond becomes the character he is from the earlier films as he earns his 'OO' status. The script is superb, and the chemistry between Craig and Eva Green (playing Government Treasury official Vesper Lynd) are excellent.
One disappointment for me though was Green as a choice of Bond girl. Yes she can act, but she lacks that certain 'something' which made previous Bond Girls so attractive. She's certainly not bad looking, but she doesn't inflame male passions. The sexual tension in the film is purely reserved for the female members of the audience, who will certainly be swooning over Craig for weeks after this film.
Yes there are plot holes the size of a small canyon - but this doesn't really matter. The 140 minute running time simply flies by, and it's rollocking good entertainment.
Bond is back - you better believe it!