"The name is Bond, James Bond" - Daniel Craig certainly earned it - this one literally with balls

Rating: 8/10 (19 November 2006)

Kudos to the "Casino Royale" 2006 production efforts, they've made this James Bond 21 worth waiting for. The film's prelude segment in b/w has Daniel Craig rather quietly there, yet the instance as trigger demands, 007 is quick without warning or a blink. He may not be as suave looking as the previous Bond's - his is rugged yet smooth, tough yet tender - the Daniel Craig way, indeed. The beginning credit roll graphic sequence is marvelously presented along with a song "You Know My Name" (performed by Chris Cornell) - the ingenious mix of bold color patterned shapes with miniature Craig the Bond figure delivering his moves, and animated silhouette motion/action integrated with close up of Craig's face for accents - is a visual entertaining delight.
"The name is Bond, James Bond" - yes, he has earned it, literally with all guts and balls - Daniel Craig will return 007 strong. When you get to hear John Barry's - correction: realized the original Bond theme composer is Monty Norman - popular James Bond theme music finally delivered with Craig uttering the famous line, one can be ecstatic about the whole (yes, 2 hours 24 minutes long) James Bond 21 film experience. Bravo for Monsieur Craig, and everyone involved in the project, with director Martin Campbell ("Mask of Zorro" fame), three screenwriters with Neal Purvis & Robert Wade (together on James Bond 19 and 20) including Paul Haggis ("Crash" 2005 fame), music by David Arnold (whose music sure accompanied and enhanced every segment and action, chase sequences, the tender moments, with very subtle strains of Norman's original James Bond theme selectively instilled). The cast: first and foremost Daniel Craig solidly portraying James Bond, unswerving Mads Mikkelsen as villain number one Le Chiffre, exquisite looking Eva Green convincingly as Vesper Lynd, Judi Dench firmly as M with unsuspecting sensibility. The plot may not be the tightest, yet as James Bond film series go, its storyline and action sequences kept within high suspense quotient. Those who play/understand poker games may very well have a good time at the casino table scenes plentiful. Besides exciting action requisite, this film is quite dramatic with deeper romantic aspects than any previous Bond outings. You might say Casino Royale 2006's Bond is more down-to-earth - a human who errs, hurts, even battered and vulnerable to death.
I remember Craig from his roles in director Roger Michell's two 2004 films: the controversial "The Mother" (body naked already next to matured Anne Reid) and stalking shadowed "Enduring Love" (intensely paired with Samantha Morton, playing opposite Rhys Ifan the single-minded nemesis). There's also "Layer Cake" where Craig portrayed the tough and almost impregnable 'XXXX' in the directorial debut of Matthew Vaughn, producer of Guy Ritchie's crime capers. (All three are 'NFE' not for everyone's taste.)
If you're interested in more behind the scenes production notes on MGM-Columbia Pictures-Eon Productions "Casino Royale" 2006, check on the official 'sonypictures.com' Web site: under "About the film" access "production notes" - which opens a PDF file (51-page) available for download, including the "Vesper Martini" ingredients defined.
P.S. Just checked the U.S. weekend top 10 and noticed "Happy Feet" took Number 1 with "Casino Royale" being Number 2. That should not 'shaken or stirred' Daniel Craig's Bond status - here's wishing sound box office revenue for James Bond 21.