Could be the Best Bond Ever! Triumphant!

Rating: 10/10 (3 December 2006)

What an amazing Bond film. Just when disappearing cars and computer generated surfing on gel-like waters in Die Another Day made us wonder how worse things could get, we get Casino Royale. Some of us thought that perhaps the creators were losing their way, trying to please too many masters with poor James Bond in the middle of it all. But, in Casino Royale, the cartoon rendering ends and we get the kind of Bond you'd think his job would create.
Daniel Craig is magnificent in this role. He is undoubtedly Bond from the moment he appears on the screen and it just gets better - especially after repeated viewings. It's hard to believe this guy was as roughed up as he was upon being named to take on the role (mostly for not being "pretty" enough).
After multiple screenings -- and having watched all of the other Bonds as many times, it's hard to find fault with this movie. It's the longest ever made, but races through it's 2:24 running time. Artistic license fast forwards his mission to terrorism and not the cold war, even though this is supposed to be Bond's beginning, but that setting probably works better for most viewers today than younger people who may not even be familiar with the cold war.
Judi Dench is, well, her same masterful self as Bond's rather reluctant superior "M" -- and we're treated to as much of her as we have in any other film.
Gadget and comedy fans beware. This isn't your father's Bond. This guy is all business and 100 percent testosterone. There aren't any punchlines. No Bond shouting "sit" to a 700 lb Bengal tiger or apologetic mad Nazi-like hit man explaining how embarrassed he is to ask Bond for the security PIN on his car. This Bond is more reminiscent of the intense character that the under-appreciated Timoth Dalton gave us twice, but just a little more so.
We can feel Bond's demons and unhappiness. The fight scenes make you feel like you're in the middle of them. The time spent at the casino table races and is full of great suspense. That's particularly rewarding since so many ardent Bond fans wondered how you can treat so much card table time on film in today's attention deficit environment. And the film abounds with moments where you might nudge the person next to you warning "watch this." Bond's woman, Vesper Lynd, played by Eva Green is just great, as are all in this cast. But, this film showcases, both literally and physically, Daniel Craig who, with his performance, exclaims through his performance that this role is his for years to come.
What has probably struck me the most as a Bond fan of more than 40 years is how the franchise creators were able to strip down what these films have come to and make this movie so well from top to bottom.
I might have to put this just below Goldfinger since that was my first and a sentimental favorite. But, aside from that, it's hard to think of a better Bond. It's also gratifying that there is finally an entry into this series deserving of the Casino Royale moniker that we have heard about for so long.
To the makers of this film, we can't wait until the next one, but can't imagine what you can do for an encore. Welcome back, James!