I've lost my Bond virginity and I don't know what took me so long

Rating: 8/10 (18 December 2006)

It's true...I am 28 years old and I have never laid eyes on a Bond film...well until now of course. I had decided some time ago when they picked Daniel Craig as the latest Bond that I would go see it on the big screen and I am really glad I finally took that chance on Bond because James Bond is the spy of all spies just like everyone has always said he was. Now granted I do understand that Casino Royale is perhaps not the average Bond film and this is an all new Bond but I still thought Craig was downright brilliant. I will make it my mission to see every Bond film and decide for myself who is James Bond. As of right now Craig is my Bond hands down and for good reason. Casino Royale is complex, and even now I'm a little confused by the entire plot and the ending and yet it doesn't matter much because Craig was such an incredible screen presence, and the action was terrific, the opening scenes were brutal and captivating and the direction was amazing from Poker Games to gun battles.
Of course as everyone knows now Mr. Daniel Craig takes the role as Agent 007 James Bond. Now this is a prequel to any other Bond film and Bond has just received his 00 status and his license to kill. I never realized that Bond was so much a hit man, basically a suave, seducing, killer. I never pictured him as that brutal or heartless but he really is. Craig's Bond is also sassy and rough around the edges and very cold and calculating, smart but also a little cocky and foolish in some places which isn't a Bond characteristic I didn't think. Craig is still a sure fire box office hit!! Eva Green is the latest Bond girl and she fits the bill. She's sexy, sultry and still knows how to kick some ass. Her performance at times is a little dry and could use some heart but for the most part she does well and her and Craig are decent together although not exactly ideal. Mads Mikkelsen plays the deliciously evil Bond villain Le Chiffre and Craig and Mikkelsen makes terrific adversaries and have some intense moments that are more dramatic and about eye contact and body language than actual contact. Mikkelsen is devilish and looks evil but plays the part well. Dame Judi Dench also returns adding her truly majestic class to the cameo role of Bond's boss "M." Her clever and intelligent banter with Bond is key to the film.
A little bit campy, a little bit overblown, a little bit dark, a little bit funny...I think this is the Bond formula, am I wrong?? If that is the case then Casino Royale fits the bill and knocks one out of the park. It wasn't a perfect film, I wasn't exactly blown away by my first entry into the Bond series but I still couldn't deny the film's presence and importance. Director Martin Campbell returns to the Bond franchise, having previously directed Goldeneye and he is no stranger to action or thriller which I found Bond to be more of a thriller than an action film despite some truly astounding and random explosions. I think that Bond fans will absolutely die over Casino Royale and I think if you are like me and have never bothered to enter into the Bond franchise, this is your chance to see a truly great action star make way into the world of Hollywood in a Bond film that further cements it's importance in cinema history. 8.5/10