Refreshed, reinvigorated, and returned

Rating: 9/10 (2 December 2006)

After a four year hiatus and coming off of by far the most camp, dull, and ridiculous Bond film in the series' four-decade long history, 007 is back and has returned in full glory.
Casino Royale is a fresh breath of air after suffering eleven years of nonsense thanks to Pierce Brosnan. Daniel Craig's portrayal of the British icon is spot-on, thanks to witty and intelligent dialogue from Paul Haggis.
Filling out the cast are French beauty Eva Green as Vesper, who delivers one of the most human and emotional Bond girls since On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Mads Mikkelsen as LeChiffre is brilliant; sinister and brutal, but yet not over-the-top as has become custom in the more recent entries. And, of course, Judi Dench's M is masterful, as expected from the Oscar-award winning actress.
Casino Royale is a success in so many ways. It has reinvigorated the franchise, bringing it back from possible suicide after the disastrous Die Another Day. It has refreshed a stale formula that Brosnan's Bond films seemed to rely on--an overload on gadgets and plain old ridiculousness. And most importantly, it sends a statement that James Bond has indeed returned.
There are a few minute quibbles with the film. The most agreed upon problem is that at 144 minutes, the movie is too long. It does seem that the movie could end at around three different points. If you're not totally into the movie, it's possible to get lost in the story. There are several different plot twists that are easy to get lost in and leave you wondering what's happening. And while David Arnold produced his best score since his first go at the Bond movies with Tomorrow Never Dies, it seems as if the entire movie is accompanied by music.
But in the end, Casino Royale is the best Bond film since On Her Majesty's Secret Service. And credit is due to two in particular--the producers and Daniel Craig. Eon took a big risk with Casino Royale, darting from the cheesy style that brought in $430 million worldwide with the last movie, and then hiring a controversial star to wear the tux. And, I think it's safe to say Daniel Craig spat in the face of all the naysayers, portraying undoubtedly the most hardcore, realistic Bond since Sean Connery.
Casino Royale is fantastic and one of the best films of the year. James Bond is back, and he is here to stay.