Is it a Bond Film - I don't think so . . . . . . . . . .

Rating: 5/10 (20 November 2006)

I am a self confessed Bond fan, always have been. So I was looking forward to Casino Royale, even though I didn't really think Daniel Craig was "right" as Bond (he is more memorable as his thuggish character from 'Layer Cake') but being a fan I thought I would have to give it a go.
So, I settled down to enjoy the new Bond film.
Enjoy is too strong a word.
Its not rubbish or anything like that, and it is well made and tightly Written and Directed - BUT (theres always a big but isn't there Lol) its not a Bond Film. It doesn't even bear a resemblance to a Bond novel (which differ in many ways to the Films on Ian Flemings insistence).
Its more like the Bourne supremacy in style, great if you are a fan of American action films admittedly. Clever in places (mainly due to Flemings original plot sneaking through), and great looking (sets and costumes near perfect). The whole thing is very slick and "American".
The reason why they have gone back to Casino Royale (Bonds first mission) is to "re-set" the whole legend I would think. To try and do this is wrong, they are (sort of) making a prequel here, but it has no real relation to what has gone before.
Unfortunately, Bonds witty dialogue now comes over as crass and arrogant rather than sharp and smart - in point -
Bartender: Shaken or stirred? James Bond: Does it look like I give a damn?
My reaction was "Huh"?
A couple of things annoyed me too, if its Bonds first mission - why is M a Woman? She replaced 'Him' to give the Bond Movies a more modern resonance. M was a man in Casino Royale, it might be a little misogynistic of me to point this out - but they have changed WAY too much!
Pretty much gone are the gadgets too, only to be replaced by an overly muscular killer with no morals or ability to empathise with anyone. In the PC 2000's this bond is a thug, cruel and unpleasant with little or no style IMHO.
Judy Dench looks like she is unsure why she is there, and to be honest I was thinking that too - she is much more talented than the script or direction gives her credit for.
Its is violent and funny in places (not Bond funny, to me it lacks wit and charm) and the action scenes are very well shot and directed indeed.
But is it a Bond Movie -
I don't think so.
Drew