Playing with Cliché and Stereotypes

Rating: 6/10 (4 December 2006)

As the title implies, 007 has a reputation to live up to. In most cases, I must say the film stays true to the origins, playing with clichés and stereotypes of villains and femme fatales. New Bond is simply full of attitude and has "BADASS" written all over his face, almost like an anti-hero. However, I must say I was disappointed after credits rolled. With recent hold'em craze influencing Casio Royale, the gambling scenes lacked something. I just can't grasp what it is, but the film's gambling scenes are inferior compared to Hong Kong "five card draw" gambling films. I understand the film's main focus isn't gambling but it dumbed down the excitement of hold'em. Another aspect I disliked was multiple hangers towards the end. Climax had gone down and it felt like it was dragging through two extra endings, somewhat like Da Vinci. It's nice to see little tie-ins and all, but overall it's just a slightly above average action film. It's a decent weekend bond film, disappointingly not great.