"I'm sorry. That last hand... nearly killed me."

Rating: 10/10 (20 February 2020)

After "Die Another Day" received a negative reception due to its over-the-top story and camp aesthetic, the James Bond franchise went on a four year exile to soul search and discover what it wanted to become.
"Casino Royale" was the heart-pounding and ferocious return to form that the forty-four year-old series needed. Dispensing with the cartoon-level gadgets and ridiculous villains, this film would strip Bond back down to his roots. This wasn't only going to be one of the best Bond outings ever conceived but also one of the most riveting and visceral action blockbusters of the 21st century!
The best place to start this review is with Bond, James Bond, played so excellently by Daniel Craig. Whilst I am a huge fan of Pierce Brosnan and Sean Connery's portrayals of 007 respectively, Craig is, in my opinion, the best Bond yet. In the spectacular opening sequence alone he proved all of the "No Blond Bond" naysayer's wrong, but also brought more humanity, depth and dry wit to the table than most other Bond's contribute in their entire multi-film run.
When I judge a Bond, I gauge them on two factors: One- "Are they suave enough?" and Two-"Do they look capable of killing people?" Unsurprisingly, Daniel Craig leapt over these metaphorical hurdles effortlessly, he is both unbelievably charming and sophisticated and delivers the brilliant one-liners with apparent ease. Craig's Bond also acts as human tank, barrelling from one outstanding action set-piece to the next with brutal efficiency.
An aspect of this incarnation of 007 that I thoroughly appreciate is that unlike his predecessors, he doesn't annihilate henchmen without breaking a sweat. In the same vain as "Indiana Jones", this Bond is pushed to his limits as he struggles to defeat his enemies. This desperation makes 007 so much more relatable and engrossing as he isn't a superhero, he's just a man. This vulnerability is best emphasised during a near-silent scene in which Bond washes blood off himself, dulling the pain with alcohol and gazing into a mirror. This scene tells the audience so much about Bond and his psyche without Craig saying a word.
Another shining example of the sheer prestige of "Casino Royale" is how it handles its Bond Girl, Vesper Lynd, played by Eva Green. Whereas most Bond Girls (with a few exceptions) are treated as 2-dimensional caricatures, Vesper is written as a real person. Her banter with Bond is great as, unlike nearly every woman in his life (except M, portrayed by the ever excellent Dame Judi Dench), Vesper sees through Bond's confident mask and understands who he really is, which makes her his true equal. Unlike some Bond movies that beat the audience over the head with how important a woman is to Bond, but without developing the two characters relationship (*cough* "SPECTRE"), "Casino Royale" crafts superb dialogue that entertains us whilst also evolving both Bond and Vesper.
A key aspect to every great Bond film is its villain; Mads Mikkelsen's portrayal of Le Chiffre easily makes him one of my favourite Bond antagonists. He doesn't stroke a white cat, reside in a mountain-top lair or kill his henchmen unnecessarily, Le Chiffre feels more like a real person, or as real as a person who weeps blood can be.
The action sequences in "Casino Royale" are absolutely jaw-dropping. Martin Campbell, who incidentally directed another of my favourite Bond movies, "Goldeneye" (and "Green Lantern" but we don't talk about that one), masterfully directed this film. Even though "Casino Royale" is an obvious response to the gritty realism of the "Jason Bourne" series, none of Bourne's trademark (and sickening) Shaky-Cam is to be found here; every set-piece is filmed in a clear and fluid way so that we can actually follow and understand what's happening. The highlight of the film is the phenomenal construction-site parkour chase, featuring some of the best moments in the entire film that perfectly establish this version of 007, ( such as the moment when, instead of leaping through a hole in a plaster wall, Bond smashes straight through it.) All of the other sequences are flawless, from a particularly nerve-wracking truck battle (that pays homage to "Raiders of the Lost Ark") to the brutal stairwell fight and emotional finale.
Something else that makes "Casino Royale" a masterwork is the powerful pre-title sequence. I love that the film reissues the iconic gun barrel sequence to take place in the bathroom brawl. The monochrome style and suspenseful direction tie-in perfectly with the events of the scene (Bond making his second kill and gaining his 00' status and Licence to Kill), and offer a dramatic and visually striking sequence that is totally unique to the Bond franchise.
The film's title sequence is one of the best in Bond history. The animation and graphics are so awesome; the playing card theme is used so effectively to create the most artful and print-worthy title sequence in the series. It doesn't hurt that Chris Cornell's "You Know My Name" is a stellar entry into the Bond song canon and brilliantly ties into the more aggressive style of this film.
And last but definitely not least, the closing minute of "Casino Royale" is my absolute favourite moment in the 007 franchise and the best use of the line "Bond, James Bond." This moment is incredibly satisfying because, up until this point, "Casino Royale" has been about Bond becoming the character that we know and love, so finally hearing the magnificent James Bond theme blast through the air is a moment that never fails to give me goose-bumps!
In conclusion, "Casino Royale" is a stellar spy-action thriller. It's intense, funny, sleek and edgy! It's a fantastic reboot, accessible for both long-time fans and newcomers alike.