a re-energised franchise

Rating: 8/10 (22 April 2007)

Prior to this films release the furore, regarding the choice of actor to play James bond was verging on hysteria. People said that Daniel Craig would ruin the part and one of the more bizarre statements was that he couldn't possibly play bond because he was blonde. Everybody was wrong. Craig is a superb actor who brought depth and a sense of reality to the role. Casino royal is a fantastic adventure and the choice to show the violence in such a graphic realistic manor was a master stroke, as previous bonds, particularly Roger Moore have become a pastiche of them selves, reducing Bond to a cartoon like character. Daniel Craig's ability to show a weakness and vulnerability in Bonds character was a revelation, along with the blood and snot produced from the realistic fight scenes he played the role in a more vesicle manor, one could almost collude in his gasping of breath and pain during the torture scenes. Bond has now entered the noughties but I feel Ian Fleming would not be displeased with this depiction of his character. The overall pace of the film was excellent, the female protagonist was suitably played by Eva Green but she was perhaps a little too self sacrificing in her demise. To reiterate this 'kiss of life' to a franchise that could have easily shuffled off into B movie oblivion. Daniel Craig has re-energised the franchise and we can only look forward to future instalments.