Would you drink with this James Bond?

Rating: 7/10 (7 July 2008)

There are two kinds of Bond, James Bond. There is the sophisticated James Bond, the kind you would love to have a drink with (shaken, not stirred), and discuss politics, life, and religion (by religion, politics and life, I mean women). Then there is the other James Bond, the cynical, cold, merciless, gadget-free, ruthless, and all-around intimidating man that can kill you with his looks (actually kill you folks, no metaphor here). The more sophisticated Bond has been seen in more movies, as the likes of Roger Moore, Sean Connery, and Pierce Brosnan portray the classic character well. The other kind of Bond, the deadly one, hasn't been seen as much. Timothy Dalton proves that he could make a great villain as well as a James Bond, but this version of the spy has closer ties to the book. For whatever reason though, sophistication and suave is preferred on the big screen.
But after a temporary revival with Goldeneye, the franchise yet again dips towards silliness, so a third revival is needed (might be fourth, but who is counting?). What we have here now is Martin Campbell yet again trying to boost the franchise, and a new Bond. His name is Daniel Craig, whose film experience includes a lot of low-budget independent flicks made overseas. Daniel Craig has the body of a spy, but lacks the sophisticated look. Which can only mean he is going to be the- Bond. Angry-I'm-Going-To-Destroy-You With-A-Paper-Towel James Bond. Craig plays this role perfectly, and even exposes Bond to weaknesses, a rarity in the series. However, this new Bond will not be everyone's cup of tea. Even the opening credits aren't Bond-like, as there is a surreal lack of women. Craig doesn't use gadgets; he goes through places with his feet and his fist, and whatever item is nearby. He is brutal, heartless, and becomes vulnerable in only one instance. Unlike the previous Bond, he doesn't have much patience, he doesn't talk much, and he just doesn't try to woo anybody. This is action-packed Bond, and Casino Royale has plenty of action.
Casino Royale is chronologically the first time we encounter Bond, as we see him mold from cruel, impulsive, dangerous spy to a calmer, more calculated killer and defender of justice. Martin Campbell yet again does a good job in crafting a good action movie with plenty of lighthearted and romantic moments that ease the rising tensions that spring throughout the movie. We can also thank Campbell for introducing American audiences to Free-Running, which is a new trend that started overseas that can pave the way for on-foot chases to come. We can also thank the writing staff for bring Bond back to earth with realistic stunts and fights and locations (Paul Haggis, who has penned quite a lot of acclaimed work lent his skills here).
The only problem is the action might be a bit too much for a Bond film. The James Bond enjoys success because it deters a bit from the mindless grunge of action flicks by providing dosages of beautiful women, unique villains, and fun character interactions. This one feels more grunge than Bond, and that may alienate some, while it will also bring in new fans. Also, Craig and the lead Bond lady (in this case played by the beautiful Eva Green) just pales in comparison to the chemistry in another Campbell movie: The Mask of Zorro (Why Catherine Zeta-Jones and Antonio Banderas are not together in real life is beyond me).
Bottom Line: Casino Royale is a good Bond flick as long as you don't mind a revival of Timothy Dalton's version of James Bond. However, if you like Pierce and Sean, then you might be in for a nasty surprise as we see a vulnerable, and a not-as-likable James Bond running around creating havoc and frustration for the enemies. One necessity to a good movie is a likable main character, no matter what he or she does. This James Bond is well-portrayed, but not as decently fleshed-out as the action set pieces in this movie (best example is the insane chase/shootout in Madagascar). Craig was well-received, so be ready for the franchise gearing in a new direction, whether you like it or not. Be ready for a more violent, less gadgety Bond. For those of you that don't like this new Bond, there's always the new version of Get Smart. Why are you laughing?