WOW! A New and Grand James Bond

Rating: 10/10 (12 December 2008)

It has never been more exciting or impressive to meet James Bond- not since his original introduction in "Dr. No." In one of the few instances where the movie tries to remain loyal to the general idea of the Fleming book, Daniel Craig hits the ground running (literally!) and takes over the role of Bond in a true tour-de-force." This is, in my opinion one of the 2-3 best Bond movies ever, maybe even #1. "From Russia With Love' also deserves heavy consideration, and I also feel that "Goldeneye,' "Live and Let Die," and "The Man With the Golden Gun" (heavily underrated) also are near the top.
"Casino Royale" was the book that began James Bond, and how apt that the newest Bond finally gets to show the start of James Bond. Daniel Craig may not look like the tall, dark-haired Bond described in the book, but he is Bond in attitude and direction.
This movie starts at a frantic pace and never lets up. No true weak spots are found among the myriad actors brought in. Bond is not the smirky, pun-filled Bond he is with Moore, or the smug, twinkle-in the eye rogue that Connery was. He is a tough guy- an assassin who understands his job, but must learn the subtler nuances. Craig pulls it off beautifully. Every other actor to play Bond has walked into the role of an already known, successful, and confident Bond. Now we get to see him starting, making mistakes, and doing the hard jobs the hard way. No clever gadgets, no super tanks or gyro-copters. Bond is an agent of the technical age now; he is computer literate and savvy, yet still the best at what he does. Critics who say he is not Moore or Connery miss this subtle point. Connery and Moore played Bond after he "made it." Craig is bringing Bond into the game.
Most of the Bond formula is here... the pre-titles set-piece, the villains (but more realistic and understandable than the world-conquering maniacs so prevalent in the Bond films), the explosions, the fights, the puns, the sexy ladies (though stronger and less-eye-candy types), even the intense chase. Although, without giving it away, this Bond film does the standard chase in a new and even more-pulse pounding chase. How can they top the boat chase from "Live and Let Die," the motorcycle chases and car chases, even helicopter chases in the other Bonds. Well, you will have to watch the main story opening (after the credits) to see how they do it, but they do do it- and in the most ironic way compared to the previous great chase scenes.
Some of the Bond formula is missing- the opening sequence has done away with the Binder nude silhouettes and gimmicks, and the opening song ranks just behind "Live and let Die" as the best James Bond theme (at least, for pop/rock standards).
The plot, in line with the book, involves a criminal banker named "LeCiffre" who has been gambling and making dangerous investments with money he is supposed to be safely investing for his crime-lord and terrorist/insurgent investors. After a failed stock gambit, LeCiffre must raise $105 million dollars quickly or face being rubbed out by his investors. He plans to do so through a high-stakes poker match. Bond is sent in to pit his wits at cards against leChiffre. The plan being to bankrupt LeChiffre and force him to seek protection from the "good guys" in exchange for his knowledge of his clients. Bond is aided by an agent from the Treasury, Vesper Lynd and Agent Rene Mathis (both also appear in the book). However, plot within plot and betrayals find Bond in the middle of bigger machinations by a secret criminal organization.
To the critics who somehow find fault with this film... forget Connery and Brosnan for now- let Craig do the character this way. This is not the suave and sophisticated, clever and know-it-all Bond you may be used to... this is the Bond still learning, and the movie is fantastic.