Finest Bond since the 60s? Oh yes!

Rating: 10/10 (16 November 2006)

I was nervous in the two weeks building up to this latest installment, mainly due to the fact Bond was now blonde haired, blue eyed and comparably smaller than any of the others. But, after watching Casino Royale, Daniel Craig has redefined what it takes to play James Bond. No longer does the actor need to make a funny remark or think up a quirky pun every time a villain dies, no, instead, Daniel has transformed Bond into a darker, colder, almost robot-like being.
Which of course is perfect for the movie.
From the first moment you lay your eyes on Daniel, you feel a sense of change, "this isn't going to be your average Bond movie" comes into your mind. Out goes a lot of the CGI from Die Another Day and back is the stylish, real-life shots that were so apparent in the 1960's, the film is shot brilliantly, intense yet slow enough to keep up to date on what is actually taking place. The settings are as you'd expect, luxurious, beautiful, tranquil and any other descriptions that come under "Rich Man's World".
It's not only Daniel Craig who puts in a sterling performance, for me Eva Green almost steals the whole show. She's a breath of fresh air from the previous Bond girls, gone is the macho "I can shoot a gun and kick some ass" girl and instead comes in a insecure yet head turning woman. I hope she's up for a Best Actress award or two, she certainly gets my vote! So in all, Casino Royale takes the franchise back to it's roots, the 60's feel grabs you by the neck and never lets go but you still get a modern sense of things, the cars and the gadgets are still there. Daniel Craig has most probably won a lot more fans after this performance and long may he continue as 007!