A Brutal Bond

Rating: 9/10 (24 December 2006)

Director: Martin Campbell Duration: 144 minutes
While I have watched a number of James Bond films over the years I have never been what you could call a big fan of the industry. Of course I enjoyed the films, but as time went on they seemed to recycle the same set of ideas with their overly corny and cheesy dialogue. However, being James Bond films most viewers were probably there in the theaters to watch massive action scenes, explosions, and the new Bond girl. What this led to was a stream of amusing but ultimately sterile and formulaic films. However the new Bond film promised to be something different something that would break the mold for the standard Bond film. Therefore, when my girlfriend suggested that we go see the new Bond film, I was quite curious to see how Casino Royale measured up in comparison to the Bond films of the past. I must say that it surpasses not only most of the Bond films that I have watched but that it also surpasses most of the action films that I have seen as well.
Casino Royale opens with a scene that precedes Bond's gaining 00 status and in this scene the viewer learns that before an agent can gain 00 status one must have two confirmed kills. Soon before making his second kill, the viewer is treated to a flashback scene in which Bond kills his first man. Unlike other Bond films in which the enemy might be blown up or shot, this enemy is drowned by having his face submerged in a sink. This scene is quite well done and it shows a different type of Bond than the ones portrayed by Sean Connery or Pierce Brosnan: this one has flaws. Bond appears visibly shaken by killing his enemy and through the manner of the enemy's death a more brutal aspect is introduced to the Bond film industry and the impersonality of death by projectile weapons is replaced by a more physically aspect of brutal strength. Later in the film Bond strangles one of his enemies in a very intense fight scene. Another flaw that Bond possesses is an over-inflated ego that tends to get in the way of his missions and almost proves quite costly a number of times in the film. I find this flawed Bond to be quite refreshing after seeing the nigh invulnerability of past Bonds. Also, this Bond is the most cold-blooded Bond yet; his second kill is shot in the head with nary a thought, I am quite curious to see how the character as portrayed by Daniel Craig is going to develop over the next few films. If this film is any indication it is going to be quite a treat.
Besides the more brutal aspect of the film, Casino Royale stands out as a truly well-done action film with some very impressive chase scenes and, like all other bond films, some quite interesting villains. Mads Mikkelsen's portrayal of La Chiffre is quite magnificent. Also, of course, the film was made in locations of great natural and manmade beauty so it is quite a delight for the eyes as well.