Bond Begins

Rating: 8/10 (23 November 2006)

First things first, Craig makes a fantastic Bond  easily the best since Sean Connery; perhaps even better (but we'll have to wait for Bond 22 for that). He brings an intense quality to the character; anger, passion and determination all burning in his Paul Newman-blue eyes. Craig plays Bond with humanity and vulnerability  but that doesn't mean he's a wimp. Due to a testing gym routine Craig certainly looks like he can do the stunts, and does most of them in the fantastic action sequences.
The classic Bond elements are present; even if Casino Royale is the Batman Begins of the series (rumour has it the next film features a villain with green hair). Luxurious locations include Madagascar, the Bahamas, Montenegro and Venice; the quintessential Bond-vehicle of the Aston Martin appears in two different models; the girls; and the Vodka Martini (although he's not quite ready to value the subtle difference between shaken and stirred) all appear. However, in keeping with the more serious darker  perhaps even noir  tone, Q and Moneypenny have been stripped away. It certainly works with the film, but its possible Bond-fans may be yearning for their return  perhaps with less sci-fi elements (invisible cars anyone?) and less tired innuendos (let's not even go there).
Does the shift in direction work? Yes and a resounding one at that. The series was in dire need of a rethink in a post The Bourne Identity/Supremacy and 24 world, and the influence is clearly present. The punches sound beefy; Bond bruises and bleeds frequently; the killing is brutal  his first takes place in a grimy toilet and is shot in monochrome, stripping any ounce of style away.
Campbell does an even better job with the pre-credits sequence than Goldeneye. His fantastic direction provide a tense opening, the black and white tying together perfectly with claustrophobic camera angles to provide a heavily noir-influenced sequence  completed with Bond hiding in shadow, leaning forward to show his face only as he seals his 00 status with a swift, silent bullet. Campbell's sense for action remains in excellent form as well. He turns a potentially gimmicky parkour sequence across a building site into a heart-stopping chase across cranes, rooftops and eventually through a troop-filled embassy. In all of the action set pieces whip-pans, tracking shots and quick editing infuse an urgent pace, and transport the audience into the visceral thrill of the action. Campbell's greatest achievement though is the central game of Texas Hold 'Em. It conveys the tension incredibly well  and it does well to stay entirely understandable to non-card-players.
Eva Green does a great job as Vesper, making her strong and fiercely intelligent. Her relationship with Bond has genuine romance, and she makes sure she is not just a conquest  Bond states his love of her quite openly. Judi Dench reprises her role as M in style as always, and Mads Mikkelsen does a sturdy  if not outstanding  job as Bond's antagonist. They pale in comparison to Craig's Bond, his presence on the screen incredibly dominating. Indeed, during the torture scene (straying the film dangerously close to 15 territory) Bond comes out most powerfully: despite being naked and having his testicles beaten with a length of knotted rope, repeatedly.
Casino Royale reboots Bond into excellent form, any anachronistic elements are unimportant. Craig defiantly answers his critics with an exceptional performance that should silence any cries of 'too Blond for Bond!'. Bond 22 is due in May 2008 and, if this form continues, the credits announcing 'James Bond will return.' will be very welcome indeed.