In 2002, the James Bond celebrated its 40th anniversary with financial success, with Die Another Day grossing more than $400 million worldwide. Despite raking in lots of cash, Die Another Day was poorly received by both fans and critics, and brought and end to Pierce Brosnan's over the top, gadget-focused take on Bond. Four years later in 2006, Albert Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson decided to reboot the age old franchise casting unlikely Daniel Craig in the lead role as 007. Despite plenty of backlash, the result turned out to be Casino Royale, which remains one of the best, if not the best film in the franchise.
Set after Bond is just promoted to the rank as 007, Casino Royale finds Craig playing a more gritty and realistic version of the character, more in line with Ian Fleming's original novel. Craig is amazing as Bond and in my book, could be the best Bond ever, if not only second to Sean Connery. Craig manages to convincingly play Bond as a cold, brutal assassin, yet one with heart, brains and plenty of emotion. Craig also excels in his action sequences, particularly a chase in Madasgcar, a fight scene in a bathroom in Prauge and an amazing climax in Venice. He also manages to have excellent timing and line delivery, making what could have been otherwise boring poker scenes exciting.
Another reason the film works is the tightly plotted story and realistic tone. The last Bond film saw Bond using an invisible Aston Martin to stop a scheme involving a space laser and ice palace. This one feels more like an actual espionage tale, making it stand on its own as a genuinely thrilling spy film. Basically, Bond's pursuit of a bomb-maker leads to him stopping a terrorist attack in Miami, which causes terrorist Le Chiffre to set up a poker game at Casino Royale in Montenegro where Bond heads to win the money, which lead him to MI6. There is also a subplot involving an organization known as Quantum, which leads to the film's 2008 sequel Quantum of Solace, but more on that later.
Casino Royale is also aided by its strong supporting cast, something unusual for a Bond film. Eva Green is fantastic and gives a heartfelt and sexy performance as Vesper Lynd, a treasury officer who Bond falls for, leading to a love story that feels genuine and carries the film. We actually care for Lynd as she is a real character and not someone who is just there to look pretty. Judi Dench is also brilliant as M, the head of MI6 and Bond's boss who clashes with Bond over his reckless actions. The witty dialogue between Bond and M gives them a mother and son like relationship that works and carries the film. Casino Royale doesn't feature Bond allies such as Q or Moneypenny, but has the return of Bond's CIA contact and friend Felix Leiter played by Jeffrey Wright. Wright's performance as Leiter is strong, he is stylish and calm as Leiter and from what we get of him, he seems to be an equal in terms of coolness to Bond, not just a foil like in some of the previous films. Giancarlo Giannini is also solid as Bond and Vesper's contact Mathis. Mads Mikkelson is solid and gives what he can as Le Chiffre. The character is rather forgettable as a whole, but Mikkelson does his best and gives a villain that seems actually threatening, especially in a brutal torture scene with Craig's Bond.
Casino Royale is also aided by some strong work behind the camera as well. Martin Campbell doesn't have the best filmography (Green Lantern, Edge of Darkness) but he is perfect for a Bond film, having already brought back the character in 1995 with GoldenEye. Campbell's direction is brutal and breathless and he knows how to film some excellent action sequences, yet can also manage the film's more quiet moments including Bond's growing love for Vesper. Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have had a mixed bag with their previous Bond scripts, but they are aided by Academy Award winner Paul Haggis to write an intelligent, exciting and witty screenplay. Soundgarden frontman and American rock singer Chris Cornell also has a strong theme song titled "You Know My Name". It is a different song, but it perfectly fits with Craig's modern take on the character and nicely suits the stylish opening sequences.
Overall, Casino Royale is an amazing and exciting film and possibly the best Bond film of all time. Craig is fantastic as James Bond and the supporting cast is solid as well. Martin Campbell provides great direction backed up with Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Paul Haggis' strong screenplay. The film was released to much hesisitation in November 2006 but obviously being a Bond film opened weaker than other entries, but still to a solid $40 million. However, like another recent amazing reboot (Batman Begins, OW $48 million, total $205 million), word of mouth propelled Casino Royale to a strong $167 million, a franchise best at the time. In 2006, critics and audiences both agreed - Bond was back and better than ever.
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