My Take on the Movies - Casino Royale - Review

I was a huge “.007” fan back in the early days. Thanks to Casino Royale, I am a fan all over again. This 2006 film stars Daniel Craig (Munich - 2005) as Bond… James Bond (sometimes affectionately referred to as “James Blond”). It is directed by Martin Campbell, director of earlier Bond film GoldenEye (1995). The Ian Fleming novel is adapted for the screen by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (The World is Not Enough - 1999 and Die Another Day - 2002), along with Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby - 2004).

Sean Connery and Roger Moore are the familiar faces of Bond; Daniel Craig must be given his props as the new face of Bond. The controversy over the selection of a light-haired actor in the title role can be put to rest. Craig possesses exactly the cold-blooded stare, rugged features, and some-what dark demeanor required for the 21st century version of the role. We won’t even mention that he has a body to die for — literally.

The action sequences in this latest Bond film are right on the money. One secretly roots for Bond even as he outwits and takes out an entire security force at the Nambutu Embassy in Uganda, though outgunned and outmanned. Fabulously expensive and perilously swift sports cars are a huge attraction, as always. The trademark beautiful women are back, along with the “bad boy” behavior that is part and parcel of the early Bond films. The new theme song for this film, “You Know My Name,” is performed by Chris Cornell, and the sound is right on time! Naturally, the main Bond theme is performed with excellence.