Movie Review: Casino Royale

What is the sort of things that come to mind for a Bond Movie? I think of Roger Moore never taking his suit off during action scenes, villains that are stranger looking than menacing, crazy gadgets, and many Bond actors come and go. I also think how the Bond character is not a real multi-dimensional character. Well, Casino Royale is different. Daniel Craig gives us a new look for an older character. He is athletic and rough around the edges, he sweats, feels pain, and loves. We see how he first started in the business as he gets his double-O status. By the end of the film, we begin to see the cool, calculated spy machine that we know so well. He is hard-core right from the start, but we sense it is not his training but his personality that in large part brings him to this level. There are gadgets in this film but they are useful not as destructive tools for Bond’s enemies, but to save his own life. The fast cars are here, great locations, and a Bond woman who gives James a run for his money. It will be interesting to see what happens after this film. Will Daniel Craig and the writers still give him different reactions or move back into the gadgets and babes? The action scenes are good and the movie seemed well-paced. This is a good (not great) movie for those Bond and non-Bond fans to enjoy.

--Bryan