Casino Royale takes the character back to its roots. It is based on the original James Bond novel by creator Ian Fleming, and is the first to be based on a Fleming original since The Living Daylights in 1987. It is also the last Fleming story to be produced by EON Productions and entered into the official Bond film series. It has previosuly been made for television in 1954 and as a spoof with Peter Sellers and Woody Allen in 1967.
The story follows Bond and his newly acquired Licence to Kill. He is considered a loose cannon with a sizable ego and a short life expectancy. No sooner does he have his Double O status that he is involved in a chase with a bomb maker causing much destruction, and ending with the apparent killing of an unarmed man. This more than cements the opinions of M for her new charge. He refuses to let the trail go and heads off to the Bahamas where he enters a high stakes poker game with Le Chiffre, accountant to the world's terrorists.
While there is a palpable sense of emotion, there is no lack of action and suspense. The film gets off to a great start with a gritty black and white sequence chronicling how Bond earned his Os. Then, following a very good title sequence and mediocre song (sung by Chris Cornell), we are off to a long and thrilling foot chase between Bond and a young bomb maker. The chase is reminiscent of that at the start of District B13, using the same style of "Free Running" that was used there. It is an thrilling chase through the streets, up cranes, around buildings, and whatever else gets in their way. This combines with car chases and more hand to hand combat to create an action packed film. In addition to the action, there is the suspense of the poker table (Baccarat in the original novel, most likely changed to fall in line with the current popularity of poker). Then there is the romantic tension between Bond and the lovely Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), a Bond girl with brains who seems to be a match for our womanizer.
Martin Campbell has delivered quite possibly the best film of his career. This is a film that does for Bond what Batman Begins did for the Dark Knight. This opens up a whole new world for the superspy. This is one of the best action films of the year, a film that follows the formula yet transcends the elements providing a depth that has not been seen in decades of Bond films.
Bottomline. This is the Bond that I have been waiting for, sure I enjoyed the last few, but this one approaches greatness as opposed to merely being a "good Bond film." Great cast, smart script, and high action, what more could you ask for?
Highly recommended.
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