Today’s quick review: Casino Royale. Newly granted his license to kill, British superspy James Bond (Daniel Craig) undertakes a dangerous mission to hunt down the terrorist financier known only as Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen). His globe-trotting mission eventually takes him to the lavish Casino Royale, where Le Chiffre is participating in a high-stakes poker tournament. M (Judi Dench), Bond’s superior in MI-6, comes up with a plan to force Le Chiffre to defect: have Bond beat him in the poker tournament, win away his millions, and offer him asylum when his wealthy investors come after him for gambling away his money. Aiding Bond in this endeavor is the enigmatic Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), a fiery agent who catches Bond’s eye. But Le Chiffre is a fearsome gambler, and not everything is as it seems at Casino Royale.
Casino Royale is a tightly constructed spy thriller and the first film in the rebooted Bond franchise. Daniel Craig slips effortlessly into the role of James Bond as the latest incarnation of the character. This Bond is near the beginning of his career as a double-oh agent. Detached, ruthless, and headstrong, he shows himself to be a highly effective agent who causes problems for MI-6 when his gambits fail. Craig’s Bond shares the steely confidence of previous Bonds, but only a glimmer of the humor. The tone as a whole is much more serious than any previous Bond film, and the elaborate schemes and exotic locations of the spy genre are balanced by a grimmer Bond and more visceral action.
Fans of classic Bond may rightly complain about the tone, but those who don’t mind the shift will be treated to one of the best spy movies of recent years and a strong start to the new direction of the franchise. Casino Royale has a plot that moves quickly, hangs together well, and seamlessly integrates all the action, travel, and poker one could ask for in a spy movie. Craig’s Bond is a powerful character, capable of handling any situation he is thrown into but restless and headstrong. His wry quips show the classic Bond charm, even if the tone is darker, and he is a delight to watch in action.
Casino Royale is a satisfying film that delivers exactly what it promises: plenty of action, a well-executed spy plot, and a strong new vision for James Bond. Not only is it a very good film in its own right, but it is the start of an era of Bond that has lived up to the potential shown in Casino Royale. Casino Royale is a strong choice for any fan of action movies, the spy genre, or spy thriller plots. Sensitive viewers may be turned off by the higher level of violence than previous Bond films, but those who don’t mind a bit of violence and the exchange of humor for tension will be in for a treat.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 for great execution of a strong vision, innovative use of action, and one of the best chase scenes in movie history.