Casino Royale

I'll admit that I was never a huge James Bond guy. I wasn't even into the series a little bit, but when A great script came to pass with Daniel Craig in the leading role, things changed for me. The picture above may not be quintessential Bond, but it was the opening sequence of this throwback film, and it did one thing very well. It got the audience pumped for what they were in for. It showed James in a way we had not seen. As a gritty spy, ready and willing to get dirty for his mission. He is not the Bond we know. He is new, literally. Casino Royale (with cheese?) goes back to Ian Fleming's first book introducing us to this iconic character who has spawned 23 films. This is one franchise that needed a re-boot, and it got one in high fashion. Here we meet James before he has earned is Double 00 status. It shows how clumsy he is, and he doesn't think ahead. He is so focused on getting his guy, that he doesn't care what gets destroyed in the process. Once he earns his top status, he is put on a mission that will change the world...if he succeeds. If he fails, it very well may be in ruin. Le Chiffre (pronounced leh-sheef) is a bad man. He is a banker for the world's terrorists. He funds their operation with high interest loans, and he is very powerful. When Bond is sent to Montenegro for a high stakes poker game, he is ready to prove himself. He goes into a very bad situation against very bad people, and if he is found out, he will be dead. He must keep up his back story with his fake wife and all that are he will be outed. If Le Chiffre wins the tournament, there will be no stopping him or the global terrorists he funds. When Bond first enters the situation, he knows best. At least the arrogant side of him thinks so. He is always finding himself in situations that could have been avoided, and when he gets cocky at the table and nearly gives Le Chiffre the keys to the world, he realizes he must begin to trust his allies and what he has been advised by other friendlies in his presence. One CIA operative in particular knows how important this game is, and he does not care if he wins or Bond wins, so long as Le Chiffre does not win. It is a very intense film that introduced us to the voluptuous Eva Green. Great action scenes from beginning to end and of the Bond cornerstone Aston Martin is there and BA. Not only does he drive the newest of the new A M, but he wins the classic 1965 edition made famous by Connery's Bond. What a gorgeous piece of metal. Like I said, not a fan...until now. With 2 films under his Bond belt and a third on the way - FINALLY- I now consider myself a real fan, but not of the franchise. I think I am a fan of Daniel Craig as Bond and not much more. He plays tormented really well, and I don't remember any of the other Bonds having to do hat. This is also fitting to write about now being only 2.18 days from Cowboys and Aliens. Especially since it is being tagged as Indy and Bond fight Aliens in the old west. I just made myself wanna watch Casino Royale again. I am amazing.

NBM rates Casino Royale - Phenomenal