Casino Royale (2006)
Thursday, 16 Nov, 2006 07:40:06 PM
Extra Details: IMDB
Movie Mad Review:
James Bond's first mission, where he must stop a banker from winning a casino tournament and using the prize money to fund terrorist activities.
Casino Royale introduces James Bond before he holds his license to kill.
But Bond is no less dangerous, and with two professional assassinations in quick succession, he is elevated to '00' status.
Bond's first 007 mission takes him to Madagascar where he is to spy on a terrorist, Mollaka. Not everything goes to plan and Bond decides to investigate, independently of MI6, in order to track down the rest of the terrorist cell.
Following a lead to the Bahamas, he encounters Dimitrios and his girlfriend, Solange.
He learns that Dimitrios is involved with Le Chiffre, banker to the world's terrorist organizations.
Secret Service intelligence reveals that Le Chiffre is planning to raise money in a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro at Le Casino Royale.
MI6 assigns 007 to play against him, knowing that if Le Chiffre loses, it will destroy his organization.
'M' places Bond under the watchful eye of the beguiling Vesper Lynd. At first skeptical of what value Vesper can provide, Bond's interest in her deepens as they brave danger together and even torture at the hands of Le Chiffre.
In Montenegro, Bond allies himself with Mathis MI6's local field agent, and Felix Leiter who is representing the interests of the CIA. The marathon game proceeds with dirty tricks and violence, raising the stakes beyond blood money and reaching a terrifying climax.
Though it doesn't care too much about the series' continuity (it's supposed to be Bond's first mission as a 00 agent, but it takes place after the Cold war and Judi Dench is already M), "Casino Royale" is a great re-creation of the series.
Cool action, great thrills and a more humane Bond more than make up for the purported lack of gadgets.
Daniel Craig plays Bond as a rough agent who only gradually acquires the class and cold demeanor we all know and love.
Bond is portrayed as a man with flaws and weaknesses, which makes him look even stronger.
The story is not your usual Bond plot and relies more on classical thrills than technology, though the action is extremely hard-boiled.
Kudos to the creepy Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre and Eva Green as Vesper Lynd for creating remarkably believable characters.
A definite must-see for Bond fans, however some will be very disappointed.
The very frequent wise crack's are gone but for the very rare one maybe! There is no `Q' or `Miss Moneypenny', there are no gadgets apart from the x-ray machine.
But in return we are given a cold-hearted assassin, a ruthless ladies man (Who will Fuck and Chuck) if you excuse my term, and close contact violence.
It had to change and it has, its very `Bourne Supremacy', its not family viewing and Daniel Craig is very very good.
I just felt the story was very dragged out, and what started excellently and kept going very well, huffed and puffed towards the end.
But I loved it just the same, and cannot wait for the next installment of our favourite spy, watch it some will love it and some will hate it!
Worth Watching ?
Definately worth watching, but don't expect too much!
Worth Owning on DVD ?
I cannot wait for the DVD, Bond Dvds are always good!
Our Rating:
4 out of 5.
