Casino Royale, a major departure from the flamboyant Die Another Day, marks a significant step-up in the James Bond series. Daniel Craig takes on the role of Bond, replacing Pierce Brosnan, and brings with him a fresh perspective to the franchise. Gone are the campy gadgets, silly naked women silhouettes in the opening credits, world-dominating super-colossus villains, and Miss Funnyfanny (or whatever). The film strips away the unnecessary elements that date the Bond films quickly.

The result is an international espionage thriller that looks at spying in a more mundane and realistic manner. At 145 minutes, it's the longest Bond movie so far, but it breezes by despite reining in on the normally excessive action scenes. For once, the action sequences are not just gratuitous explosions and chases; instead, they're carefully crafted to serve the story.

One thing that bugs me about action movies, particularly the Bond franchise, is that they often cater to childish male fantasies with an indestructible hero who has fun shooting up the place and bedding beautiful women. While Casino Royale does have its share of Bond's typical bravado, it also shows him getting hurt and going through more pain than he has previously.

Daniel Craig's performance as Bond is impressive. He brings a level of intensity and vulnerability to the role that was lacking in Brosnan's portrayal. His youth and physicality give him an edge over his predecessors, and he's surprisingly loose in a role that usually requires actors to be stiff and unemotional.

The decision to axe composer David Arnold, whose score I never liked, and other regular production team members like Vic Armstrong, is also welcome. It's as if the film's creators wanted to start fresh with a new face, including Bond himself.

Unfortunately, all the goodwill earned by director Martin Campbell was undone by the follow-up Quantum of Solace, which is not only one of the worst Bond films but also one of the worst action films and movies overall that I have ever seen. If Craig and Co. ever get around to making another, they've got a LOT to make up for.

CuriosityKilledShawnNov 17, 2006

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