Casino Royale - 2006

Casino Royale

Columbia Pictures / Eon Productions - 2006

Directed by Martin Campbell

Cast:

• James Bond – Daniel Craig
• Vesper Lynd – Eva Green
• Le Chifre – Mads Mikkelson
• ”M” - Judith Dench
• Felix Leiter – Jeffrey Wright
• Rene Mathis – Giancarlo Giannini
• Solange – Caterina Murino
• Alex Dimitros – Simon Abkarian
• Mr. White – Jesper Christensen

Story: James Bond is reborn to the uninitiated in Casino Royale, the first mission for the fledgling 007. Bond is in Madagascar with orders to capture and question a terrorist bomber, but ends up killing him after violating an embassy and stripping him of his possessions. The clue “Ellipsis” is found on the bomber's phone, which leads Bond to the sender, a middle man in the Bahamas named Dimitros, whose lovely wife, Solange, falls prey to Bond's charms. The plot weaves intricately as Bond foils a plot to destroy a multimillion dollar aircraft and forces Le Chifre, the errant terrorist banker, to stage a high stakes poker game in the country of Montenegro. Accompanied by Vesper Lynn, Bond plays the game with his usual skill and eventually wins all the money, money owed by Le Chifre to his terrorist investors. In the end, Bond loses Vesper Lynn, but uncovers the man behind the power, Mr. White, who is captured at his retreat.

Review: Now I have to tell you, I have been a fan of Bond for many years, and have kept up on the various actors who have portrayed him. Connery, of course, was the first and one of the best, but I have to admit I am very fond of Daniel Craig in the role. He brings back the rugged, detached Bond made so famous by Connery, without the invulnerability of a super spy. This Bond gets hurt, and I don't mean mussed hair or a mangled manicure. While I do miss the presence of “Q” and the occasional quip of dry English humor, Daniel Craig seems more human and more the modern spy, a sophisticated, focused, and driven individual, the quintessential defender of Great Britain and the empire. Judith Dench is exceptional as the modern “M”, but that is hardly surprising considering the long success of her career. This is a must see for all the lovers of Bond, Borne, and any other mega heroes Hollywood decides to play out for us.