This review took a while because I finally got to see this movie over the recent holiday break. This may be just more effective at advising anyone who hasn’t seen it and plans on renting it on DVD, I’m sure the campaign to sell it will be happening right before Easter.
Lately, numerous movie franchises have been damaged by really awful sequels so Hollywood in its infinite wisdom has decided to salvage them by making prequels (Star Wars and Alien v. Predator: those sucked) or “origin” stories (Batman Begins and the rumors surrounding the next Star Trek movie). I was rather skeptical with the latest James Bond movie taking the “origin” route by remaking Casino Royale. Remake? Yes, for some odd reason MGM tried to make a comedy or spoof of their cash cow in 1967. It’s truly awful in so many ways. Thankfully the ongoing caretakers of Bond (producers Broccoli and Wilson) take Fleming’s first novel and rejuvenate the franchise after two rather dull outings from Pierce Brosnan.
Daniel Craig is better suited for the role of an MI6 operative who investigates and assassinates for the Crown. He’s suave while rough looking but more importantly, he’s inconspicuous. I liked Brosnan yet there’s no way he could’ve been effective as 007 since his features were too noticeable, memorable and the villains remember who turns the heads of their girlfriends. Besides, Craig’s portrayal of Bond brings back the tension and edge the movies began to lose as Connery’s stint was ending. This is a Bond who will kill SMERSH, SPECTRE and PDNK operatives brutally, clumsily (he’s not perfect) and remorselessly. And unlike Moore, there won’t be some witty pun afterwards. Craig’s Bond is also more impulsive, takes bigger yet believable risks and deals with the consequences later. Pretty similar to Connery’s Bond I enjoyed in Goldfinger. Sadly, the rejuvenation means there’s no Q department and no appearance of John Cleese. I don’t mind it being stripped down on the gadgets. They were amusing but they were getting used more often to cover up a weak plot. Judi Densch remains as the adversarial M and Jeffery Wright is now Bond’s CIA ally Felix.
The plot? Almost forgot. It’s still loosely based upon the novel. Changes were made to bring the Cold War-era story to 2006. It’s still essentially the same though. Le Chiffre is the main adversary with a penchant for gambling. He is wanted by the West for being an investment banker to various terrorist organizations around the world. As Bond kills and defeats Le Chiffre’s allies or clients do they become aware of each other. This leads to Bond taking on Le Chiffre in the Balkans at a high-stakes tournament of poker…Texas hold ‘em which is one of the modifications I despised. Baccarat is Bond’s game, not poker for morons. I kept expecting play-by-play commentary from Dave Foley or Le Chiffre having to out bluff Michael Ian Black or Penn Jillette. Then again, I can forgive this change since it’s an easier card game to follow than baccarat. The poker tournament is the dramatic climax to the film. If Le Chiffre wins, his clients continue their violent ways and the British government helped pay for it.
Overall, I highly recommend this movie. It’s worth seeing in a theater with a great sound system. Bond movies are in the Event Movies categories. They’re just not as enjoyable on television unless you have a fantastic home theater system. The action is solid. The acting is credible. Chris (Soundgarden, Audioslave) Cornell’s theme song is the best one in 20 years. It does run a little too long, ruining part of the story; you’ll know when you see it. I was also surprised by the change in the opening credits of the silhouettes of nude women jumping around are gone. That was a trademark of Bond movies I always remembered since The Spy Who Loved Me. With the franchise back on track through this movie, I am looking forward to what Mr. Bond’s 22nd adventure will be and hoping that it won’t be followed by another tepid Die Another Day-like episode.