The “James Bond” franchise has seen many changes over the years; a testament to this fact is the passing of Bond actor Roger Moore, announced just today. After a long stretch of Pierce Brosnan Bond movies, it was fitting that the franchise was relaunched in 2006 with this, “Casino Royale,” starring British actor Daniel Craig as James Bond. Director Martin Campbell would show us some familiar players (such as Judi Dench, reprising her role as ‘M’ from the Brosnan films), but would introduce us to a new Bond – one with the same wits and debonair persona, but with just enough pain lurking beneath the surface to make him feel real.
“Casino Royale” is detailed as Bond’s first mission as a 00. Following a mishap with a bombmaker, 007 is sent to Montenegro to infiltrate a high stakes poker game in an attempt to flush out a money launderer named Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen) that has been involved in weapons dealing and terrorism. Along the way he is hooked up with two allies – a beautiful accountant named Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) and an unscrupulous spy named Mathis (Giancarlo Giannini).
What works about “Casino Royale” is that it effectively resets the Bond legend without trampling on any of the excitement or history the franchise has set up over the years. There’s no ‘Q’ this time around, but in this introduction to a new Bond, is unnecessary. And the film’s beginning is wrought with the right stuff with a high-octane opener featuring such exploits as Bond chasing a criminal through a perilous construction site and shooting up an embassy. M’s irritated retort is apt, and sets up a tempestuous relationship between her and Bond throughout: “Go and stick your head in the sand somewhere and think about your future. Because these bastards want your head – and I’m seriously considering feeding you to them.”
Cinematically, the film is pleasing, and spares no expense at introducing us to flashy suits, lush locales, and fancy cars. “Casino Royale” boasts an impressive 61 filming locations, covering such areas as Lombardia, Italy, to the Former Kaiserbad Spa, Karlovy Vary, in the Czech Republic which was used as the exterior of the hotel where a majority of the film takes place. The film’s settings are worked wonderfully into the movie’s sequences, such as a car chase that takes place among winding roads, or the film’s suspenseful ending that follows Bond through St. Mark’s Square in Venice. The film’s rich style is further exposed from the various wardrobes Bond and company wear, and the lighthearted way Bond scoffs at them. “Rolex?” one character inquires of his expensive watch. “Omega,” Bond responds (Interestingly, Omega features a James Bond style watch on their website).
The highlight of “Casino Royale” is the acting of Daniel Craig, who gives Bond a pulse. Whereas previous actors who filled his shoes nailed the charm and charisma that is Bond, they never gave him a motivation, or bared what in any manner could be considered a soul. Craig gives this to us on multiple occasions, showing us the fun Bond can have, but also the pain. The physical pain is obvious (especially during a nasty torture sequence), but the emotional layer “Royale” gives us is deeper than we’ve seen before. Sure, a Bond that doesn’t care is fun and interesting to watch. But a Bond that does care, but chooses instead – by the end of the film – to check his emotions…this is more interesting still. Craig balances the bravado and emotion of Bond (an act he would perfect in the excellent “Skyfall”), giving us a fresh new take on the character.
Additional players all perform well. Dench, who is a great actress in her own right, puts in another solid performance as M (we saw her first in this role in the Brosnan films), and seems to have terrific chemistry with Craig. In a small role, Giannini does a good job as Mathis; his scenes are pleasing and rightly sardonic.
The most screen time is given to Green and Mikkelsen respectfully, and both use the material and script well. As a love interest for Bond, Green is a more powerful female lead than the series is used to, and makes her character interesting and real. And as the villain, Mikkelsen is effective. In a shift from convention, Le Chiffre has an odd trait (an eye that cries blood tears), but nothing as elaborate as feeling no pain (“The World is Not Enough”) or a mouth full of metal (“The Spy Who Loved Me”). He also seems to have purpose, and follows suit with having chemistry with Craig throughout.
All in all, “Casino Royale” is a good entry into the franchise, and relaunches the Bond saga with ease. While meandering at times and slightly overlong (at 2 hours, 24 minutes), the film should please both lovers of the Bond of old and those new to the franchise.
