Casino Royale

All those other Bond movies? They're like spoofs of the spy genre, with a plastic, perfect hero at the center. This movie? A human Bond. Still egocentric, to be sure, but someone you can empathize with. And in large part because of it, one-quarter of the way through I knew it was going to be the best spy thriller I'd ever seen. For all of you who have judged that a blond Bond will have Ian Fleming rolling in his grave, I strongly urge you to reconsider. Not only is Daniel Craig as good a Bond as Sean Connery (yes, you read that right), his colleagues almost give him a run for his money: Caterina Murino can fill a dress like no one else, plus she has to temerity to be a good actress; Eva Green is a match in every way to Bond's sarcasm, wit and ego; Mads Mikkelsen is a villain who does not overplay every scene (thank the gods); and Judi Dench is the icing on the cake. Above all that, the writing deserves an Oscar. I'm completely serious. You thought the era of double entendres went out when the film code came in? Each and every spark-infused conversation between Craig and Green places this film up there with the best of the Cary Grant and Clark Gable dramatic oeuvre. You want more? An opening stunt guaranteed to elicit gasps from the most jaded film viewers. Cinematography that goes the distance-- even in the stunt scenes where most directors are content to assume the audience will only be watching the action. And an opening title sequence that finally lays to rest the ultra-non-feminist opening titles of the past. If you've read the book, I will warn you that the torture scene is re-enacted. This might give some folks pause (and with good reason, although you see nothing). If you're willing to close your eyes for that part, the rest is-- well, it's obvious it's worth it, no? The only downside is that with such a successful re-imagining of the franchise, I fear the Broccoli family has an Atlantean task ahead of them for Bond #22.

year: 2006
length: 144 min.
rating; 4.0
IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381061/combined