2 Dollar Productions

Ever since Daniel Craig was cast as James Bond there has been a vocal contingent of fans denigrating everything from his blond locks to his rumored inability to properly operate a stick shift Ashton Martin.

But the Bond franchise desperately needed a new direction that focused on the character as the last few Pierce Brosnan vehicles were loaded with so many implausible and almost insulting FX shots that it was impossible to form any kind of attachment to the story or the characters operating inside of it.


Craig proves his mettle in "Casino Royale," which traces how James Bond got his license to kill as well as his inherent distrust of women outside the realm of a pleasureable romp in bedroom.


Following a reliably cool opening credits sequence, the movie wastes no time in throwing Craig into the action as he chases a wanted bomb-maker onto a construction site that finds the pair fighting and running and jumping all over some extremely high scaffolding, which ultimately concludes with the pair causing enough destruction to push the project behind by several months.

Unfortunately, this scene is the finest action sequence in the movie.

Despite the damage that 007 endures during this chase, the script is what really injures the newest Bond the most. The plot is loose and meandering and has something vaguely to do with terrorists (the Cold War is over and Bond movies are NOT better for it).

With no driving force to propel things along, director Martin Campbell, who also directed Brosnan in "Goldeneye," has problems with pacing and the middle of the film is bogged down in an exhaustive casino scene.


Gambling is an important element in many Bond films. The key to success, however, is tension and timing, which this film forgets. For one vast stretch we felt like we were watching the "Word Series of Poker" on ESPN when all we really wanted was to move the story along to somewhere else.

But every time the movie began sliding downhill, "Casino Royale" righted itself through a combination of sheer desire to break ranks with its predecessors, attitude, and blood.

Craig bleeds more in this film than all the other Bonds combined. Unlike Brosan, Dalton, Moore, Lazenby or Connery, he is pummelled, shot with a nail gun, sliced, diced and has his manhood literally crushed in a torture scene that is more unnerving than anything seen in "Hostel."

Most Bond traditionalists are not used to seeing their favorite secret agent so roughed up, but this is a different film and a new chapter for the man who "women want and men want to be."

No exchange makes those differences more apparent than when Craig orders his martini.

Bartender: "Would you like your martini shaken or stirred."

Bond: "Do I look like I give a damn?"

No he doesn't, and the "Casino Royale" is better for it as Craig puts the movie on his back during the times when he's not returning the favor with Eva Green or Caterina Murino.


Both women play Bond Girls, but Green takes center stage. She handles herself capably as she and Craig display some solid chemistry together.

And although Judi Dench doesn't qualify for this category, it's nice to see her merely busting balls and chewing scenery versus trolling for Oscars.

Bond movies can be counted on for exotic locales, gorgeous women and action. "Casino Royale" doesn't diasppoint in any of those areas, and much like "Batman Returns" last year, the new incarnation has breathed life into a franchise that had gone stale.

Craig puts to rest any concerns that he can handle his 007 status, however, we only hope that the next Bond movie provides him with a plot capable of matching his talents.

- BDS & JWS