Casino Royale (2006)

Directed by: Martin Campbell | 145 minutes | action, thriller, adventure | Actors: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Simon Abkarian, Giancarlo Giannini, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright, Caterina Murino, Tobias Menzies, Ivana Milicevic, Clemens Schick, Jesper Christensen, Claudio Santamaria, Isaach De Bankolé, Emmanuel Avena

Dazzling locations around the world, ripping Aston Martins, very expensive suits, beautiful women and sarcastic one-liners. They have since become elementary parts of the James Bond films. Likewise in ‘Casino Royale’. At least, approx. What this new Bond film is really about is James Bond himself. Because let’s be honest: the ugly hit man from ‘Road to Perdition’ (2002) doesn’t have his head with him. And besides, how serious is a James Bond who doesn’t give a damn if his vodka martini is shaken or stirred?

Clearly enough, director Martin Campbell seems to be taking a slightly different path with ‘Casino Royale’ than we are used to from his predecessors. Rather than clinging too much to the fairly traditional nature of the films, Campbell has devoted a lot of attention to ways of adding something to his scenes through camerawork and editing. No wonder the opening scene in Madagascar is a bit like ‘Mission: Impossible’. After a mysterious, black-and-white intro and stunning, colorful opening titles, there is a chase on foot that leads James in no time via cranes and construction sites to a hostage situation in an embassy. The tone is set.

Of course, ‘Casino Royale’ won’t be the Bond film with the most original plot. The whole movie basically revolves around a single poker game masterfully divided into several chapters. Bond must make sure that Le Chiffre, who provides the money for terrorist groups, loses the tournament. Because Le Chiffre doesn’t play with his own money, it will become clear who he is financing, and Bond can roll up the entire network. Doesn’t sound all that exciting. Fortunately, the scenes at the poker table are interspersed with hard-hitting action in and around the hotel, which is crammed with Matrix-like hand-to-hand combat. The contrast between these two images provides the subtle and sarcastic undertone that we are used to from the Bond films.

In that respect, Daniel Craig has definitely achieved something as James Bond, namely giving his own ‘touch’ to one of the most famous film characters of all time. Because the new James is not a copy of Sean Connery, Roger Moore or Pierce Brosnan. The new James is Daniel Craig, with his own cheeky character and perhaps a hidden nod to his predecessors. And that’s exactly what this new Bond film needed. New elements. Because we’ve seen the gadgets, the bad guys with insane ideas that will destroy the world and the many women James shares the bed with. And that blond head, well, we’ll just have to put it into the bargain!