(written 07/07/09)
“Casino Royale” stars the new James Bond, Daniel Craig as he takes on the Le Chiffre in the latest adaptation of Ian Flemings first ever Novel.
Two and a half years ago, in November 2007, “Casino Royale” hit the box office, after months of expensive advertising campaigns behind it. This was because the director, Martin Campbell, wanted to continue the Bond legacy with as much excitement and outstanding effects as its predecessors, to draw the public in to this ultimate film.
The film starts off in heart-stopping action, in the havoc lifestyle of Uganda, following the death of a terrorist’s informant. It continues from a chase through the dirty streets of a rundown slum to the exquisite islands of the Bahamas, where Bond learns of money troubled banker to the terrorist world, Le Chiffre. His problems stem from a loss in the stock market after the new, biggest in the world, aeroplane, commonly known as the “Sky Fleet” was not destroyed, but in fact was saved by the one and only, 007.
Bond follows his target to the overwhelming mountains of the Montenegrin countryside, where he literally bets his life in a game of poker worth over £150 million, money Bond can’t let get into the hands of the terrorists. Despite many desperate attempts to assassinate him during the game, Bond proves too much for the worried Le Chiffre.
After winning the game, he and his beautiful assistant, Vesper Lynd, are taken and locked in a dark foul room. At the hands of Le Chiffre, Bond is tortured long and painfully into the night, but never did it get even close to the money changing hands.
As time wears on, Bond is still in the same attitude. But mysteriously, a man dressed in black blasts open the door and shoots dead the infamous Le Chiffre, but leaves with no other action.
As the heat dies down, Bond is relaxed living with his partner, Vesper, a resignation to MI6 is sent and James is looking forward to finally having a normal life without someone trying to kill him. Unfortunately for him, Bond’s winnings are to be transferred to MI6. As Vesper does this, Bond smells a rat and catches Vesper red-handed handing over the money to Le Chiffre’s assistant. The deal is taking place as 007 is spotted through some old, weathered pillars of a Venetian square. A straining chase leads to a shootout in an abandoned building. Stray bullets knock down the floats, piece by piece. Vesper, in amongst the action takes the only cover she can find in battered worker’s lift, only to get locked in.
As the final villain falls, Bond rushes to find his betraying love drowning in the bottom of the shaft. Desperate attempts to resuscitate her fail as Bond is left helpless on a collapsed building in the middle of a Venetian summers evening.
Everything you expect of a Bond film is in “Casino Royale.” It has the violence, the gadgets and the “Bond girl.”
This film starts off surrounded by perilous action; this is particularly different form “Live and Let Die,” where not a single gun is spoken of for the first scene. This is some of the ways the films are different; others are the type of gadgets, in particular, his watch. “Live and Let Die,” features a shining Rolex that has been equipped with the most high-tech gadgets of the decade, a super electro-magnet capable of steering a bullet off course for from a long range, whereas, in “Casino Royale,” the watch brand is “Omega.” Unfortunately to the viewers, it has no obvious gadgets nor are any used. In my opinion, this is surprising and disappointing, I believe that Bond uses his unbelievable, exciting gizmos at every available opportunity, which does not.
As the first blond actor to play James Bond, there were mixed emotions of the new film at first, but as the film came in to the public eye, all criticisms were no more as the stunning film was praised by everyone.
The style of acting by Daniel Craig is different to Roger Moore. Roger Moore has a role that has more humour and fun in than Daniel Craig. Craig has a more serious part to play as a determined MI6 agent, who only cracks the occasional joke.
As time passes, actors must be replaced, I think the actors have been chosen well because all of these keep the same old style within the character but all provide unique personalities, making the characters both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.
The villains have changes over the course of the series. As a general rule, the older films star black people, the more recent show them as equal team members. This is because of the prejudiced views of the 1960s. Since then it is common to find villains of all races.
As a whole I think the film is very good; an exciting and enjoyable experience. In my opinion, Daniel Craig works very well as James Bond. As with most actors, he does have his pros and cons, but to the public he is very well suited to the role of 007, and the modern twist of the new affects gives it the edge against other, older Bond films. The lighting and music are well used, especially when the theme is both hot and mysterious.
I would recommend this film to any fan of the series and anyone who is looking for a good, enthralling film.
