When it was announced in October 2005 that Daniel Craig would be the newest James Bond, many series fans blew a gasket. There was a myriad of complaints, ranging from a criticism of his blond hair to insults that would be more at home on a playground or a political discussion than with a discussion about film. The truth is that no matter who was chosen, there would have been a firestorm of complaints, thanks to the ability to anonymously trash our financial betters that the Internet has bestowed upon the world.
But I’ve just seen the 21st Bond film, Casino Royale, and am pleased to report that those who complained will have to choke on their own websites. Craig does a dynamite job as the revered British superspy, living up to the standard set long ago by Sean Connery while putting his own unique spin on the character. Each star had his own niche, from Connery’s macho unflappability to Pierce Brosnan’s ice-cold lethality, and Craig is no exception.
He portrays a significantly more predatory killer that nonetheless carrier a glimmer of regret in his intelligent eyes. The most valid complaint about Craig could be that he looks so much like an assassin that someone looking for an assassin would have an easier time spotting him, but then again, I’m extremely doubtful that 99.999% of the film's viewers will have even small amounts of real life spy or assassin experience.
Casino Royale opens as Bond acquires the two kills needed for his Double-O status. Right away we can tell that Bond may have finally caught up to our world as he brutally beats an enemy informant to death in a restroom. The hands-on tone of the violence is carried throughout the film, with one of the most interesting moments being his solitary, brooding clean up after a deadly fight. Where the Bonds of yesteryear can wash the blood off their hands, this version finds that a much more difficult task, despite his efforts to approach death with dispassion. Unlike the old Bonds, he can be shaken and stirred by the world around him.
The real issue that fans should debate isn’t Craig’s performance, but Bond’s. Here, he seems to carry a vindictive streak, which he never openly acknowledges but notably passes up the chance to deny. In one scene, Bond executes an unarmed suspect, presumably to acquire a cell phone, but mostly out of frustration and a thirst for vengeance. The move could be controversial, but I believe it to be correct; modern audiences appear to demand a more serious Bond. In place of Cold War escapism is the mentality of a Western society freshly aware of a new kind of war going on, with men like Bond are on the very blurry front lines. Even as we enjoy the violence, the film doesn't shy away from its effects. This Bond gets bloody and bashed, and more than a little disturbed at what he has gone through, with pain decorating his face during and after every battle.
That I can go this far without mentioning a word of the story says a lot about their importance in these films, but surprisingly Casino Royale has the best one I can recall. Based on Bond creator Ian Fleming’s novel, screenwriters Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and Paul Haggis (the mastermind behind 2005’s Crash) have assembled a plot that exploits both Bond’s skill and freshness to this line of work, with events feeling like logical occurrences rather than tacked on excuses for chase scenes. Through an elaborate chain of events, Bond ends up playing a high-stakes poker game against Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a terrorist financier who cries blood.
Assigned to monitor him is Vesper Lynd, an accountant played by Eva Green. Vesper’s relationship to Bond begins slowly, as he prefers the company of married women, who he finds easy to ditch and more rewarding to conquer. But it is easy to see why Bond falls for her; their brief time together is hideously violent and suspenseful, but they can resonate through a mutual distaste of what has to be done. That, and Green is a woman so breathtakingly beautiful that I couldn’t think of a working screen actress today who could hope to compare, which never hurts in the area of falling in love. Some of their scenes together are the most moving and heart-breaking touching of the 21 films.
Casino Royale marks the second time that director Martin Campbell has re-launched the Bond franchise, as he helmed the awesome Brosnan debut Goldeneye in 1995. He has proven a great choice for this, as both films are full of spectacular action sequences and possess stories that easily put most of the other Bond films to shame. The cinematography is splendid, with a great reverence for the amazing places we want our superspies to go. But the best thing I can say is that while watching Craig perform the role, you need not want for another actor. When we finally hear the trademark line at the film’s close, the shiver down my spine let me know that Bond is back, and just as good as ever.
5 out of 5
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