Casino Royale (2006)
Daniel Craig's introduction to the role of James Bond and what an introduction it is. Directed by Martin Campbell who also directed Goldeneye, Pierce Brosnan's debut as Bond, Casino Royale is as thrilling as movies come.
From the breathless free running chase through Madagascar's docklands to the equally breathless poker game with the bloody teared Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), Campbell keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat throughout.
Craig himself is brilliant, bringing a grittiness, removing much of the refinement of earlier Bonds, and in true Fleming style made him a ruthless killing machine, yet also giving him a more human aspect especially his relationship with Vesper Lynd (Eva Green).
It's not quite a perfect film. For a start it's perhaps ten or fifteen minutes too long and Le Chiffre who was a very good villain is disposed of by unseen assailants off screen which was ridiculous. There's also a lack of Monty Norman's classic Bond theme in the film (Again Goldeneye was the same so maybe it's a Martin Campbell thing). However it does sport my favourite Bond song. The fantastic You Know My Name by the much missed Chris Cornell and takes it's musical cues from this so i'll not say too much.
Casino Royale seen fifteen years on from release remains fresh and the series revitalized. It's status as a top three James Bond film never deteriorating. Such a pity what was to come would be such a let down.
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