Casino Royale review

Title: Casino Royale
Release Date: 2006
Director: Martin Campbell
Cast: Daniel Craig
         Eva Green
         Mads Mikkelsen
         Judi Dench
Certificate: 12A/15 (different rating on the later blu ray release despite no difference to film)
Run time: 144 minutes

2006's Casino Royale not only saw the first time Daniel Craig (who is possibly the best Bond so far), took the lead role as 007, but also saw the whole Bond franchise rebooted and gave the audience the chance to see the beginnings of 007.

Let's just get the verdict out of the way: I love everything about this film, from the acting and action, to the choice in Bond song (Chris Cornell's "You Know My Name" is still a particular favourite of mine). this not only saw a more grounded and realistic Bond, but we also got a film that, tonally, could be taken seriously and not rely on OTT gadgets and megalomaniacal villains to entertain the audience.

From the opening scene we know that this Bond is different; a more rugged, rough and relentless Bond. the sort that cares more about getting the job done than ruining his suit (though his sense of style is still completely apparent throughout). Shot in black and white, we see Bond's first two kills as an agent; one in a heated brawl in a public toilet, and the other a more intimate affair (a frequent hobby of Bond's), taking one shot, killing his target.

I'd easily say that the best, and probably most famous scene in this film comes not long after the opening credits (which are marvellous by the way) in which Bond chases a bomb maker through Madagascar and into an embassy, showing off exactly how rugged this Bond really is. Whilst his target is showing off some incredibly impressive free running skills, Bond finds more ease in literally running through walls and clambering his way up walls as opposed to the swift actions of the person being chased.

I think the true beauty of this as a Bond film lies in its simplicity; a large portion of the film lies around a singular poker tournament at the titular casino, and it is absolutely riveting. Similar to how the Wolf of Wall Street makes the stock market exciting, Casino Royale does this with ten players sitting around a table with two pieces of card in their hand... Weirdly dull premise, but such an intense and insanely exciting execution.

Mads Mikkelsen plays Le Chiffre; not the typical megalomaniac, no plans for world domination, no laser beams that will destroy the world, just a plan to fund his terrorist organisation and play accountant for Quantum (a film which sadly I am actually going to review next which means I have to sit through that shit again). The simple plan of Le Chiffre, in my opinion at least, makes him so much more terrifying at least. It is clear to us throughout the film that he is desperate and that he will do anything within his power or ability to get what he wants, even if that means repeatedly hitting Bond in the balls with a knotted length of rope; speaking of which...

Now would be a good time to talk about testicles and torture... Still reading? ok you're either a bit strange or you knew I was kidding, but which is it? Clearly, it was the latter, I want to talk about the grounded and gritty tone of this film. Personally, I still find it somewhat surprising that this film passed through the BBFC with only a 12A certificate as that torture scene still manages to make me squirm. Here Bond doesn't use any fancy gadgets or weapons to take out his enemies other than sheer Brawn and physical power over his enemies. From shootings to dropping a man down a stairwell, it doesn't have the same comedic effect of the inflating pill from Live and Let Die, but is a suitably violent film, giving Bond the Bourne treatment, a new and more relatable character.

Now where would this review be if I didn't talk about the Bond girl. A staple of the Bind franchise is the protagonists promiscuity in regards to women. His adrenaline rush is settled about as often as his libido. Here we meet Eva Green's take on a Bond girl in the form of Vesper Lynd, an MI6 accountant who is there to ensure that Bond doesn't waste all of the British governments money directly funding terrorism. What Lynd brings to the franchise is more than just another Bond girl; she's a genuine love interest, just as in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, we see a possible reason for Bond's distrust of love and women, and a reason for his constant emotional detachment. Having a similar childhood to Bond, Lynd is a character who isn't just there for the protagonists sexual gratification but is instead a well rounded character and one who brings out the vulnerability and human nature behind Bond.

Nevertheless, Casino Royale, to me, is the best Bond film yet, thrilling and yet incredibly simple. better than Skyfall, and a thousand times better than quantum of Solace, this film really has everything going for it... It's edgy, dark, violent but also at times, sweet, funny and shows a warmth in it's characters personality; an element to Ian Fleming's character that has appeared regularly absent in previous films.

10/10