Written by: Kevin Berge
Not to say Daniel Craig isn't a good-looking guy but he definitely has some work to do on his attempt at a sexy smolder. (Image Courtesy of: 007.com)
Quick Take: Casino Royale takes the James Bond formula and flips it on its head by grounding the character through new Bond Daniel Craig. While the modern spin may not be for everyone, this is the most emotionally resonant Bond has ever been.
***This review will dive into exactly what defines Casino Royale as a complete film, expecting the reader to have seen the film already. It will contain spoilers throughout.***
I never got the appeal of James Bond. The smooth-talking agent just came off a bit too aloof and perfect for me to invest in as a kid. I enjoyed the occasional Bond movie especially GoldenEye, but I just couldn't get into the male wish fulfillment of Bond's womanizing and gun-slinging.
Perhaps for that reason, I welcomed Casino Royale with open arms when it first opened in theaters. It was completely different from the Bond I had been introduced to before. Daniel Craig gave Bond the harder edge that gave weight to his killing.
The whole movie is a fairly risky proposition on the surface. Modernizing James Bond is difficult. Sean Connery's Bond would have been an impossible sell in the 2000s, so drenched the 60s with far too many troubling tropes, and Pierce Brosnan's Bond quickly went from 90s flare to 90s goofiness.
The character needed a reset, but Casino Royale does not feel all that much like a Bond movie. Craig's a talented movie star, but he does not exude natural charisma. His performance feels almost anti-Bond. He casually dismisses many of the character's signature traits.
To introduce this new Bond, the story goes back to the beginning, adapting the very first Ian Fleming novel. The story starts with Bond earning his 007 title. This assignment is his first as 007, launching him into a dangerous battle of wills with terrorist banker La Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen) with only the help of agent Vesper Lynd (Eva Green).
Most of this story is fairly contained with more espionage than straight action. Of course the film still has an incredible chase scene to start off, and even the poker game gets deadly at multiple points. It's just that the story is more contained. There's no long shootouts here.
I never got the appeal of James Bond. The smooth-talking agent just came off a bit too aloof and perfect for me to invest in as a kid. I enjoyed the occasional Bond movie especially GoldenEye, but I just couldn't get into the male wish fulfillment of Bond's womanizing and gun-slinging.
Perhaps for that reason, I welcomed Casino Royale with open arms when it first opened in theaters. It was completely different from the Bond I had been introduced to before. Daniel Craig gave Bond the harder edge that gave weight to his killing.
The whole movie is a fairly risky proposition on the surface. Modernizing James Bond is difficult. Sean Connery's Bond would have been an impossible sell in the 2000s, so drenched the 60s with far too many troubling tropes, and Pierce Brosnan's Bond quickly went from 90s flare to 90s goofiness.
The character needed a reset, but Casino Royale does not feel all that much like a Bond movie. Craig's a talented movie star, but he does not exude natural charisma. His performance feels almost anti-Bond. He casually dismisses many of the character's signature traits.
To introduce this new Bond, the story goes back to the beginning, adapting the very first Ian Fleming novel. The story starts with Bond earning his 007 title. This assignment is his first as 007, launching him into a dangerous battle of wills with terrorist banker La Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen) with only the help of agent Vesper Lynd (Eva Green).
Most of this story is fairly contained with more espionage than straight action. Of course the film still has an incredible chase scene to start off, and even the poker game gets deadly at multiple points. It's just that the story is more contained. There's no long shootouts here.
Who needs dangerous lasers and fights on the moon? Modern audiences are craving intense poker action. (Image Courtesy of: objectionnetwork.com)
At its core, Casino Royale is about one thing: humanizing Bond. The action he goes through is impressive, but it feels real without relying on many movie tricks to disguise the focus. Plus it all takes its toll on Bond as he's sweating, wheezing, and often bleeding.
Like the true classic action films including Die Hard, the protagonist does not come out of each encounter without scars. Especially during the centerpiece poker game, each scene leaves Bond worse for wear. He is attacked, poisoned, then tortured violently.
No scene best exemplifies the film's strengths than when Bond fight the warlord Steven Obanno. They brawl down the stairs as both are bloodied quickly in the scuffle. Bond almost loses only to be helped by Lynd who is then not ready to watch Bond strangle the life out of Obanno.
Lynd is left traumatized, huddling in the shower with Bond coming to comfort her. In an earlier Bond film, this scene would be a cake walk for Bond who would then have sex with Lynd in a fit of passion. Instead, here the violence leaves both in pain, drenched in blood, and drawn into a quieter intimacy.
The relationship between Craig's Bond and Green's Lynd is believable and memorable with both actors having impressive chemistry. For once, there's a reason to root for the romantic pairing rather than just expecting them end up together in a blissful union that is forgotten in the next film.
In fact, this film does not give any satisfaction. After the mission, Bond wants to retire and live out his life with Lynd only to have her betray him. The betrayal though is not a simple about-face. She is entangled in a conspiracy that she regrets and does not let Bond save her as she drowns.
He finds out the truth of how she was manipulated, but it is too late. The one woman we have ever seen Bond truly love is gone, and it forces the violent and impulsive Bond back into his role as 007. He is damaged, angry, and now fully embraced his deadly role.
Like the true classic action films including Die Hard, the protagonist does not come out of each encounter without scars. Especially during the centerpiece poker game, each scene leaves Bond worse for wear. He is attacked, poisoned, then tortured violently.
No scene best exemplifies the film's strengths than when Bond fight the warlord Steven Obanno. They brawl down the stairs as both are bloodied quickly in the scuffle. Bond almost loses only to be helped by Lynd who is then not ready to watch Bond strangle the life out of Obanno.
Lynd is left traumatized, huddling in the shower with Bond coming to comfort her. In an earlier Bond film, this scene would be a cake walk for Bond who would then have sex with Lynd in a fit of passion. Instead, here the violence leaves both in pain, drenched in blood, and drawn into a quieter intimacy.
The relationship between Craig's Bond and Green's Lynd is believable and memorable with both actors having impressive chemistry. For once, there's a reason to root for the romantic pairing rather than just expecting them end up together in a blissful union that is forgotten in the next film.
In fact, this film does not give any satisfaction. After the mission, Bond wants to retire and live out his life with Lynd only to have her betray him. The betrayal though is not a simple about-face. She is entangled in a conspiracy that she regrets and does not let Bond save her as she drowns.
He finds out the truth of how she was manipulated, but it is too late. The one woman we have ever seen Bond truly love is gone, and it forces the violent and impulsive Bond back into his role as 007. He is damaged, angry, and now fully embraced his deadly role.
Most of the Bond girls should be way out of Bond's league, but this just makes it look like miles of difference. (Image Courtesy of: jamesbond.wikia.com)
In this way, Casino Royale makes Bond's origin story a tragedy. The smooth-talking agent is revealed to be consistently compensating for the pain in his past. It does not make up for many of Bond's more troubling traits in earlier films, but it does give a reason for them.
As suave and skilled as he may be, he cannot ground himself anymore. For this reason, the formula that makes Casino Royale work is a one-time event. Since then, Craig's Bond has grown more and more into a role that just does not suit his portrayal of the character especially exemplified in the latest film Spectre.
Even Skyfall which again grounds the character in impressive fashion does not have the same emotional resonance. Writer Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, credited with co-writing every Bond film since The World is Not Enough, have created a screenplay alongside Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby) that could not be duplicated.
Director Martin Campbell (The Legend of Zorro) is working against type here with almost all his other work more flashy action including his previous work with Bond in GoldenEye. The grounded violence almost feels like it cannot work in Bond, but it does this one time.
While I love the way the ending plays on the Bond trope of happy romantic getaways, it is also the film's primary flaw. It feels like the movie has two even three conclusions which leads to a confusing experience especially for a first-time viewer. It likely could have been better edited to flow more naturally.
I may occasionally return to Bond movies to just get lost in the silliness, but Casino Royale is the only Bond film I return to be engaged. The actors, writing, and direction all bring a realism to the story that makes the characters likable and worth rooting for. It's the Bond film that can never be duplicated.
As suave and skilled as he may be, he cannot ground himself anymore. For this reason, the formula that makes Casino Royale work is a one-time event. Since then, Craig's Bond has grown more and more into a role that just does not suit his portrayal of the character especially exemplified in the latest film Spectre.
Even Skyfall which again grounds the character in impressive fashion does not have the same emotional resonance. Writer Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, credited with co-writing every Bond film since The World is Not Enough, have created a screenplay alongside Paul Haggis (Million Dollar Baby) that could not be duplicated.
Director Martin Campbell (The Legend of Zorro) is working against type here with almost all his other work more flashy action including his previous work with Bond in GoldenEye. The grounded violence almost feels like it cannot work in Bond, but it does this one time.
While I love the way the ending plays on the Bond trope of happy romantic getaways, it is also the film's primary flaw. It feels like the movie has two even three conclusions which leads to a confusing experience especially for a first-time viewer. It likely could have been better edited to flow more naturally.
I may occasionally return to Bond movies to just get lost in the silliness, but Casino Royale is the only Bond film I return to be engaged. The actors, writing, and direction all bring a realism to the story that makes the characters likable and worth rooting for. It's the Bond film that can never be duplicated.
Final verdict:
Three Defining Success
Three Defining Success
- Intense writing that brings James Bond down to earth and adds weight to the violence.
- Daniel Craig's more dangerous and damaged portrayal of Bond coupled with his realistic chemistry with Eva Green.
- Grounded intense action that is emotionally resonant without taking away from the engagement.
- A somewhat chaotic final act that feels like it has too many conclusions.