Casino Royale : Rejuvenating BOND

The Bond is back and he's back with the bang. Casino Royale was certainly one of the most awaited movies of 2006 and it doesn't leave you disappointed. Although released on November 17, 2006 worldwide, it managed to enter Nepal only on December 1, 2006. CASINO ROYALE is based on Ian Fleming's novel of the same name. Published in 1953, it was the first book in his 'James Bond' series. EON Productions' CASINO ROYALE produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli will mark the introduction of Daniel Craig (Munich/Layer Cake) as legendary secret agent, 007. Martin Campbell (GoldenEye/The Legend Of Zorro) is directing this film, the 21st in the 44 year franchise.

Synopsis:
CASINO ROYALE introduces JAMES BOND before he holds his license to kill. But Bond is no less dangerous, and with two professional assassinations in quick succession, he is elevated to "00" status. Bond's first 007 mission takes him to Madagascar, where he is to spy on a terrorist, MOLLAKA (Sebastien Foucan). Not everything goes to plan and Bond decides to investigate, independently of MI6, in order to track down the rest of the terrorist cell. Following a lead to the Bahamas, he encounters DIMITRIOS (Simon Abkarian) and his girlfriend, SOLANGE (Caterina Murino). He learns that Dimitrios is involved with LE CHIFFRE (Mads Mikkelsen), banker to the world's terrorist organizations. Secret Service intelligence reveals that Le Chiffre is planning to raise money in a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro at Le Casino Royale. MI6 assigns 007 to play against him, knowing that if Le Chiffre loses, it will destroy his organization. 'M' (Judi Dench) places Bond under the watchful eye of the beguiling VESPER LYND (Eva Green). At first skeptical of what value Vesper can provide, Bond's interest in her deepens as they brave danger together and even torture at the hands of Le Chiffre. In Montenegro, Bond allies himself with MATHIS (Giancarlo Giannini), MI6's local field agent, and FELIX LEITER (Jeffrey Wright), who is representing the interests of the CIA. The marathon game proceeds with dirty tricks and violence, raising the stakes beyond blood money and reaching a terrifying climax.

For once, there is truth in advertising: The credits proclaim Daniel Craig as "Ian Fleming's James Bond 007," and Craig comes closer to the author's original conception of this exceptionally long-lived male fantasy figure than anyone since early Sean Connery. "Casino Royale" sees Bond recharged with fresh toughness and arrogance, along with balancing hints of sadism and humanity, just as the fabled series is reinvigorated by going back to basics. Craig as Bond is shown as a real human than those robotic looking bonds who can do whatever he wants. He is cruel, ruthless killer when he intends to kill and warm lover when he falls in love. He's egoist, arrogant and yet times funny.

All in all, Craig is hands down the best Bond since Sean Connery originated the role back in 1962’s Dr. No. There was initially controversy over the casting of Craig. Craig was criticized for being too short (at 5’ 11” he is the shortest Bond), and for being blond and blue-eyed (it should be noted though that Fleming describes Bond as having grey-blue eyes in the books). But Craig should take comfort in the fact that when Connery was originally cast, he was criticized by Fleming and fans of the books for being too working class and for being Scottish. But after one outing as 007, Connery won over Fleming (who actually gave his literary character Scottish heritage after seeing Connery’s performance) and fans. Craig too is likely to win over fans after they see the film. The actor delivers a hard-edged Bond who can be a cold-blooded killer, a cool, calculating gambler and a matter-of-fact seducer of women. But he also knows that killing can sometimes be messy, and emotions can sometimes cloud judgment.

Shrewd and smart as well as gorgeous, Vesper Lynd (Played by Eva Green) is hardly the typical Bond girl (she never even appears in a bathing suit), and Green makes her an ideal match for Craig's Bond. Danish star Mikkelsen (as LE CHIFFRE) proves a fine heavy, an imposing man with the memorable flaw of an injured eye that sometimes produces tears of blood. Giancarlo Giannini has a few understated scenes as a friendly contact in Montenegro, and while Jeffrey Wright has little to do as CIA man Felix Leiter, he does get off a couple of the film's best lines, and one can hope he may figure more prominently in forthcoming installments. Sebastien Foucan (in the beginning of the movie) does some eyebrow-raising "free running" stunts in the African chase.

Casino Royal is not full of gadgets and techno though it heavily promotes Sony's products like cell phones, laptops, cameras. Blond Bond does his magic and he's perfect to be 007 agent. Casino Royale is the best Bond film in decades and it moves the franchise in an exciting new direction. The movie goes to various breathtaking parts of the world from Venice to Montenegro, from Madagascar to Miami, also to Uganda, Madagascar, Prague, Bahamas and Switzerland. And the movie ends with style, typical style of Bond with – "The name is Bond, James Bond".

Photos: movies.msn.com