Casino Royale

I remember walking out of the downtown Chicago theater trying to tell myself that I wasn’t going to comment on the film right away. In fact, I generally try never to speak about a film unless it’s had a few days to sink in. And now, several days later, my opinion of the film has changed considerably since the credits first ran.

Instead of continuing forward with the James Bond series, director Martin Campbell brings us back to the beginning of Bond’s career, opening with his first two kills that qualify him for 007 status. His first mission is to follow a high stakes investor, who plays his clients money against the stock market to double or triple his investments. After thwarting his first plan, Bond (played by Daniel Craig) follows dangerous investor Le Chiffre (played by Mads Mikkelson) to the famous Casino Royale. Le Chiffre, a brilliant card counter and chess player, sets up a high stakes poker game worth 150 million. MI6 fronts the cash for Bond, represented by the beautiful Vesper Lynd (played by Eva Green,) to hold a seat and stop Le Chiffre from taking the winnings. The stakes: if Bond loses, MI6 will have funded 150 million to terrorist organizations.

The underlying theme of this film has nothing to do with Casino Royale. This film is about the first moments of James Bond as 007. As we’ve heard M state several times in the Bond series, James is a reckless man whose pride gets in the way of accuracy. In this film, we are exposed to the beginnings of said actions. We are exposed to his first failure, and his first loss. We are exposed to his first love. All of these seem like typical elements of a film, but interestingly enough, they are generally left out of the Bond saga. With recent films such as Die Another Day, and The World is Not Enough, James is generally dragged through a plot involving an evil villain whose ego just barely surpass the square footage of their diabolical layers. Complimented with sexy woman, these films generally jump from witty comment to sexual innuendo with the same frequency of most ham radios.

One of the most powerful elements in this film is the danger that exists with each of Bond’s choices. In previous films, he escapes grand ice castles, runs through enormous industrial compounds, and is captured time and time again only to escape using some tiny modification to a wrist watch. In this film however, Bond’s life is threatened on a much simpler level, and strangely enough, the danger is so much more powerful. No toys, no exploding pens, no special scanners; this Bond relies on his wit, his strength, his skill and his intelligence. Coupled with powerful cinematography, a much more throbbing sense of danger is achieved, far surpassing that of previous Bond films.

Some call this film dirtier, showing the darker side of Bond. I would agree with that to the extent of saying that it shows where Bond’s cold killing nature comes from. We are exposed to a pain and hatred that molds and refines the killer we’re used to seeing. We are shown that M’s doubts (role championed by Judi Dench) are not unfounded. All around, it’s a powerful story of a hero being born, and shaped for his future.

Now, some elements: one of the best things about starting over with this story is that writers are able to update the story. Though the concept of the man remains the same, we are exposed to a new era that Bond can interact with. M makes mention of the 911 attacks, and how the stocks played a role in the actions of Le Chiffre. Gadgets become believable and the usage of computers makes more of a presence. It was time for Bond to jump to the times, and this was certainly a perfect transition. Much like the failed path of the Batman series, Martin Campbell mirrors Christopher Noland’s work with Batman Begins. Both directors bring a new hero to the screen, a new face to an already beloved character. We are shown that these heroes have a darker side to their otherwise smiling demeanor.

Walking out of the film, I wasn’t sure what to say. I was angry that the film makers didn’t do more with what they had. The opening scene was by far one of the best action chase sequences I’ve seen in years, and left me wanting more. I had to remind myself that this wasn’t going to be an action movie; rather, it was going to be a character study of one of the most complicated characters in film history. Keep that in mind when pushing through the poker game near midway.

Daniel Craig will be a great addition to the Bond family. His acting was solid, and his stoic stare makes him all the more perfect for the role. His execution of the patients, intelligence, and attitude shake the Bond films back to life. His energy and execution will bring new things to the future of Bond films, just as Christian Bale has woken the Batman series. Through thought out writing, creative camera work, strong directing, and excellent acting, these fine men and women have brought back to us one of the greatest heroes of all time. By giving it a new feel, and new look, and a familiar smile, we are pulled into a new age of James Bond, one that relies on all the elements of film making.

7.5 of 10.