Why You Should Watch Casino Royale
Casino Royale is truly a milestone for 007: the film will be an adaptation of Bond’s first adventure in a casino as Agent 00, and it also marks Daniel Craig’s debut as Bond. Essentially, it’s a complete reboot of the series that has been going on since 1962’s Dr. No, a bold decision considering the army of fans massed around the world over the past few decades.
After assassinating a traitorous MI6 division chief, Bond receives 00 status and becomes 007. Visit an escape room and accessing Mollaka’s phone, Bond finds hyperlinks to a part of terrorist financier Le Chiffre and plans to loot a prototype plane to manipulate stock prices that will end up funding Le Chiffre’s plans.
Le Chiffre has no choice to foil the plot but stage a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro from the Casino Royale. With Felix Leiter’s help of the CIA and Rene Mathis of MI6, Bond soon discovers that Le Chiffre is not one to play by the rules: like his associates, he doesn’t like to lose.
Good Points
To say that Casino Royale is an entirely new Bond is an understatement: the only components that remain from its predecessor are Dench as M, the more hypnotic opening titles, and the classic joke that serves as a flag. The film has primal brutality that distances it from the glossy action films of yore, heavily influenced by The Bourne Identity, but all the better for it.
Mikkelsen’s comedic villain is undoubtedly pleasing, and after we see Bond being tortured, he shows a level of sick desperation that will make men everywhere uncomfortable. Of course, the film is a super relaxed affair – there’s quality throughout that reinforces the illusion that this isn’t just an exercise in special effects. This picture is raw, visceral, and beautiful to look at.
Bad Points
A significant amount of screen time is swallowed up by Texas Hold ‘Em, so understanding the game is critical to finding the best in the film. And early Bond fans may be left wanting at the end because once the game is over, the film drags on for a long time before picking up speed for an impressive (and somewhat fantastic) climax in Venice.
