Thursday, 26 May 2016

Casino Royale (2006)

Genre

Action | Thriller

Director

Martin Campbell

Country

UK | USA | Czech Republic | Germany

Cast

Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Jeffrey Wright, Simon Abkarian, Caterina Murino, Ivana Miličević, Isaac de Bankolé, Jesper Christensen, Sébastien Foucan, Tobias Menzies, Ludger Pistor, Claudio Santamaria, Richard Sammel, Clemens Schick

Storyline

Recently promoted to 00 status, James Bond (Daniel Craig) takes over his first mission, in which he faces a mysterious private banker to world terrorism and poker player, Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen).

Opinion

After "GoldenEye", Martin Campbell returns to direct James Bond, this time played by Daniel Craig, and he wins at the green table with "Casino Royale", arguably one of the best entries in the whole series.

First things first, the film has a strong and gripping plot that despite its 144 minutes doesn't bore, not even for a second. Also, this is not your typical Bond story and relies more on classical thrills - like the first James Bond - than technology - I know it's unbelievable but there are no gadgets in this film.

But that's not all. In fact, the action sequences, spectacular as they should be, are wonderfully balanced with brilliant dialogue - especially the conversations between Bond and Le Chiffre - that provides the viewer all the information necessary to understand the story.

Other than having a new face, James Bond is also a different man. He is more secure, tougher - killing in cold blood is not a problem for this Bond  -, and more serious, yet he still has a great sense of humour.

The other characters are great as well. Le Chiffre, the villain, is spectacular and probably one of the best villains in the franchise. And the Bond girl, oh boy. Finally she is not some dumb good looking girl, but she actually has a brain and know how to use it.

And the cast. As much as I dislike him, Daniel Craig makes a perfect James Bond, even though, if I have to be honest, he would have made a better villain. Mads Mikkelsen gives a good, enjoyable performance as La Chiffre. And at last Eva Green. Probably for the first time, she is not naked in this one and finally has the chance to show her acting abilities.

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