Casino Royale

Getting some things off my promised list is my goal for the next month and seven days. And since I did not only promise a review of this movie but its two sequels, I thought I should get going on this right away.

Let's do a flash back here.

Its 2006, I'm fourteen years old and the only James Bond I know is this suave gentleman...

Here

And suddenly I start seeing trailers for a new James Bond but with a totally new face doing the role. Now if you know me, I personally love when they switch up the actors in a role. But who the hell is Daniel Craig?

Casino Royale came out in a very different age than any of the Pierce Brosnan or any other James Bond before him film. While it wasn't the first Post-9/11 Bond film, it was the first to actually give the feeling of putting Bond in a Post-9/11 world. 

The movie opens up to James Bond gaining his 00 status within MI6. This is a very young James Bond just starting his career. He is callous and only cares about the completion of his mission. 

There's a great line that Eva Green's character says to describe Bond as the perfect candidate that MI6 looks for. "Maladjusted young men who give little thought to sacrificing others in order to protect Queen and Country."

This Bond knows his lifespan is short so he takes full advantage of the perks and does his job. 

This is a brilliant way to open up the character. It also brings a personal touch to a character that has just become an archetype for an action hero instead of an actual character. It sets up for great development and an overall great character.

As the plot continues, Bond prevents a terrorist attack meant to sink stocks and make a fortune betting against the market. 

All of this orchestrated by a terrorist financier by the name of Le Chiffre (played by Mads Mikkelsen). By preventing the terrorist attack, Le Chiffre loses a boat load of money by betting against the market. In order to regain his money and pay back his debtors, Le Chiffre joins a high stakes poker game in Montenegro. MI6's plan to capitalize on his information is to beat Le Chiffre in the poker game so he goes completely broke. Therefore, when he loses, he has no place else to go and will have no other choice but to be brought into MI6 and give up the names and information on the terrorist cells he finances.

Now there's a little bit of a hole there as Le Chiffre is already pretty screwed financially so why didn't MI6 just bring him in so they don't run the risk of his doubling down actually working. But looking beyond that, they put James Bond into the game and pit the two against each other.

Enter Vesper Lynd.

Now similarly to Daniel Craig, I had never heard about Eva Green prior to Casino Royale. And by God, is she not absolutely gorgeous?

Vesper Lynd is a representative from the bank that is funding the operation and she is the one overseeing the use of funds.

From the very beginning, Green distinguishes herself as a formidable equal to Bond. Her opening scene presents the two sparring with dialogue, both having their own armor to protect themselves but both can see through each other's armor.

Its a great relationship that is cultivated very naturally throughout the entire film.

The second act of the movie is mainly events that occur in the Casino and a mental game between Bond and Le Chiffre in the Poker game. And it really brings out the best of this film. The movie consists of several interactions and intellectual and physical battles between James Bond and others. Le Chiffre, Vesper, M, and lots of others.

And that just builds up James Bond as an awesome character. In its simplest form, its pitting two characters against each other. Its not enough to just have the protagonist win but its must show the audience something new about our hero and how he (or she) compares with their opponent. This is done perfectly in Casino Royale.

Its too simple to say its a battle pitting good versus evil because it really is more than that. The reason this movie is so good is because so much is shown in a scene where Bond is just sitting across a poker table from Le Chiffre. If I told you the second act is just the poker game between the two, you probably wouldn't think too much happens. But so much does happen. Putting aside the action sequences, the poker scenes are engaging and just add more and more to the film.

The third act to the film is probably the crowning jewel on the journey that has been Casino Royale. Where the first act was a great introduction to the character, the second act was the building of relationships between Bond and his friends and enemies. The third act turns all of that upside down and gives us a brilliant conclusion. Where most Bond films would end with Le Chiffre dying and Bond getting the girl only for the next film for her to either die inexplicably or disappear into vague circumstances, the film continues. Bond basically gives up MI6.

The relationship between Vesper and Bond is only exacerbated all up until the point of betrayal and that only makes it harder on Bond and the audience when she not only betrays him but gives up her life.

Vesper Lynd's story ends with such a bittersweet ending that is not only painful for the audience but is also a strong testament to the relationship that has been built over the last hour.

I don't know. There's a great chemistry between the two and the ending of this movie is such a brilliant developing point for James Bond as a character. He has become vulnerable and the one person he let in past that armor that was mentioned in the beginning betrayed him and broke his heart. Suddenly we have a more well rounded character with even let of a regard for others if it means getting what he wants whether it be personal gain or the protection of Queen and Country. This is a brilliant step.

So if you can't tell, I really like this movie. I won't say its a perfect movie, but its pretty darn close. Visually its just a great looking movie. The action was great. It brought a whole new feeling to the Bond franchise. Instead of being a cheesy action flick, it was an actual serious Bourne like action film with complex and deep characters.

I wasn't planning on giving such a raving review of this film when I started this review but the more I think about it, the more I realize this is just a stellar film.

Its a fun way to start off this little mini segment of Bond films. The Daniel Craig films are one of a kind and it had a stellar beginning with Casino Royale. Stay tuned for the sequel that everyone for some reason tries to forget in Quantum of Solace.

So there are my thoughts on Casino Royale. What do you think of it? Give me your thoughts and comments below!

I'll leave you with this. It may be the typical go to video but if there's a flaw in the movie, chances are How it should have ended always finds it. Here is How Casino Royale should have ended. Enjoy!