Dir. Martin Campbell
Writ. Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Paul Haggis
Act. Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judy Dench

I was completely wrong Daniel Craig was the right guy for this kind of Bond movie. I had no idea that the producers and directors were going to Americanize James Bond. Craig is the perfect thug for this kind of crap that destroys the coolness that was James Bond and leaves us with a movie that is like Rambo with a British Accent.

British agent James Bond, played by Daniel Craig (Munich,) is a newly promoted 007 that is trying to follow where a small time suicide bomber is going to attack. Once he foils an attack on the Miami airport, the Ministry discovers that the financier of the bomb maker lost $100 million on a stock gamble when the attack was stopped. In order to re-coup his losses and to pay off the people he owes, Le Chiffre, played by Mads Mikkelson (King Arthur,) decides to hold a high stakes Texas hold-em tournament at the Casino Royale in Montenegro. The Ministry sends Bond to win the tournament to force Le Chiffre to go into protective hiding with the Ministry in exchange for information about the world's terrorists.

If you are a fan of any of the old James Bond movies, Sean Connery thru Pierce Brosnan, then I don't see how you can like the Daniel Craig version. Part of the allure of the James Bond films is that he is so very British. He gets into fights and when he is done he straightens his tie and then he looks as good as new. Daniel Craig looks like Rocky Balboa and the end of every fight scene. Bond is this cool guy that can kick your ass and still look neat. If I want to see a bloody hero get his ass kicked but still find a way to win, then I will look for an American action movie staring Sly Stallone or Arnold. Another thing great about Bond movies is that most of the bad guys in them have aspirations of global domination. In this movie, Le Chiffre is a banker for terrorists and then gambles their money on the stock market. Wow, what a tough guy. Now Mikkelson did do a good job on the character but, really who cares about this guy. Bond shouldn't have to handle this guy, just call in a Special Forces unit to capture him in his sleep. End of story. But you don't use Bond to capture a banking weasel.

I also don't understand why people think that Craig could be the "best Bond ever." Every time he had to chase someone, he looked like the T-1000 from the Terminator 2 movie. I mean it looks like he copied Robert Patrick's movement from the Terminator movie. Speaking of movement, when did Bond become an Ape from The Planet of the Apes? That whole opening scene with Bond and the bad guy running through the construction site was ridiculous. Craig also has one expression all the time and it always looks like he is pissed. Is that a James Bond trait? No.

I guess my point is that when Pierce Brosnan did his first Bond movie, Goldeneye, the producers turned Bond into a 90's Bond. Respecting woman's rights and the such. Why do the producers feel that they need to reinvent Bond again? Not only re-invent, but to take away some of the best characteristics of the James Bond character? I like the fact that he is nearly indestructible, and that almost naked women are running around him all the time. Plus I like to see my Bond smile. If I want to see someone angry in an action movie, I can watch a Terminator movie.

I say avoid this movie. It isn't worth any of the hype. Oh by the way, Clive Owen would still make a better Bond.

Brian - the Naked Gun