(2006)
expandable
In addition to the action, there is the suspense of the poker table (Baccarat in the original novel, most likely changed to fall in line with the current popularity of poker). A proponent of Texas Hold’em myself the poker is well done and although some cameo appearances may have helped the final table it is thrilling nonetheless.
Judi Dench returns as M, the head of MI6. Dench who first took the role (being the first woman in the role) in the Brosnan film GoldenEye has always played a good character, but this time around she comes across as being a different type of M. This time she seems more like a worried-parent character, who treats Bond as though he is a child, because she knows he is not the Bond of legend at this point, and he needs guidance or he shall never turn into the coolheaded super agent that we all know and love.
In addition to the action, sex and violence a superb soundtrack put together by Chris Cornell [Soundgarden] and David Arnold give the film a sense of departure from other Bond movies and update it for the 21st Century.
This is one of the best entries in the James Bond franchise, there is no denying that, but I do worry of how the Craig run will end. After Campbell left Brosnan he got pulled down by scripts that relied too heavily one gadgets and comic one-liners, and now I fear that Craig may end up being weighed down from becoming overly serious. Regardless of whether or not Craig's run ends on a good or bad note Casino Royale shall easily remain one of the best James Bond films ever made. Campbell should stop running off and stick to Bond, because it seems things start to go badly when he leaves his Bond actor in the hands of the sponsors.
