Ian Fleming would be proud.
Casino Royale, the latest installment of the James Bond series,
is a testament to the longevity of the spy created in 1952 and
a sign the franchise has plenty of ammunition left in its
Walther PPK.
For the first time in years, the film's producers based the
movie largely on a Fleming novel, his first with 007 as the
protagonist, as opposed to sending Bond off on a mission to
intercept a run of the mill nuclear terrorist intent on
triggering the third world war.
In the film, James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, has recently
earned his "00" designation and has been given licence to kill
by his superiors at MI6. The film is set before the others and
is somewhat of a prequel to the first 20 movies. It shows the
audience, in essence, the making of James Bond.
The reason I say somewhat is because the movie makes several
post-9/11 references, despite the fact some films in the past
were obviously set during the Cold War and before the terrorist
attacks in 2001.
Despite the anachronisms, the movie still ranks among the best
in the series because of its refreshing screenplay (co-written
by Canadian Paul Haggis) and the quality acting that gives it
life.
Prior to seeing the movie for the first time, I was feeling
very anxious leading up to its release. As a lifelong
Bond-buff, it's the same feeling I get every time they release
another picture but it never gets any easier. I'm always afraid
they're going to ruin the series somehow.
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Especially when they've got a new actor playing Blond, I mean
Bond.
Craig is exceptional. For the first time, it looks as if the
actor playing Bond has a real appreciation for the kind of
macho spy and Englishman Fleming envisioned when he penned his
007 books. From his delivery to his mannerisms and even the
timing of his jokes, Craig has done his homework.
As much as some people criticized Casino Royale's producers for
enlisting a blond Bond, it's not as bad as they'd have you
believe. And besides, there's too much happening on the screen
to lose any sleep fretting over hair colour. And, if you don't
like it, you'd better get used to it because Craig has been
signed to make the next two sequels. The first is expected in
theatres in 2008.
The only thing missing from the fun and adventure is the
quartermaster. Although John Cleese (who played the role of Q
in the 20th installment, Die Another Day) can't hold a candle
to Desmond Llewelyn, who portrayed Major Boothroyd, aka
Q,  in 17 James Bond movies prior to retiring from the
role (he later died in 1999), he's better than nothing. I'll
always miss his trademark, "Oh, do grow up, 007!"
It seems the new Bond finally has, and the results are worth
watching.
