Casino Royale

I like James Bond. James Bond is cool.

Many actors have portrayed him with varied results:

Sean Connery – I was too young to fully appreciate him, but he’s (or at least was) cool.

George Lazenby – only played James bond once – poor bastard, not that cool either

Roger Moore – The James Bond of my youth – campy, cheesy, but cool as ice ice baby!

Timothy Dalton – dark and serious Bond – coolio

Pierce Brosnan – Mr. “I think and act like I am cool, but unfortunately I am not.”

Many people hated the fact that Daniel Craig was cast as James Bond for this film. This was after many internet rumors of Clive Owen taking on the role. Despite that many people thought that Clive Owen would be a perfect match, Daniel Craig was cast and caused controversy amongst Bond Purists. Some even went so far as to set up a website that’s sole purpose was to bash Craig. This site is just damn weird. It has a gravestone on it with the name James bond on the headstone. Now that the movie is out, they are frantically trying to get people to go to other movies…..but secretly if they are THAT hardcore of a James Bond fan, they probably saw the movie on opening night and have gone to see it 10 times already…kinda like secret agents…oooooooh.

Casino Royale is the last Bond movie to be based on one of Ian Flemings books. In fact, this was the first James Bond novel ever written. The film is a great action movie about an individual being cultivated into a special agent and the toll that it takes on him in the process. Daniel Craig or “James Blond” as some like to call him, is by far the best Bond yet. Craig’s 007 is much more believable as someone who could pull off his mission with success. Gone are the days (I hope) of the James Bond who is desperately trying to look sexy, calm, and cool while giving the Judo-Chop to evil henchmen at the same time. This version of bond is more interesting and masculine, allowing the viewer to easily relate to the story while authenticating the character of James Bond. You get to see his transformation and by the end, he has become the cold secret agent that the British government wants him to be. This Bond has “testicular fortitude” (pun intended) that the James Bond movie franchise has desperiately needed for a long time. Let’s hope his jublies can hold up in future installments.

8.5 out of 10

Why not 9? Vesper’s role in the defibrillation situation – she must have one of those at home I guess?
Why not 10? It took 21 film attempts to come up with a believable James Bond.