We actually saw it last week, folks. With all the other mindless drones headed to the multiplex. The point of this review is not, as it turns out, to tell those of you who were going to see it anyway how Casino Royale was. It's actually to get the rest of you--the oldschool Bond fans, the Connery-or-bust types.
Because Casino Royale's a real return to form for the series. By turning the clock back on Bond (now played by the deliciously badass--and, ok ladies, just plain delicious--Daniel Craig) the producers have breathed new life into a moribund franchise. This Bond isn't just going through the motions: the movie is better acted, more stylishly shot, and a whole lot darker than recent entries: the black and white opening sequence (set in Prague) features a scene of violence we might call Tarantino-esque if we weren't sick of people making that comparison. The scene cuts right into an old-fashioned credits sequence, the kind with snazzy 60s-style graphics.
What else is there? The requisite hot bodies, action, not one but two Aston Martins, a few explosions, a plot twist or three, Judi Dench, a highstakes game of Texas Hold 'Em, some nifty gadgets, several martinis, and all in all, a darn good popcorn flick. Enjoy.
Grade: A-
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