Casino Royale ****

It's a new era. Or is it ? Those Bond fans who preferred Sean Connery will be delighted to hear ( and see ) that the franchise once again moves back into the 'hardened' Bond with fists rather than gadgets talking. Having faced so much criticism over the last year for taking over from Brosnan, Daniel Craig can rest easy now. He is Bond, and a damn good Bond at that.

Casino Royale takes us back to the beginning, as James Bond begins a career as a double 0, and almost immediately screws up earning M's wrath. In trying to make amends, he uncovers a financer of global terrorism, Le Chiffre who following Bond's antics is left with a debt of $ 100 million dollars. His money-back scheme ? A high- stakes poker game at the Casino Royale in Montenegro. Naturally, Bond has others plans to ensure Le Chiffre does not succeed. Aiding him is the vivacious treasurer Vesper Lynd who's there to make sure the new Double 0 isn't gonna bleed Britain's coffers dry with his arrogance.

This movie is so different from any Bond film in recent decades, you almost wonder if you've stepped into the wrong theatre. You have a rugged bruised man rather than a gorgeous hunk, a man in love ( Bond ? in love ? ) rather than the incorrigible flirt we all know , the pace is languid rather than whip lash.. it all feels so alien. Action sequences are perhaps far and few between for old Brosnan fans, but you can't deny the screen presence of Daniel Craig. Eva Green as Vesper Lynd is drop dead gorgeous and a worthy girl for Bond to finally find love. Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre isn't gonna top any chart of Bond villlians, but then, this story is more for Bond than a clear cut villain.
Daniel Craig - isn't that the million dollar question ? Well, I'm a Brosnan 'n' Connery fan myself, but even I will admit he is a brilliant Bond. As a man lost in a new world and just getting into the role of MI6 most famous spy legacy, his acting and screen presence is dynamite just as his tender moments with Eva Green seem heart felt rather than..well, you know.

Love him or hate him, that's your choice. But definitely watch this movie. This maybe the start of a new Bond. And you want to be there at the beginning, don't you ?