Casino Royale

release year: 2006
genre: action/adventure
viewing setting: home DVD, 7/27/08

synopsis: In a sort of prequel, James Bond earns his "00" status and then goes after a corrupt banker.

impressions: New actor, less gadgets, more physical Bond. The plot was/is complicated and the next Bond movie (due out in late 2008) will be a direct sequel/continuation of this movie.

something this movie has that no other movie has: A woman who basically allows herself to die for no reason.

acting: Daniel Craig is now James Bond, and he brings an angry, highly physical intensity to the role. Eva Green is the main Bond girl, who's also a Treasury agent and has some secrets. Judi Dench is just nasty as "M", the head of MI6. Mads Mikkelson is Le Chiffre, a thinking bad guy without much flash or flair like past Bond villains.

final word: A good bit different, but still good and full of action.

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