Casino Royale - (2006) - B+

Quantum of Solace, Daniel Craig’s second outing as James Bond opens today and since there were many loose ends with the last film, I thought it’d be a good idea to take another look. Casino Royale is not only Craig’s first Bond role, but has taken the franchise in more serious and gritty direction. There are no gadgets to be found, and while there are a few laughs, they’re earned, rather than cheap quips we've come to expect from Bond. But what really sets Casino Royale apart from its predecessors are the excellent action scenes, not just the best of any Bond movie, but among the best in any film this decade. From the opening crane-chase to the airport-tanker truck scene to the stairwell-machete fight, the film still gets the adrenaline going . . .There is too much poker-playing and the post poker love story could have probably lost a few minutes. The last action scene is too unrealistic and disappointing given all that came prior, but it’s all pulled together beautifully in the final seconds as Craig delivers his last line. Eva Green is terrific as one of the “Bond girls” and her conversation with Craig on the train before they start all the poker stuff is well-done, especially when they deconstruct each other. Judi Dench is equally good as Bond’s boss and their discussions about his future and her advice to him are interesting. This is easily the best Bond movie since the 60s with only The Spy Who Loved Me coming close. B+