If the most recent forays into the James Bond universe -- with their horribly convoluted plots, far-fetched gizmos, campy scenarios, cheesy villains and Pierce Brosnan -- have disillusioned you about the possibility of a decent new film, then your worries are at an end. Bond enthusiasts now can die another day in peace, knowing the franchise is in good hands with Daniel Craig. His Bond is in dark contrast to the martini-sipping, tuxedo-wearing pretty boy often portrayed in recent films.
In the opening of "Casino Royale," we witness Bond's promotion to "00" agent, via two murders: one done in the typical, calculated Bond style, and the other in an undeniably un-Bond manner -- for your eyes only.
We see Craig beating the living daylights out of a henchman in a bathroom, ultimately drowning him in a sink, revealing the character's flaws as a ruthless and risk-taking thrill-seeker rather than the collected, logical and merciful agent his boss, M, wants him to be. That is the main attraction to Craig: His Bond makes mistakes, misjudges situations and even breaks a sweat more than once, making him a more realistic hero to vie for the audience's emotions.
The intriguing plot of "Casino Royale" also doesn't hurt its prospects as the best Bond movie in decades -- centering around a poker game with mounds of chips worth a million dollars each. Bond is entered into the game to win the money of Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), the new deformed,scar-faced villain, a personal banker to a number of world terrorist groups. Sent by M to keep an eye on Bond (isn't that always the case?) is MI6 treasurer Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), who, in addition, pretends to be his wife in order to distract the other card players.
While this card game may sound like a boring plot device, there still are explosions, fistfights, acrobatics and several exciting action sequences in which Bond uses his license to kill. The poker game provides an equally thrilling experience -- but in the form of suspense, not violence.
For those who disliked Brosnan's Bond, live and let die the past decade of Bond movies, for Daniel Craig should prove a satisfying 007 for years to come.
Chase Stubblefield attends Buchanan High School.
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