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Two months ago, I told my parents that I would bring them to watch Casino Royale when it came out it the cinemas. After much waiting, we finally went for that show, along with my sister, as well as WL and her family.

Casino Royale stars Daniel Craig as the ‘new’ James Bond. Although the movie is the 21st in the “007″ franchise, this is where it all began. It revolves around James Bond’s first mission as a “double oh” agent of MI6. The mission leads him to Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), an international money launderer and banker to the world’s terrorists. Le Chiffre’s organisation suffers huge monetary losses when James foils his plans to manipulate the stock markets (you’ll have to watch the movie for the details). This sets the stage for a high stakes hold ‘em poker game in Casino Royale in Montenegro. On the way to saving the world, our enigmatic hero somehow finds time to fall in love with Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), the beautiful British official sent to babysit the treasury’s funds during the mission.

Prior to the release of Casino Royale, there was much critique on the choice of Daniel Craig to take on the role of James Bond. A role that has been filled by Sean Connery (1962–1967 and 1971), George Lazenby (1969), Roger Moore (1973–1985), Timothy Dalton (1987–89), and Pierce Brosnan (1995–2002) before him. Without a doubt, he had some big shoes to fit. Among other things, there were protests that he was too blond, and definitely not suave enough to carry the “007″ character. In his own defense, Craig told the world to watch the movie first and see what he brought to the table before dismissing him. A fair request.

After watching the movie, I found that Daniel Craig did bring his own style to the character. It was not as suave and smooth as the other Bonds we’ve come to know and love. The character was very edgy and the tone of the movie itself was faster paced than its predecessors. However, it worked for me. While I agree with the argument that Casino Royale is missing some key elements of a “Bond” movie, I think it is a good show nonetheless. It is more an action movie than anything else. But then again, I’ve never been a great fan and follower of the franchise. I watch movies for the entertainment value and this movie had spades of it.

Yes, the movie is definitely different from its predecessors. It document’s his rise from ‘common thug’ to super spy extraordinaire. There’s no Q to provide the nifty gadgets that Bond often relies on. There’s no “Vodka Martini, shaken not stirred”. Instead, when asked which he favoured, the response is “Whatever”. Heck, Bond even creates his own concoction which he aptly calls “Vesper”. The man doesn’t wear tailored suits until late into the movie when Vesper Lynd presents him with his first. And instead of staying uninvolved with the Bond girls, this James falls in love. It is important to note that Casino Royale is the first of Bond’s missions. It is his coming of age. So a deviation from the norm is expected.

But enough about ideals. I think it is safe to say that everyone who went with me enjoyed the movie. I had my own favourite moments. I found the ball scratching torture sequence to be amusing. I’ll agree with the girls that Daniel Craig has a hot body. One that I wished I had >.< Similarly, Eva Green looks hot as the troubled Bond girl. Casino Royale is a very long movie with lots of twists and turns. Love it or hate it, you’ll have to watch it and judge for yourself. For me, it is a movie that I don’t mind watching again.