Casino Royale (2006)

Dryden (Malcolm Sinclair): How did he die?
James Bond (Daniel Craig): Your contact? Not well.
Dryden: Made you feel it, did he? Well, you needn't worry. The second is...
[Bond shoots Dryden]
James Bond: Yes... considerably.

Vespa (Eva Green): It doesn’t bother you, killing those people?
Bond: I wouldn’t be very good at my job if it did.

Daniel Craig returns as the newest James Bond in an adventure that moves from Madagascar to Miami to Montenegro. This is a rougher, tougher, less polished, less suave Bond than we are accustomed to. Frankly, I identify Roger Moore as the quintessential Bond, and he always seemed to be slightly surprised at what he could do. Daniel Craig’s Bond is much more arrogant and not at all amused, giving the movie a serious and even a mean-spirited feel. Could you imagine Roger Moore’s Bond being naked and tortured? Poorly structured script starts with some imaginative action scenes (where we probably need a little more of an introduction to the newest Bond), has too many boring card playing scenes, and then throws in a sappy romance! Still, there’s those great classic Bond locations, a suitable score, and an epic feel. Note that most reviewers gave this movie a high rating. Rating: 2 of 4 reviewed 3 Nov 2007

"By the end of a curiously back-to-front film, when he finally gets his theme tune and introduces himself -- 'Bond. James Bond' -- he, like the creaky franchise itself, seems profoundly unsure whether he is coming or going."
- Tim Adams (Guardian - UK)

"This is a Bond with great body but no soul."
- Richard Corliss (TIME Magazine)

"Spectacular action -- and a cool new Bond. But the film goes long and an important romance isn't quite sold. Nor is the plot terribly solid."
- Ross Anthony (Hollywood Report Card)

"Who wants to see Bond learn a lesson about ego, as if he were Greg Brady in his 'Johnny Bravo' phase?"
- John Beifuss (Commercial Appeal - Memphis, TN)