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[hcmv007]

First-loved the film!


The opening being done in black and white was a nice touch, as Daniel Craig kills in cold blood and earns the Double 0 License. The only problem was composing the music, and leading into the theme by Chris Cornell, as it seemed to me the music did not sync.

Next we see Bond in what I will call the best action sequence ever, as he chases a terrorist in Mdagascar. Most action scenes are overdone, but not here. This scene was well edited, and executed by actors and stuntmen. This leads to Bond being filmed killing an unarmed man, in the cold blooded fashion we know him to do. Dame Judi Dench's aggrevation at Bond was human and understandable.

Bond makes an appearance in M's home, which seems to be in a complex type facility. Good interaction b/t these 2 good actors. This sets Bond to go after contacts in the Bahamas, where he meets Demtrious, who is a jerk, but has a hot wife. Solange's entrance is one that you wish was played in slow motion, Baywatch style, yet still leaves you satisfied as a male. Before that scene is one for the ladies as Criag emerges from the water.

We do not get to see Vesper until after a very good chase scene at Miami International Airport, and then Bond has a chip implanted in him, which made me uncomfortable-Mark of the Beast comes to mind. Ms Green's entrance is not memorable, save for the words exchanged with Bond-but she makes a statement filling out an evening gown.

The card game was not to overplayed, and did a good job of explaining tells, particularly Le Chiffre's. Mads Mikkelsen does a great job at playing Le Chiffre, giving us a Bond villain desperate to save his skin, and gets a littl help from Bond, and Vesper. Jeffery Wright does a good job as Felix, although the general audience does not know who he is until the 3rd time we see him. The only problem was the game of Texas Hold Em was not explained, as Baccarat was in the Fleming Novel, but a novice could pick it up, which was good.

Then we come to the torture scene-which i am ashamed to admit that I laughed, particularly Bond's quips as he is getting his man area beaten with a swinging rope and leather, more intimidating than a carpet beater. I cringed when he got hit, but want to see what the UK edited out. Once Le Chiffre is dealt with, Bond and Vesper have a goodtime, fall in love, and when Craig utters "I have no armor left" I heard a few women going "Awww!".Of course, Vesper does betray Bond, and unlike the novel, dies by letting herself drown, in another tight action sequence. Craig's agony as Bond being unable to save her comes through, and the "Bitch is Dead" line wasted. The movie ends with Bond acting on a tip left for him by Vesper, to deal with the man who killed Le Chiffre, and took the money won from the game, as Craig utters "Bond. James Bond." Damn right, he is!

Problems-Minor-the opening musical number cues, Not saying: Daniel Craig as James Bond 007 in: Ian Fleming's Casino Royale. Vesper's betrayal-M knows about it and still let's her in? How could they have not known about her past? Mathis-liked the actor who played him, but he was used quite ineffectively.

All in all, we have a great Bond film, IMO the best one ever. Bond uses his luck, skill, and brains-not gadgets to win. He makes mistakes, and is betrayed at the end by the woman he loves. Craig at times looked uncertain, but that was only in the beginning, at the end, he looked comfortable being 007, which is what this film accomplishes. Craig channels Connery, and Dalton to a degree, giving us as Bond fans feeling hopeful for a wonderful future of Bond films. The franchise is back! I rate it 4 stars, out of 4.