This is a utilitarian, back-to-basics Bond, a 'blunt instrument,' as M (Judi Dench) puts it (echoing Bond author Ian Fleming), stripped of the knowing smirk and salacious wink. Well established in the UK for dramatic roles in 'Mother' and 'Enduring Love,' Craig may be more familiar to American audiences for his supporting turns in 'Munich,' 'Infamous' and 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.'īlond, muscular and pugnacious, he is closer to Sean Connery's working-class insolence than his smarmier successors. The changing of the guard has become a significant element in the long-term sustainability of the franchise, and the most compelling reason to see 'Casino Royale' is obviously to check out Bond Mark VI, Daniel Craig.īreathe easy - he passes the test with flying colors.Īnd you need not read too much into an early crack about the short life expectancy of the double 0s, since he's already signed on for two more films. Judging by the box office returns for the last film, he's lost little of his appeal the dire 'Die Another Day' made $432 million worldwide.

presidents, notwithstanding a six-year moratorium after the fall of the Berlin Wall (and the toppling of Timothy Dalton). His escapades stretch back to the Cuban Missile Crisis and span nine U.S. (CNN) - By rights he should be well into middle age, but James Bond turns 21 (movies, that is) here with a new look and a fresh start.ĭouble-0-seven can't compete with Tarzan or Godzilla for screen outings, but neither of these worthies can match him for consistency.

What casino was casino royale filmed in