If I am truthfully speaking, I feel as if Casino Royale is the best Bond film and has the greatest James Bond character to date. This is because Daniel Craig's performance is utterly fantastic, and he thoroughly deserves the praise he has been receiving. The DVD goes fantastically with the film, and I would only recommend the Collectors Edition, as it provides some excellent special feautres that are definitley worth viewing.

At first, I was sceptical about the new casting of the role. However, I was not criticising him at all, so I decided to wait for the film, and I would make my judgement from there. As I walked from the cinema, I genuinely thought that Daniel Craig was amazing. I will go as far as saying his performance was the best to date. Although, some of you disagree. But that’s what makes a great Bond film. If everyone loved it, it would actually be boring. Because the underlying comment of this film is that it is DIFFERENT. It's dark, deep and gritty. This is something we haven’t seen in any Bond before, so it makes for great viewing.

PLOT:

The film beings in a black and white sytle, setting the scene in Prague. Here, Bond has been sent on a mission to gain his '00' status. In order for him to complete his mission, he must carry out two kills. Dryden, the MI6 chief, has been 'selling secrets', meaning that Bond killed his contact Fisher. Eventually, he kills Dryden, earning him '00' status, thus beginning a fantastic titles scene (it is spectacular the way cards are used for weapons etc). After this, we see an evil looking man (his scar gives it away), called Le Chiffre, who is trying to persuade a Guerrila group to give him their money, so he can look after it. However, the group are unaware that Le Chiffre is actually using it to make personal gains for himself, by putting betting against the stocks of 'Skyfleet'.

For James' first mission, he is sent to the tropical paradise of Madagascar, where he must locate a bomb maker, and to eventually discover who he is working for. This entire scene is one of the best parts in the film. The free running is mind blowing, really setting the standards for action films. Bond captures the bomb maker, but is surrounded by Nambutu troops, consequently having to hand over the man. Just as he does, Bond shoots him in the chest, killing him, then shoots a barrel which explodes, causing everyone to fall to their knees. Bond makes a quick escape.

'M' is furious with Bond because the news has spread that he had killed an 'unarmed prisoner'. However, Bond managed to retrieve the bomb maker's back pack, and searched his phone. He discovers that someone has been contacting him from the Bahamas. This is his next mission.

Cue a subtle 'James Bond' theme, as a spectaculaur setting is being displayed before us. As he arrives, he discovers someone called Alex Dimitrios, who has had links with Le Chiffre. Bond then meets his wife Solange, and purposefully seduces her to find out information about her husband. She reveals he is travelling to Miami Airport. As he reaches him, Bond skillfully kills him with his own knife, and tracks down one of Le Chiffre's henchman, who is planning to blow up the new 'Skyfleet' plane. The airport scene is another great part of the film, ensuing death defying action stunts and of course, Bond manages to foil the terrorist's plan, killing him in the process. Le Chiffre's plan is ruined.

Le Chiffre is now under BIG pressure to get his clients money back, so decides to put everything into a private poker game, held at the Casino Royale in Montenegro. If he loses this game, he's finished. MI6 decided to enter Bond into the tournament, because 'M' thinks he is the best player in the service. However, Bond fails at first to win the game, with Le Chiffre gaining his pot. Vesper Lynd (the official Bond girl who controls 'the money') refuses to put more money back into the game. This makes James angry, making him almost kill Le Chiffre with a dinner knife. He is stopped in his tracks by a man who works for the CIA, promising Bond the money to get back into the game.

Withe Bond playing again, he is more confident than ever, making Le Chiffre very nervous. This pays off as Bond beats him, causing Le Chiffre to lose ALL his money...silly boy! Bond does this in style though, with a pair of aces. Angered by his loss, he kidnaps the Bond girl, with James foolishly chasing after her, causing him to come to a car crash (what a lovely car...and it's all gone..... )

Le Chiffre proceeds to torture Bond, asking for the access code (so he can get the money to give to his clients). However, Bond refuses, saying he'll never give him the code. This make Le Chiffre angry, causing him to torture Bond further, but before he gets too far, Mr White (the guerrilla group's middleman) enters, telling Le Chiffre it's over, and shoots him in the head, leaving James and Vespa alive.

Bond awakes to a beautiful setting, only knowing the truth about Mathis (he double crossed Bond), resulting in Mathisd being took away...eh hem...painfully. Bond now starts to think that being in the service is destroying him, and tells Vesper he loves her. He then tells her he is going to resign, and sends a notification via email to MI6. However, as James and Vesper start a new life together, he discovers that the money was never transferred into the account, knowing that only Vesper could have something to do with it. He tracks her down within the streets of Venice. At this point, James has cornered her and the people she was working for into a ruined building, causing Bond to shoot the balloon type bags that hold the stucture together. As he does this, water starts to rush in, causing the building to collapse into the canal. Vesper cant forgive herself for what she has done to Bond, and locks herself in the lift carriage, eventually drowning. However, Bond can't help but rescue her, only to find out it's too late. This part of the film was quite upsetting, as I liked Vesper, and it was clear she hated what she did to Bond. This causes him to never trust someone again, as he feels betrayed by someone he thought loved him.

However, M reveals that she was doing it to protect her boyfriend who was being held captive. This tells us and Bond that Vesper wasn't as bad as we had all thought. Determined to avenge his near fatal mission, he seeks out Mr White, and shoots him in the leg. As Mr White crawls to the steps of a very lovely villa, the theme tune slowly seeps into action, with Bond appearing at the steps. He then utters the famous words "The names Bond....James Bond" The classic theme tune then bursts into life...ending the film. This really was the perfect move for the film makers to create, as it shows that Daniel Craig has grown into the role, respectively earning the right to call himself James Bond.

SPECIAL EDITION DVD:

As I said before, this DVD goes perfectly with the film, showing high standards of film quality. It includes 2 discs, one for the film, and the other which has all the special features. It is supported by a special case, which allows the plastic case to slot in and out of it. On the back, it has a long description of the film, capturing certain screenshots of Bond's best moments, with a critic review from The Daily Telegrpah, "The best Bond for decades". The features that are on the second disc are:

Becoming Bond - The world wide search for the next James Bond. Included many interviews with the one and only Daniel Craig.

Bond Girls Are Forever - The history of Bond girls and how famous they really are. A treat for the men!

James Bond: For Real - Follows the stunts and the journey of Casino Royale.

Chris Cornell Music Video - The original music video for Casino Royale (included theme tune).

My final words:

If you havent watched this film, then I strongly advise you to either rent or buy this film IMMEDIATELY, as it delivers great performances, action and style, something every Bond film should have. Ignore any negativity from people about this film because it really does show that critics arent always right, and that they should only give their criticism once they have viewed the film (taking note all crtitcs out there!) Also, it clearly shows that the Bond franchise is alive and kicking. Well done to all involved and the magnificent Daniel Craig!