There’s nothing wrong with a classic Bond story. The cars, women and clothes are all beautiful. And then there’s Bond who is a cool spy but also a bit of a dick really. The number of suit buttons or the tone might change, but Bond is Bond. You’re onboard with that or you’re not.
Back in the 00s however, Bond was in trouble. Die Another Died was a dud, compounded by releasing around the same time as The Bourne Identity. The cracks were showing and Bond needed to change. So what could Daniel Craig and Casino Royale do?
A love story! A maladjusted orphan given purpose and skills by his Government so he could serve Queen and Country with indifference and force. But what happens when that trained emotional indifference is stripped away? All to the backdrop of thrilling action and a high stakes poker game?
What happens is you get my favourite Bond film.
Before Craig’s Bond was consistently questioned about his competency and belonging, he was a newly minted 007. Casino Royale gives us a starting point of an almost thuggish agent holding a disdain for everything from the suits he wears to the people he meets. He is literally a blunt instrument, bulldozing his way through walls in pursuit of a parkour bomber. No care given to anything or anyone.
But then he meets his match, and it isn’t some maniac with thoughts of world domination. Eva Green’s Vesper Lynd leaves a mark that remains across all of Craig’s tenure. She’s stunning, smart, and given space to be a fully formed character. Far more than another conquest, her questioning of Bond’s ways, and her emotional vulnerability, changes how he looks at things. She also gives us as the audience a means to learn about what’s going on. It might not be the most realistic game of poker, but having some explanation is useful. It’s a very cool game of Poker at least.
The story of Bond’s growth is strong, but we’re for all the cool stuff too. The clothing, cars, and gadgets are all important in making Bond Bond. Back in Aston territory, the classic DB5 makes an appearance, whilst the Vanquish gets an amazing stunt. Bar a small defibrillator there aren’t any gadgets. Then there’s the clothes, which looking back have definitely inspired my dress sense. His casual wear is lovely; you can’t underestimate a good cardigan and pair of shoes. Bond’s suits aren’t quite to my liking here, with the final suit being actually quite messy in the details. The next film would be the sweet spot when it comes to Craig and clothing.
My quibbles are minor. The product placement is obvious verging on obnoxious. Sony tech is constantly in your face and sort of makes sense, but I don’t need ten seconds of Ford Mondeo. Pistol shots shouldn’t be throwing people over the back of chairs. And I’m pretty sure Bond’s CPR is atrocious.
All that doesn’t matter when you have a little itch that needs attending to though. Yes, this was a blonde Bond, and he wasn’t what we all expected just yet. But it’s bloody good.
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