October 24, 2006. Copyright 2006, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Casino Royale: Bond goes back to his beginnings
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, October 24, Graphic News:  To anyone tempted to ask whether the world really needs another Bond movie, Casino Royale might just have the answer. Secret agent 007Õs latest outing is set not just to please Bond purists unhappy about the emphasis on overblown special effects of the last few films, but also to give a fresh insight into the character and even explain how he got his license to kill.

Perhaps predictably, the run-up to the movie based on Ian FlemingÕs first Bond novel has been overshadowed by controversy. The choice of Daniel Craig for the lead has been a particular bugbear, with the press claiming that the 38-year-old is not handsome enough to play the Martini-swilling smoothie. But others say that Craig, who replaces Pierce Brosnan, is perfect for a story that portrays the agent as having rougher edges.

In many ways, Casino Royale is Bond business as usual. The agentÕs first ever 007 mission leads him to Madagascar and ultimately to Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), the unscrupulous banker to terrorist organizations, including RussiaÕs SMERSH. When Bond is instructed to beat him in a game of poker at the Casino Royale, M (Judi Dench) sends Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) from the Treasury to deliver his stake and keep an eye on him.

At first cool, Bond soon warms up to the beautiful Vesper as the pair face terrifying attacks on their lives by Le Chiffre. Their struggle to survive and to destroy his deadly organisation culminates in a torture scene that is reportedly not for the squeamish.

Casino Royale, the 21st Bond movie made by EON Productions, reportedly has fewer weak jokes and fewer spectacular stunts than, for example, Die Another Day or The World is Not Enough. Directed by Martin Campbell and written by a team including HollywoodÕs current hot favourite, Paul Haggis, Casino Royale is a grittier, more violent spy tale in which Bond gets to spend time with the girl and even evolve as a character.

To some extent, interest in the film has to do with the fact that its story predates others we have already seen: it includes a sequence showing how Bond first earns his 007 credentials after two high-profile assassinations, and introduces characters, such as M and CIA agent Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright), who are familiar to us from other movies.

As the second highest grossing franchise of all time (after Star Wars) no Bond movie is going to bomb at the box office, but for its makers the stakes are still high. James Bond is practically public property and no one wants to get it wrong.

So, gritty or not, Casino Royale features plenty of exotic locations, natty gadgets, beautiful women -- and the original Aston Martin DBS. If thatÕs not enough to tempt you, there are rumours that it even reveals why Bond likes his Martini shaken, not stirred.
/ENDS


RELEASE DATES

Nov 14: World premiere, London, UK
Nov 15: Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Philippines, United Arab Emirates 	
Nov 16: Czech Republic, Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Syria 	
Nov 17: Canada, China, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States 	
Nov 22: Belgium, France, Switzerland (French speaking region)
Nov 23: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Japan (Tokyo International Cine City Festival), Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland (German speaking region)
Nov 24: Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Romania, Spain, Sweden
Dec 01: Japan, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa 	
Dec 07: Australia, Chile, Hungary, Peru, Thailand 	
Dec 08: Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela 	
Dec 15: Brazil, India 	
Dec 21: Hong Kong 	
Dec 25: Bolivia, Uruguay 	
Dec 26: New Zealand 	
Jan 04: Argentina 	
Jan 19: Italy