Casino Royale

Aroview: The James Bond franchise finds a new face, goes back to the very beginning, and rediscovers its mojo, with new Bond Daniel Craig and Kiwi dir. Martin Campbell presenting a tougher, more believable 007 - downplaying gadgetry and womanizing in favour of a script that dares to surprise, and even allow its secret agent to fall in love.

After winning disfavour for overstepping the bounds, the secret service reluctantly re-employs Bond to play in a high stakes gambling session against a villainous banker. Despite the ludicrous-sounding plotline and the odd awkward gear change, this scores most for its courage in daring to walk the tightrope of a man who is simultaneously heroic fantasy and cold-blooded problem child.

Based on the first Ian Fleming novel published in 1953.

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