- Film Review
- Reviewed By Adam Smith
-
4 out of 5
Daniel Craig effortlessly makes James Bond his own as the 21st movie in the series goes back to basics for a resoundingly entertaining spy adventure. GoldenEye director Martin Campbell injects some Bourne-style grit into the proceedings, upping the violence content (the opening sequence, shot in grainy black and white, is particularly brutal). He also strips Bond of much of the slightly camp humour - thus no appearance from gadget-man Q. The plot is essentially an origins story, as a rough-around-the-edges Bond gains his two zeros (the two authorised kills he needs for his infamous licence) before tackling villain Le Chiffre (a splendidly thin-lipped Mads Mikkelsen) in a game of high-stakes poker. Craig's humanised, more flawed interpretation of the role balances Campbell's physical direction and co-writer Paul Haggis's sparing wit, while Eva Green provides an alluring love interest. Apart from a chaotic and overlong last act, this is a triumphant new beginning.
Plot Summary
Spy adventure starring Daniel Craig in his first appearance as 007. James Bond is awarded his licence to kill and sets off in pursuit of Le Chiffre, a corrupt banker who finances terrorism. Realising that the desperate Le Chiffre needs to win big on the gaming tables of Montenegro to pay off a dangerous client, Bond formulates a plan to ruin him in a high-stakes poker game.
Cast and crew
Cast
- James Bond
- Daniel Craig
- Vesper Lynd
- Eva Green
- Le Chiffre
- Mads Mikkelsen
- Felix Leiter
- Jeffrey Wright
- M
- Judi Dench
- Rene Mathis
- Giancarlo Giannini
- Solange
- Caterina Murino
- Alex Dimitrios
- Simon Abkarian
- Mr White
- Jesper Christensen
- Valenka
- Ivana Milicevic
- Villiers
- Tobias Menzies
- Mollaka
- Sébastien Foucan
- Steven Obanno
- Isaach de Bankole
- Madame Wu
- Tsai Chin
- Gräfin von Wallenstein
- Veruschka
- Chief of Police
- Michael G Wilson
- Man at airport
- Richard Branson
Crew
- Director
- Martin Campbell
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