Our Take Two column offers second opinions and alternative angles on films and TV series reviewed elsewhere on Motion State. Head here for our original review of Casino Royale.
Heck, we even spun a conspiracy theory about Bond and Star Wars that only broke recently, now that the tables are turned and Star Wars is suddenly the more prolific franchise of the two. But Peter Quiller is a spy, and a damn good one to boot. The film opens with a stark, memorable sequence of a man plodding cautiously down a dark, quiet street.
He looks around constantly, fearing that the hidden blade might finally come from the shadows. Cautious, quiet.
He enters a phone booth and reaches for the receiver when bam! These are installments, and if this particular one stinks then we still have the next one to look forward to or the previous one to rewatch. Of the three Daniel Craig Bond films, two have been received with applause from audiences and critics alike. Royale has changed the game as far Bond films go.
No more completely preposterous gadgets or literally impossible feats are featured in this film. No more corny lines and no more maniacal, manacle-wearing, super-genius super-villains. Daniel Craig is stupendous in this film. He fully embodies the perhaps overly confident, womanizing alcoholic who, at the same time, wears a badge of courage and integrity at almost all times.
