By Amy Magro
When it was announced that the newest James Bond-to-be was blonde-haired and blue-eyed, people freaked. Even before Daniel Craig put on the traditional tux or practiced saying those three magic words, people hated him – and his damn blonde hair.,”
When it was announced that the newest James Bond-to-be was blond and blue-eyed, people freaked. Even before Daniel Craig put on the traditional tux or practiced saying those three magic words, people hated him – and his damn blond hair.
Right away, people who obviously have no jobs and too much time dedicated an entire Web site to protesting Craig. First and foremost, he had the wrong hair – sacrilegious. He never had had a leading role – amateur. He couldn't even drive stick shift – idiot.
Forget about the last few horrible Bond movies and how invisible cars were actually part of the plot. Invisible. Cars.
According to the blond-haters, Craig was finished even before he started.
It really must suck being so wrong.
Not only did Craig nail the role as the secret agent, "Casino Royale" is one of the best Bond films in years.
The movie starts with Bond just receiving his "00" status. The first action scene takes place in Uganda where Bond is spying on a known terrorist. The chase that ensues is remarkable (despite Craig wearing an aloha shirt) and while no other scene in the movie measures up to the first few minutes, the film is still action-packed and fast-paced.
After his initial mission goes awry, 'M' (Judi Dench) questions if Bond is the right man for the job and places him on time-out. Contrary to orders, Bond follows a lead to the Bahamas, working alone. The trail eventually leads to corrupt banker, Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), who funds international terrorists. Bond, with help from the beautiful British government agent Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) who is supplying the betting money, must stop Le Chiffre from winning a high-stakes poker tournament at Casino Royale in Montenegro.
Based on Ian Fleming's first novel, the film sheds some light on 007's secrets, like why he takes his martinis shaken, not stirred.
The relationship that begins to develop between Bond and Lynd may seem a little out of place, considering we know about Bond's womanizing. But as the movie ends, we learn why a more sensitive Bond never keeps the same woman too long at his side … or in his bed. It's the same thing, really.
Craig was able to bring a bit of mystique, humor, vulnerability and a really nice body to the role of James Bond. Anticipation builds as we wait for Craig to utter the Bond catchphrase, and when the time comes, he nails it, just like he did his first major role.
"Casino Royale" will play on Friday at 9 p.m. and Saturday at 6 and 9 p.m. at the Varsity Theatre. It's $2 with your MUID.
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