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Rebooting Bond by Mike-oh

Daniel Craig was given a liscense to kill all other James Bonds.

Casino Royale. In 1952, Ian Fleming began writing Casino Royale, a pulpish spy novel that was driven by the force of its main character, James Bond. In 1962, Fleming's Bond would thrill movie goers in the first of a long run of classic action films. That first film was titled Dr. No and featured the incomparable Sean Connery in the role of his life. It introduced audiences to a Bond that was already a seasoned pro. If anyone wanted to know about Bond's background and history, they had to pick up Fleming's novels. The next movie continued on a path going forward instead of looking back. This trend continued for the next 44 years. Until now.

Casino Royale has finally brought James Bond's personal story to the big screen. It is, in many ways, like Frank Miller's Batman: Year One. It drops all the baggage of previous Bond movies to tell the story of how James Bond got his start. Moments of his past only hinted at before are played out completely in Casino Royale.

The movie starts with a very stylish black and white sequence where Bond makes his second official kill. Apparently it takes to kills to become a "double 0", as in "double 0 seven."

This James Bond is cocky and arrogant and has the chops to back up his bravado. He gets the drop on "M" in her own home and uses her log-in credentials to break into MI6's network, proving to his boss that he's not just attitude, he's truly dangerous.

The movie also includes what can be assumed to be the first time James Bond ordered his trademark martini. Overhearing his formula for slaking his thirst, three more guys at the poker table order likewise.

James also meets Felix, his CIA counterpart, for the first time. Drives an Astin Martin for the first time. And meets a woman that he genuinely falls in love with for the first time. Vesper Lynd is that woman. And their relationship makes this the most romantic Bond movie ever.

But it's not just romance and first moments that make Casino Royale a success. Director Martin Campbell along with screenwriters Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis & Robert Wade strip away the silly gadgets, corny one liners, gratuitous sex scenes, and ridiculous performances by support characters and replace it with believable action, gritty drama, and genuine, heart-wrenching suspense.

None of which would have been possible without the stellar performance of Daniel Craig. I heard grumblings of whether or not this guy could be the next Bond. Too blonde. Too ugly. Too short. Craig has shut everone's mouth. A quick review of Internet chatrooms and fan sites reveals almost totally unanimous acceptance of Craig as the new Bond. And I'm here to second that motion. Let's hope that Craig gets to play this role for many years to come. But perhaps more importantly, let's hope he continues to get excellent scripts and direction in his future outing as 007.

And this is an important point. Consider Roger Moore's history. When he first played James Bond in Live and Let Die, he played it totally straight and audiences loved him for it. And then for some reason, the role became campier and campier until 8 years later Moore was playing a total parody of himself in the comedy Cannonball Run. And he still starred in three more Bond movies after that. Similarly, I believe Pierce Brosnan's run as Bond was plagued by inconsistencies in his scripts that had him playing hard core against comedy with equal aplomb in each of his films.

It's encouraging to see those entrusted with the Bond Legacy taking it seriously for a change. I can't wait to see what they do next.

So, what do you think? Agree? Disagree? Give us your feedback.