Casino Royale

4/4 stars

It's great to see a lot of what this movie brings to the 007 baccarat table: a renewal for the franchise, a story worth paying attention to and a longer running time (my taste in how long a movie should be runs closer to three hours than two). Daniel Craig resembles both Connery and the grittier Bond of the books, and he was a great choice. The only thing the movie is missing would be the baccarat, replaced with nonsensical poker action, making you wonder who the change is meant to please.

Written June 26, 2007.