By Ryan Parsons | Image property of Columbia Pictures.
Casino Royale
Some of Bond's biggest supporters are bound to be found in the United Kingdom. When it was announced that a blonde-haired, blue-eyed Daniel Craig was going to play Bond in Casino Royale, the supporters quickly turned hostile.
It makes sense then that the early reviews to come out of the UK should carry some added weight, especially considering it will be these reviews that are the most finicky. Though we did assume at least some negativism from UK publications, they have so far loved the film.
Casino Royale: British Reviews
The Times and The Mirror both agree that Daniel Craig is the new Bond and that Casino Royale serves as a wonderful kickoff to a new and improved franchise.
The Times
Daniel Craig has come through with flying colours as Ian Fleming’s sadistic secret agent in Casino Royale.
The 21st film in the series takes Bond back to his earlier years and his first assassination. He dispenses with the usual gadgets in favour of a ruthlessness and athleticism that is reminiscent of Sean Connery, the first screen 007.
Craig’s performance rescues the franchise from the trough into which it had fallen in the last outing, Die Another Day, which despite a good box-office seemed as vacuous as Bond’s invisible car. Many thought it was time for Pierce Brosnan to disappear, too.
The Mirror
Make no mistake, the rulebook has been well and truly torn up for 007's latest movie.
And Casino Royale is a breathless, thrilling romp that will win over a whole new generation of fans.
Easily the best Bond film since GoldenEye, it's 144 minutes of non-stop, end-to-end action that proves there's plenty of life in the world's longest-running movie franchise.
But a word of warning - this is unlike any other Bond flick. Dark, gritty and surprisingly violent, the suave, smooth-talking secret agent of old is replaced by a steely-eyed killer with a dash of vulnerability.
Winning over the Brits, huge accomplishment. Now let's hope that the film wins audiences over in the states as well.
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