Bond

MOVIE REVIEW
Casino Royale The latest James Bond returns to the beginning with an updated remake of the first of Ian Fleming's Bond stories. Incorporating post-Cold War realities and poker trendiness the story feels current. There are the usual outlandish events (the fuel truck racing around untouched on tarmac had me rolling my eyes repeatedly), two heavily made up and voluptuously clad women, a bad guy or two or three or four(?), and of course several heart pumping action sequences (including one guy whose strength and agility had me quite breathless). David felt the movie was long, but I was entertained throughout. The few ridiculous plot devices were overshadowed for me by the gorgeous scenery (leaning to David, "I want to go there for my next vacation"), a bit of backstory on Bond (played handsomely and convincingly if not quite so oozing-with-charm by Daniel Craig), and the overall sense that Bond is back. I have missed him.