007

In the book Casino Royale, Ian Fleming paints the picture of an agent who is very good at being an agent because he's sadistic, uncaring, egotistical, selfish, and exquisitely capable. Sean Connery did a fairly good job of capturing these qualities in the movie Dr. No (in particular, the "That's a Smith and Wesson, and you've had your six" scene; sweet, sweet Bond cruelty), but by the time you get to Thunderball, the edge has dropped away, and he's playing the Bond that Moore, Dalton, and Brosnan would have to live up to: smooth, glib, charming, composed. Fair enough; that character sells movies.

In the movie Casino Royale (yes, the 2006 version), Director Martin Campbell, obviously trying to make up for Golden Eye, has returned to the old school Bond, and his muse, Daniel Craig, does not disappoint. He's ruggedly handsome, very capably fit, and cold, cold, cold. This is a man who is very good at being an agent for the very reasons Fleming wrote. This is a man very well-suited to his career. This is a 00 agent.

The movie is, in short, very good. It quickly moves into an absolutely astounding chase through construction sites, streets, and an embassy; do not show up late to the movie, or you'll miss some amazing action. It does not keep up this pace throughout the film, however, and you may be forgiven for looking at your watch once or twice as it drags through the slow bits. Don't worry, it pulls back together.

Four thumbs up.