The film opens with Bond making his first kill as a 00 agent and after that he is sent to Madagascar to spy on a terrorist involved with the evil money-laundering expert Le Chiffre. The film proceeds at an astonishingly fast pace in an incredible action set piece that recalls the opening of many Hong Kong martial arts films starring any number of greats like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li. Bond races after a terrorist and in the process destroys an entire ship-building yard.
The terrorist he chases is the creator of the free running and jumping aerobatic Le Parkour, Sebastien Foucan. The physical art form he created, Le Parkour, is heavily influenced by Asian philosophy; as Foucan says, "The art of moving from one place to another with fluidity allows you to see your environment differently. The quest's goal is to become a part of the environment in order to develop your mind and body." Le Parkour is best demonstrated by closely watching the opening free running chase scene, trying to keep your eyes on Foucan during the chase. Even though wires were clearly used in some of the chase scene shots, most moves were pure Parkour, and it is a delight to behold. One could not imagine any Bond other than Craig's — even Sean Connery's — able to keep up with Foucan. This is a brilliant chase scene that sets the tone for the rest of the film. Another appropriate title for this film could have been Run Bond, Run.
Bond is next sent on a mission to infiltrate a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro to compete with Le Chiffre and other gazillionaires. Le Chiffre provides a global money-laundering service to the world's terrorist organizations, and he must win this game to pay back all the despots he has laundered money for before they kill him for it.
Bond girl, Vesper Lynd (played by the inexperienced Eva Green, who looks like she still belongs in high school, not traipsing around Europe with Bond) is sent along as the representative of Her Majesty's Treasury to keep tabs on Bonds' bids. No Bond film would be complete without the girl, but in this Bond film the girl never takes her clothes off. In this film it is Bond who keeps taking his shirt off - to the audiences' great enjoyment.
During the poker game, one hour breaks are taken and it is during these times that Bond's life is continuously threatened by Le Chiffre's minions with poison and stairwell gun battles. When Bond loses his stake in the game, and Lynd refuses to up his ante, he is staked by CIA agent Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright), who has also been playing in the game but knows he cannot win. Bond eventually squeaks out a win in the game and Le Chiffre repays him in a horrific torture scene that belies the fairness of the MPAA's PG-13 rating.
Article comments
1 - Dr Blockbuster
Dr Blockbuster flew himself and kilt into Leicester Square, London last Tuesday for the World Premiere ... this new Bond is great!!!!
Daniel Craig gave it 120%
The film is that good I've seen it twice already AND going back for more..... so GO SEE IT !!!
As for Sir Sean Connery, I attended his birthday BAFTA in Edinburgh on 25 August when Sir Sean gave Daniel his full support:
"On Daniel Craig he was most positive. He said "No" Craig had not asked him for advice and neither would he expect him to. He said that the press was giving Craig a hard time for no good reason ... he said the press was a law unto itself. He said Daniel Craig was an excellent actor and that he should be given a chance to perform. All this bad mouthing of Craig was unwarranted and why were all these people being so negative! Sir Sean could hardly have talked of Craig in higher repect"
2 - janet planet
You are so right Dr Blockbuster... and so is Sir Sean! Besides being a treat for the eyes, Daniel Craig is an excellent actor. I expect many years of great Bond films from him to come.
Have you seen his performance as killer Perry Smith in Infamous? His intensity dripped off of the screen.
3 - Dr Blockbuster
Hi Janet
No, I have not seen Daniel Craig in Infamous, but I should because I think he is the best Bond since Sir Sean Connery!
I have now seen the new Bond film twice and going for more next week
Do you know of my story regarding Sir Sean Connery and The Gulf Conspiracy by Ken McClure?