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The twenty-first James Bond film has a new 007 (Daniel Craig) in the first story written by Ian Fleming. Touted as the most original Bond ever, it tells how Mr. Bond got his job.

James Bond’s first “007” mission leads him to Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), banker to the world’s terrorists. In order to stop him and bring down the terrorist network, Bond must beat Le Chiffre in a high-stakes poker game at Casino Royale. Bond is initially annoyed when a beautiful British Treasury official, Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) is assigned to deliver his stake for the game and watch over the government's money. But as Bond and Vesper survive a series of lethal attacks by Le Chiffre and his henchmen, a mutual attraction develops.

This film is a good example of why I hate giving pluses and minuses when it comes to the merits of a film. While I can objectively praise a film for its technical and artistic merits, some may feel that my honest opinion of those achievements is an endorsement. Come on, folks, it’s James Bond; I’m not going to attempt to promote James Bond. Though he’s fictional, he is brutal, a womanizer and a paid assassin with a penchant for cynical bon mots after a kill. What’s more, there’s usually some sexual imagery that I as a Christian can’t be sending you to. Though it’s okay in the secular world to have casual sex, basically using another person for their body, we as followers of Christ aren’t supposed to be doing that. So, my positive view of the production’s quality should not be misinterpreted as promotion. That said, this Bond is the best Bond ever.

The debonair and dangerous British secret agent is now played by Daniel Craig. From his previous roles and the fact that he’s blonde with blue eyes, I assumed he was the wrong choice to follow Mr. Brosnan. Once again, class, “Never assume.”

Mr. Craig fits the role to a tee. He’s buff and manly in appearance and able to portray brutal and witty like no one since Mr. Connery. Along with this satisfying casting, the script is a perfect blend of character defining, interesting plot, eye popping stunts, and incredible locales. And while it is still loaded with death-defying situations, there’s another ingredient usually eliminated from the filmed versions of Fleming’s novels – and that’s story and character development. I consider this Casino Royale to be the best Bond adventure since Goldfinger.

Well produced, well photographed and with lively pacing, the production is simply the perfect movie cocktail. Though suspension of disbelief is still needed by audience members, at least there are no invisible cars (Die Another Day). Even the score works. At one point, I thought, where’s the 007 theme? Then it hit me: “They’re reintroducing us to the character. I’ll bet they’re saving the theme for the end.” Sure enough, before that last shot fades, the big band blasts Bond’s musical entry, sending us all out to our own Astin Martins and exciting adventures on the way back to the suburbs.

I admit, my review is pretty tempting, isn’t it? Well, read the content, and then decide if you should heed the +4 or the -2.

Distributor: Columbia Pictures