It sometimes becomes a little embarrassing to be a hard-core Bond fan, as if you are not only appreciating a cult action hero, but embracing the subtext of sexism and womanising at the same time. Pierce Brosnan’s movies are incredible in their own tongue-in-cheek way, but the franchise has nose-dived into the realms of pure male fantasy. These days, James Bond is more akin to a guilty pleasure. Looking back, a few of the older films played it a little safe, Roger Moore especially bringing out the same movie seven times, without stepping outside of the formula too often. Back in the 70s and 80s, there was a reason that it was pretty much a safe bet for any production company.

James Bond used to be one of the greatest franchises out there.

Plot: Someone’s is manipulating terrorists and their banks to profit from global crises, causing MI6 to send in a fresh-faced spy (Craig) to take him down. Here Bond is aided by stunningly beautiful Bond Girl and British treasury operative Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), earnest CIA agent Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright), and dapper MI6 agent Mathis (Giancarlo Giannini), though Bond gets impatient when they cramp his style.Cast: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Giancarlo Giannini, Caterina Murino, Isaac De Bankole, Sebastian Foucan with Jeffrey Wright and Judi Dench All of this is warm-up for the big showdown with the requisite dastardly, damaged villain Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), which centers around a high-stakes poker game. And then he destroys much of the Miami Airport in order to stop a bomb's explosion. First he chases one man through the 'Nambutu Embassy' in Madagascar, wreaking havoc and, as M puts it, violating 'the only inviolate rule of international relations.' Later, he beds a villain's wife (Caterina Murino) to extract information, leaving her open to terrible retribution.

Bond's early 007 adventures involve all manner of brutality and rule-breaking, as he fixes on his targets with unshakable ferocity. Starring Daniel Craig as Secret Agent 007, director Martin Campbell's CASINO ROYALE takes viewers back to James Bond's beginnings, when M ( Judi Dench) elevates him to the extra-special rank of 007.

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