With the help of The Geek Files editor, David Bentley; here's the article with my opinion about the cinema's newest James Bond, Daniel Craig; his first film, Casino Royale, & my top five favorite 007 films.
Some rabid Bond fans have given it to me hard on the chin on various message boards for my opinions. I felt I had some great takes and opinions worth writing about based on my years of following this character... and I stand by them.
Next Bond film must cash in on Casino Royale's winning gamble
AFTER 2002's Die Another Day was reviled by critics, many fans and by veteran Bond star Roger Moore - despite being the highest-grossing 007 adventure at that time - producers admitted they wanted to return to the traditional formula.They hit reset and the result was 2006's Casino Royale with Daniel Craig as a more craggy, edgy 007.
It was swiftly followed by direct sequel Quantum of Solace. The next instalment - so far known only as Bond 23 - is on hold while studio MGM is up for sale so it's the perfect time to look back on Bond and find the winning formula for the next film.
In this guest article, actor/writer/producer and self-confessed movie and comic book geek Danny Arroyo - whose upcoming films include Kill Katie Malone, Groupie, and Repo Chick, which was featured on here last November - takes a look at which Bond movies deserve a license to thrill...
MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN: Actor Danny Arroyo has an OO-momentBy Danny Arroyo
CASINO ROYALE... One word... AMAZING.
It is the type of Bond film all Bond fans have been waiting for. No more cute, wink wink, laugh-out-loud unbelievable moments we've all grown tired of with previous Bond films.
What Casino Royale gave us was a much more real film, with real-life consequences, and added a load of action. Awesome.
Daniel Craig has taken the Bond character and ran away with it. I never saw a more believable Bond character since the early films of Sean Connery.
Ian Fleming's intentions and spirit for the story and character were taken into major consideration, and the results were nothing but positive. Not that those campy types of Bond films weren't fun to watch (I am a huge Roger Moore fan), but Ian Fleming purists have been waiting since Sean Connery for a person to play James Bond just like his books were written.
Daniel Craig takes the Bond character back to his early days before he is granted the infamous double-O status.
Casino Royale's Bond is an unrefined, reckless, unpolished, aggressive, injury prone, cold blooded killer. In essence, a raw piece of meat, that as the film goes on, he gains more experience and becomes this prime piece of A-grade sirloin.
All the famous Bond signatures we've all come to love and expect are not an original part of Bond's (Daniel Craig's) nature, but gradually is discovered and falls into place at the right moments through his experiences. The journey it takes to get him there is the most fun to watch.
What makes Bond such a fan favorite in the past was the way the writers and directors romanticized the character. Bond always had the best gadgets, cool clothes, money, he traveled, had women galore, he was smooth, and he could fight and play a mean game of cards. Who wouldn't want to be him? It sounds like quite the life.
Casino Royale took it one step further and said, "What kind of man emotionally would it take to be a double-O agent and what are the dangers involved in such an exciting career?"
Casino Royale's Bond is bruised, bloodied, beaten, stabbed, poisoned and tortured on several occasions. He walks around for half the film covered in bruises, scabs and scars.
He is very detached from his feelings and makes a clear statement how he prefers married women because it is less complicated. If he does find love, he falls hard and with full commitment. Any kind of betrayal would pierce his very soul, so Bond's comfort zone lies in simply trusting and relying only on himself.
With no family and friends to speak of, Bond is truly a man alone, living on a razor's edge, without a care for life and limb, which makes him the perfect candidate to become a double-O agent.
It is important to remember that Casino Royale is supposed to be about Bond before he become the James Bond we've all grown to know and love. It's his first time being a double-O agent. This is why the writers took liberties with the opening gun barrel scene, the vodka martini - "Does it look like I give a damn?" scene, the Aston Martin, being taught how to wear a good tuxedo, and the infamous quote, "Bond, James Bond". I found it a great choice for a very old and established character. We get to see how Bond becomes Bond. Think Batman Begins, which was another great reboot of a franchise.
The recent Quantum of Solace film forgot the successful formula they used with Casino Royale, and focused more on the action. Bond is more than just his dangerous action-filled missions and the many beautiful women he meets; otherwise, he is just simply another action hero.
Casino Royale is one of the best Bond film to come out in decades and ranks in my top three of James Bond films of all time.
My Favorite Top 5 James Bond Films and Key Bond Moments
1) From Russia With Love - The best rendition of a Fleming novel. A perfect definition of a pure spy novel and film. Key Bond Moment(s): The cabin room/train fight and Rosa Klebb's poison-spiked shoe.
2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service - A very underrated Bond film because of George Lazenby, who did a great job IMO. Key Bond Moment: Bond falling in love, getting married, and losing his wife.
3) Casino Royale - Daniel Craig is vicious, brutal and just the right infusion the Bond series needed. Key Bond Moment(s): The opening chase scene, the Texas Hold Em Poker scenes, and the rope torture scene.
4) For Your Eyes Only - Roger Moore's most real depiction of Bond. Key Bond Moment(s): Kicking the car off the cliff, Bond escaping on skis from the bad guys riding motorcycles, and being tied and dragged by boat through shark-infested waters.
5) Goldfinger - Sean Connery at his best and having fun in the process. Key Bond Moment(s): The gold-painted dead girl, any scenes with OddJob, and hearing Connery say "Hello Pussy". 
