--- title: "Casino Royale: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/casino-royale/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/casino-royale" critics_score: 81 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Casino Royale (2006): what the critics said Critics' score 81 from 9 reviews: 9 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. The consensus is firmly positive: most critics see Casino Royale as a successful return to a tougher, more human Bond. Praise centres on Daniel Craig, whose physical presence, roughness and vulnerability give the familiar character renewed dramatic weight. The reviews also welcome the reduced reliance on gadgets and quips, alongside action that helps establish character rather than simply interrupting the plot. The clearer storytelling and greater emotional seriousness are recurring strengths. The differences are mostly about how far the reinvention goes and how well the film sustains it. Reservations cluster around pacing and the final act, with some finding the closing stretch overlong or routine. The AV Club offers the clearest qualification, treating the change as tentative and questioning unnecessary plotting. Radio Times praises the supporting performances, while Total Film has minor reservations about the supporting elements. The spread remains narrow: these are disagreements within a broadly enthusiastic response. ## Empire — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 16 November 2006. The critic praises the film as a faithful adaptation of Fleming’s novel that renews the Bond franchise with gritty action, dramatic depth, and a compelling new lead in Daniel Craig. Some minor miscalculations are noted in the finale, but overall it is hailed as the most exciting Bond film in years. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/casino-royale-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Keith Uhlich Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 15 November 2006. The critic calls Casino Royale one of the good Bond films for its witty recontextualization of series elements and especially praises Daniel Craig's raw, rough performance as the best since Connery. They single out the film's charting of Bond's chilling renouncement of humanity as a highlight. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/casino-royale/) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 9 November 2006. The critic notes that Craig comes closer to Fleming's original conception than anyone since Connery, recharging the series with toughness and arrogance. The focus on a high-stakes card game and comprehensible plotting is praised. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2006/film/awards/casino-royale-2-1200512101/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 17 November 2006. The critic calls the film a shrewd and largely successful retooling that ups the reality quotient. Craig's performance is singled out as the most important and persuasive element. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-nov-17-et-casino17-story.html) ## Radio Times — Adam Smith Rating 4/5. Hails it as a triumphant new beginning for the franchise with Bourne-style grit, humanised Bond and strong supporting turns. Notes the overlong and chaotic final act as a minor flaw. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-x0bxv7/casino-royale/) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 17 November 2006. The critic praises the film for refreshing the Bond franchise with a leaner, meaner and darker tone. Daniel Craig is singled out as an ideal fit for these grim times. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/17/movies/17roya.html) ## Total Film Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 19 November 2006. The review highlights the refreshed, back-to-basics approach with a harder-edged Bond, commending Daniel Craig’s physicality and commanding presence as the key to revitalizing the franchise. Minor complaints about pacing and supporting elements are outweighed by enthusiasm for the re-energized series. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/casino-royale-review/) ## The AV Club — Noel Murray Rating B. 16 November 2006. The critic views the film as a step in the right direction toward a messier, more realistic Bond but calls it only a small, tentative one. They praise the character-building purpose in the action sequences while noting issues with the superfluous plot and routine climax. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/casino-royale-1798202207) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 13 November 2006. The critic finds the film a mostly successful return to Fleming's roots with a leaner streak and strong action set pieces. Craig's performance is highlighted as key to making the character work. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/11/20/of-human-bondage-3) ## Screen Daily 6 November 2006. Describes it as a muscular, wildly successful attempt to strip the James Bond franchise back to basics with gritty realism, fuller characterisations and heart-thumping action. Praises the reinvention under Martin Campbell and the sharp contributions from the writing team. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/casino-royale/4029513.article) ## Sight and Sound — Roger Clarke Praises Daniel Craig's performance as a flawed, anxious and brutal Bond in this franchise reboot. Singles out the inventive action sequences revolving around architecture, including a building-site chase and the collapsing Venetian palazzo. [Read the review](http://old.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/review/3660) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw 10 November 2006. The critic hails Daniel Craig as a fantastic Bond and the best since Sean Connery, praising his effortless presence, lethal danger and ability to bring serious acting to an unserious role. The film is called ridiculously enjoyable for cutting back on smirking quips and gadgets while pumping up emotion and sado-masochism. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/nov/10/jamesbond.danielcraig) ## Time Out — Wally Hammond 14 November 2006. Calls it a highly enjoyable back-to-basics reboot of the 007 franchise with gritty realism and sharp, knowing dialogue. Singles out Eva Green's strong, equal sparring role as Vesper Lynd and the confident direction of the action sequences. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/casino-royale-1) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/casino-royale.md