Kiwi shakes up Bond

Hastings-born director Martin Campbell has created the best James Bond film since the days of Sean Connery, according to ecstatic critics from over the world. Variety: “Casino Royale sees Bond himself recharged with fresh toughness and arrogance, along with balancing hints of sadism and humanity, just as the fabled series is reinvigorated by going back to the basics.” BBC: “Casino Royale is a 1,000 watt volt to the heart of a flagging franchise, bringing Bond kicking – and frequently screaming – back to life.” Starring new Bond Daniel Craig, Casino Royale is designed to reboot rather than preclude the rest of the series. “The point about this story is that he’s much more human,” says Campbell in an interview with Movie Web. “The idea was that when you go back to basics with Bond, he’s a much younger Bond and a different Bond.” Based in the UK, Campbell’s films include The Mask of Zorro, Vertical Limit and previous Bond instalment, Goldeneye.