Movie Review: Casino Royale

Let me count the number of ways the new Bond is different from his predecessors:

1. He has the physique of a body builder.


2. He's not debonaire or suave ("How would you like your martini, sir? Shaken or stirred?" "I don't give a damn").


3. He gets a testicular whipping from the bad guys.


4. He doesn't get to use any of the gadgets in the car that has been placed at his disposal (not counting the medical kit).


5. He is more in touch with his emotional side.

Casino Royale is a very watchable movie just for these things. The poker game brought to mind Enter the Dragon -- competitors from all over the world assembling at the villain's lair (sort of), the presence of a friendly American, etc.

I have only one nit to pick: maybe I'm missing something, but with all the sophisticated means available to transfer money electronically, what was the need to do a physical handover at the climax?