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Parents' Guide to

Casino Royale (2006)

By Cynthia Fuchs, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Darker than usual Bond; too violent for tweens.

Movie PG-13 2006 144 minutes
Casino Royale (2006) Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 21 parent reviews

nehanhewitt
nehanhewitt Parent of 12-year-old
October 16, 2021
age 12+

The BEST James Bond Movie Created

This movie is the best James Bond movie, especially for poker lovers! Lots of action and violence. My kids watched this movie and loved it. I think that it might be a little mature for under 12 year olds but still fine.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
dnava
dnava Parent
December 27, 2020
age 12+
See all 21 parent reviews

What's the Story?

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. Bond's early 007 adventures involve all manner of brutality and rule-breaking, as he fixes on his targets with unshakable ferocity. 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. And then he destroys much of the Miami Airport in order to stop a bomb's explosion. 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. 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.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (21 ):
Kids say (103 ):

This Bond is cunning and even elegant, providing the franchise with a much-needed shot of raw energy. But although the details are right, Casino Royale is bogged down by the plot, which spends too much time on the poker game and a montage sequence version of Bond and Vesper's inevitable romance. Such generic diversions detract from Craig's strengths, which are based in deft gestures, nuanced glances, and the deadpan delivery of the occasional joke. (Asked whether he wants his martini shaken or stirred, Bond looks annoyed: "Do I look like I give a damn?") This Bond -- fast, mean, and vulnerable enough to appeal to a new generation of fans -- will likely revive the franchise. By the time of the next installment, perhaps the script will keep up with him.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what makes Bond so appealing. What does his behavior in Casino Royale say about images of manliness?

  • How does the movie characterize this new Bond as both ruthless and charismatic? Who's your favorite Bond?

Movie Details

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