James Bond returns to the silver screen with explosive style in his 21st film. Normally I don’t review movies after they’ve been out a week, but it was Thanksgiving, and to not speak of Bond would be betraying Queen and country.

Set before all the other Bond movies, we see James Bond’s journey to 00 status and his first assignment following his successful induction into MI6. The story begins in Madagascar, where Bond is trying to track down terrorist Mollaka, set in a post-Sept. 11 world. Although he is unable to bring the terrorist in alive, he is left with a sole clue: a one-word text message, “Ellipses.”

The trail leads to an international poker game at the exclusive Casino Royale, where Bond comes face-to-face with Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a mathematics genius who’s determined to win the poker match and claim the $150 million prize. The only thing standing between him and the financing of international terrorism is Bond and MI6’s financial backer, Vesper Lynd (Eva Green).

My first thoughts must be dedicated to the new bond, Daniel Craig. I believe in my heart this is truly the Bond that Ian Fleming visualized when he created the character more than 40 years ago: tough, independent and merciless.

Although I adore Pierce Brosnan’s Bond, he was just too damn likable. Too charming. Too funny. Bond isn’t meant to be a good guy, he’s meant to be just one step away from psychotic. He’s a killer, and too often this franchise has humanized him – luckily, this is not such a film. In fact, much of the movie is about Bond’s mission to shred himself of his humanity, a job made more complicated by the enigmatic Vesper Lynd.

Green, as the Bond girl, while not possessing of a name as sexually charged as Pussy Galore, still makes a magnificent foil for Bond. Their scene on the train is worth ticket price alone, crackling with sexual innuendoes and one-upmanship. With eyes so dark you can be lost in her sadness, Green certainly brings much needed spice to the movie.

She had great chemistry with Daniel Craig and still maintains her prowess as a modern women: smart, confident and independent throughout. There is one scene that is not only emotionally touching for Bond, but for cinemagoers in general, making her one of my favorite Bond girls to date.

In regards to this film’s “Bond girls,” this Bond is different – read: better – in his attitude toward women. It isn’t about passion or personal pleasure; it is always about his mission. Where other Bonds seduce the ladies for information then follow through for themselves, here Craig uses his charm to get what he wants.

But after that, he no longer needs them, casting them aside. You may think it’s cruel, but at least he’s honest with why he does it. Weren’t you tired of Bond falling in love with every single skirt he came upon? Lord knows I was!

I am a long-time Bond fanatic, and the above statement is exactly why Craig is simply the best Bond. It’s back to basics – no sci-fi weapons, no absurd gadgets (invisible car, anyone?) – just honest, real action by a very believable one-man army whose greatest weapon is his own innate talent for killing people.

At this point, I really should mention his fantastic body, and I do not understate it when I say it is gorgeous. A brick house of abs, pecs and arms, never has jumping onto helicopters or dramatic car crashes people walk away from seemed so plausible as when they are performed by Craig and his massive muscles. Every stunt is wonderful, every action sequence flows as smooth as glass. Pitch perfect in its choreography and delivered with such style, you’ll leave wishing you were as British as me.

My only real complaint is the villain of the piece, Le Chiffre. The cornerstone of James Bond is the enemies he faces off against: Blofeld, Goldfinger, Xenia Onatopp (love the name) or Baron Samedi. You need a certain campy edge to pull off a truly wonderful villain, and a scarred eye that leaks blood just doesn’t cut it for me – pun intended. He has one dimension: evil. And evil is good, when wrapped in a red bow, accompanied by sinister laughs and world-dominating schemes.

But this guy was just mean. Not even interesting-mean, like Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Mission: Impossible III,” he was just boring-mean.

Bond is action, villains, girls, gadgets and guns. And this delivers, trust me. I haven’t even mentioned the picturesque beauty of the scenery. Traveling from Madagascar to the Bahamas, then moving into the central event of Casino Royale in Montenegro, you certainly aren’t spoiled for choice in exotic locations. Then, to shove Venice in at the end just gladdens my heart.

And to leave without mentioning M (Academy Award winner Judi Dench) would be a sin against my country. She is simply brilliant, but from one of the world’s greatest actresses alive today, you should expect nothing less. M is, on one hand, vicious and cold in her treatment of Bond, yet motherly and caring at the same time. It takes an actress of her caliber to portray both extremes to such believable extent. She is the icing on this glorious Bond cake.

“The name’s Bond, James Bond.” Never has a truer phrase been uttered.

Overall: An excellent movie, returning to the basics of what makes Bond so darn good, with possibly the best Bond performance to date. Let down by a so-so villain and a lack of action toward the end.