For those that remember the dreadful James Bond films from the last forty years, the news of a new Bond flick probably wasn’t all that exciting. However, the new high-octane thriller Casino Royale gives the aged franchise a much needed face-lift, and if fans of the old Bond films give it a chance, they might find their love for the legacy renewed.

Based on Ian Fleming’s first James Bond spy novel, Casino Royale’s gritty realism greatly improves upon the 1967 original film and brings the series closer to Fleming’s Bond than any of the others to date.

By the end of Pierce Brosnan’s last Bond film, Die Another Day, it seemed that the series had been reduced to a silly competition to see how many different vehicles Bond could drive and how many ridiculous gadgets he could use.

The new Bond, played by the young, athletic, and charming Daniel Craig, has no need for such devices. There are no invisible cars, explosive pens, or gimmicky watches. Instead of the BMWs, Roles Royces, and other fabulously expensive cars that Bond films have relied upon, the first car that Bond drives in Casino Royale is a Ford. When he does get a nice car, an Aston Martin, he wins it in a poker game.

The new Bond also rejects the franchise’s oldest clich. When asked by a bartender if he wants his martini shaken or stirred, Bond snaps back, “Do I look like I give a damn?”

Instead of trying to buy its audience with the old devices, Casino Royale places its emphasis on much more deserving aspects: a clever and witty script, breathtaking direction, and, perhaps the biggest improvements brought to the franchise: realistic emotions and the return of good acting.

In fact, the only performance from any previous Bond film is supplied by Oscar-winner Dame Judy Dench as Bond’s boss, M, who consistently offered great acting in the Brosnan films.

The film begins with a breathtaking black and white prelude, before Bond becomes 007, where he brutally kills two people and earns his “00” status. After one of his first missions ends in catastrophe, Bond’s picture is plastered on the front page of international newspapers for killing an unarmed man.

With MI-6 regretting its decision to promote him, Bond is forced to go AWOL in order to stop a terrorist network that has planned and profited from several attacks, including those on September 11, 2001. After narrowly foiling the plot, Bond is welcomed back to his post within the English secret service.

In its second half, the film takes a break from the typical apocalyptic schemes by over-the-top madmen, and the majority of the tension revolves around a high stakes poker game and its multi-million dollar pot.

The stellar direction by Martin Campbell keeps the audience on their toes, even through the long poker sequences. He propels the story at a pace that never allows the suspense to settle (even though, at 144 minutes, it is the longest Bond film ever).

The film’s final act is also improved by a genuinely touching romance. Though there is no “Miss Moneypenny,” by making the new Bond girl an accountant, played by the absolutely stunning Eva Green, the film tied the two characters together.

In fact, one of Green’s first lines is “I’m the money,” to which Bond replies “Every penny of it.”

Later, after quipping on her character’s name, Vesper Lynd, Bond alludes to the classic Bond-girl names, such as “Miss Pussy Galore,” by suggesting a better one: “Miss Stephanie Broadchest.”

Both Craig and Green are perfect in their roles, and they have a chemistry that isn’t typical for Bond films. Green’s is the first female character to get a sincere “I love you” out of James Bond’s mouth and, after their relationship ends in betrayal and tragedy, Bond’s notorious womanizing becomes completely understandable.

The duo will return to the silver screen together alongside Nicole Kidman in 2007 for a film adaptation of Phillip Pullman’s fantastic book, “The Golden Compass.” Both Craig and Dench are also returning in the 22nd Bond film sometime in 2008, so the Bond franchise might be here to stay.

Although it gives renewed life to a franchise that has been withering since the 1960s, Casino Royale may not be the best Bond film. However, when it is pitted against impossible competition in Oscar-winner Sir Sean Connery, why even make the comparison?