Last updated at 12:23, Wednesday, 13 March 2013

It's been a big year for Bond with 2012 not only seeing the franchise celebrate it's 50th year, but the long
anticipated release of new movie Skyfall. Unless you've been hiding away in an underground bunker for the
last 6 months, you'll have heard the hype and seen the trailer. Skyfall fever is everywhere and the movie is
taking the world by storm, scooping $287m in the first 10 days of it's release.

Bond is synonymous with the world of high stakes, big money casino, with many key scenes historically
taking place in lavish gambling halls across the globe. Over the years Bond films have contained some
of the most critically acclaimed casino scenes in movie history. So how does Skyfall stack up against this
impressive legacy?

In 1962 Terence Young brought Bond to the big screen in Dr No, where we're first introduced to our
favourite secret agent across the tables of Le Cercle. In this classic opening scene Sean Connery uses the
immortal line "the name's Bond, James bond", forming the start of a casino scene tradition that transcends
to the present day.

By the release of Never Say Never Again in 1983 the Bond franchise was firmly established. This film
features one of the bond casino scenes most beloved by fans. Arch villain Largo hosts a 3-D video game
called Domination, and pits his wits across the table against Bond, who naturally, wins. The special effects
used were revolutionary at the time and helped to attract a new generation of fans to the Bond saga.

My favourite Bond scene can be found in 2006's Casino Royale. Nope I'm not talking about 'that' topless
shot where Daniel Craig emerges from the sea, although lets face it girls, that's a bonus too. Casino Royale
actually has the most casino scenes of any Bond film to date, with the central storyline set around Bond's
attempts to bankrupt terrorist financier Le Chiffre, by beating him in a high stakes poker game. Based
at Casino Royale in Montenegro, to play here you need to play big, and where there's big money there's
normally big danger. Viewers feel at the heart of the action and can follow the nail-biting progress of the
game as it unfolds.

In Skyfall a casino chip found on the body of an assassin leads Bond to China, to cash in the chip at the
casino it originates from. The film offers some stunning visual moments, none more so than Bond's arrival
at the Macao floating casino, surrounded by fireworks, ornate dragons and Roger Deakins’ showstopping
cinematography. The casino provides the stage for a spectacular fight sequence, and what is perhaps one of
the most memorable movie deaths of the year. I won't spoil it for you, but it's pretty unique.

After the lacklustre Quantum of Solace, fans were hoping for a strong follow-up and Skyfall has not
disappointed, revitalising the Bond franchise, and demonstrating Bond retains his appeal and relevance 50
years on from his debut. Skyfall has earned its place amongst the classic casino scenes that viewers have
come expect in each new Bond film.

Despite appearing in an impressive 23 films, cinema-goers have not lost their appetite for the charm and
debonair wit of the world's foremost flamboyant secret agent. Sam Mendes has created a classic bond
film, full of action and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat, yet he also breaks new ground by
exploring Bonds more sentimental side, an aspect that surprised many fans.

There's a reason Skyfall is so popular, it isn't all hype, this is one movie that has real merit and integrity.

First published at 10:16, Friday, 09 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk