Despite a huge budget and a terrific cast, the movie has a hard time finding its focus. Unfortunately, it's really not very good. Therefore, I'll label it a 'spy comedy,' and not a spoof. I also have a hard time labeling this film as a spy spoof, since it has an appretiation for the stuff it is mocking, and the plot line in itself, if you were to take the funny elements out, would have stood as a pretty good serious film. James Bond spy films have always bordered self-parody anyway, so granted, this film can't be taken too seriously, but then again, neither can ANY Bond film.
Not that that makes much of a difference. The makers got the rights to the Ian Fleming novel 'Casino Royale,' and feeling it was unwise to compete with Sean Connery, they chose to make it a comedy instead of a serious action flick. 'Casino Royale' is the black sheep of the Bond films.You might say it's the older brother that no one ever talks about.
