Daniel Craig is
Ian Fleming's James Bond 007
in Casino Royale
First Looks Part VI: Every Legend has a Beginning
#1
Posted 23 April 2008 - 03:04 PM
#2
Posted 23 April 2008 - 03:34 PM
#3
Posted 23 April 2008 - 04:23 PM
#4
Posted 23 April 2008 - 05:48 PM
#5
Posted 23 April 2008 - 05:56 PM
#6
Posted 23 April 2008 - 06:43 PM
#7
Posted 23 April 2008 - 06:54 PM
Anyway, a very good read that's inspiring me to go back and take another look at your other First Looks.
#8
Posted 23 April 2008 - 07:11 PM
#9
Posted 23 April 2008 - 07:38 PM
#10
Posted 23 April 2008 - 08:14 PM
I particularly enjoy your discussion of "shaking up", which I have to admit was probably the key feature of the movie in tht it was a good move away from some of the typical conventions of the Bond movies. The pre-titles sequence is definitely "gorgeous" as you described, and is probably the highlight of the film, in that it really lays down what kind of a Bond Daniel Craig intends to portray. only Timothy Dalton has come close to presenting such a hardened Bond, and the pre-title sequence really does, as you said, "introduces us to our new James Bond in a stark, brutal manner."
However, I have to disagree with you about the quality of 'You Know My Name'! It is by far the best title song since 'Live And Let Die', a song which also assists in presenting a harder Bond, with it's "come and have a go" connotations.
Nevertheless, I agree with your views on the presentation of Le Chiffre and Mr. White, which is filmed brilliantly, creating an atmosphere and setting up the plot loosely, leaving the viewer with much to think about before the entire plot unravels.
I particulaly agree with your observation on Bond's determination in the free-running sequence. It is clear to see that the only thing keeping him going is brute determination to catch Mollaka, and i am pleased you made note of this, as it is also a key attribute for Daniel Craig's Bond. I expect we'll see more of this 100% dedication to the job-in-hand in Quantum Of Solace.
"The next two scenes are nice, lean moments establishing Le Chiffre
#11
Posted 23 April 2008 - 08:23 PM
Does the film slowing down not annoy you? I find the 'litle finger' scene slightly irritating in that I don't really like seeing Bond reduced to complete mush, rather than he could fall in love but still be hard as nails. The venice scene is brilliant though, a great way to end a movie that hadn't see any real action since the staircase battle. With any lok, we'll see another tense scene like this in Quantum Of Solace.
You know, this is the first time I noticed there really isn't an action scene between the stairway fight and Venice... and I didn't mind at all. For me, the relationship between Bond and Vesper is a big part of what sets this Bond film apart from the others. So no, the slowing down did not annoy me, because I was completely engaged the whole time, which never happened to me during Brozza's films. (I know that question wasn't put to me, but I felt compelled to answer anyway. )
#12
Posted 23 April 2008 - 08:44 PM
Does the film slowing down not annoy you? I find the 'litle finger' scene slightly irritating in that I don't really like seeing Bond reduced to complete mush, rather than he could fall in love but still be hard as nails. The venice scene is brilliant though, a great way to end a movie that hadn't see any real action since the staircase battle. With any lok, we'll see another tense scene like this in Quantum Of Solace.
You know, this is the first time I noticed there really isn't an action scene between the stairway fight and Venice... and I didn't mind at all. For me, the relationship between Bond and Vesper is a big part of what sets this Bond film apart from the others. So no, the slowing down did not annoy me, because I was completely engaged the whole time, which never happened to me during Brozza's films. (I know that question wasn't put to me, but I felt compelled to answer anyway. )
No worries! It didn't annoy me incredibly, it's just that I found bond getting a little too loved up, and it kind of unravelled this hard edge we'd seen all the way through the movie. But it was nicely re-worked in after her death, and he's back to his old self again on the boat.
#13
Posted 24 April 2008 - 01:06 AM
#14
Posted 24 April 2008 - 05:05 PM
#15
Posted 30 January 2010 - 12:34 AM
Ed Harris give us his last first look (for a while anyway).
Daniel Craig is
Ian Fleming's James Bond 007
in Casino Royale
Just ran across this article, Genrewriter. I was hoping you'd get to Craig. Good work as on the entire First Looks series of articles .
#16
Posted 30 January 2010 - 05:38 AM
#17
Posted 31 January 2010 - 11:45 AM
"Virtually everything is perfect." My view as well.
#18
Posted 10 September 2010 - 01:10 AM
Just to let you know: Genrewriter has permanently defected to the agony booth, so he's probably not coming back for Bond #7, if there is one.
On the contrary, I check in from time to time here. I just don't post nearly as often as I used to, mainly for reasons of time and not having much to say. I'd certainly be o-en to doing an article on the next actor, though hopefully I won't have to write it for a long time.