99 replies to this topic

[JimmyBond]

I watched a trailer for it last night on the web and it looked really good. I'm just curious if anyone's seen it yet, if they could give their opinion on it.

I almost bought it blind.

[Loomis]

How is it? It's okay. It's a pretty good showcase for Craig, which I guess is the main thing for us Bond fans. As a film, though.... it's stylish in places, and quite good to look at, but the story isn't up to much (and I don't know if this is just my TV or something, but the sound mix seems incredibly messy, with much of the dialogue inaudible), the characters are uninteresting (including Craig's, although that isn't a criticism of his performance), and it's extremely violent.

It's definitely not everyone's cup of tea, so I'd recommend renting it first.

[Tarl_Cabot]

I bought it blind too. It's ok; not KiNG OF NEW YORK great in terms of crime thriller but enjoyable. If I had seen it before I don't think I would have spent $20 on it...$7.99 in bargain? Absolutely.

I liked the star, which was the point anyway. And Sienna Miller can star in a Bond film anytime she wants(i know she's overexposed in tabloids but her role in Alfie impressed me since I didn't know she was english when I saw that, ie convincing work/talent).

[Lady Rose]

If I had seen it before I don't think I would have spent $20 on it...$7.99 in bargain? Absolutely.

Which is exactly what I did I've seen it a couple of times and enjoyed it.As previously said, not the best film in the world, but watchable and it will give you a good look at Craig.

[Tarl_Cabot]

To the Hugh Jackman crowd: How is Swordfish? I was thinking about renting it.

[tonymascia1]

I'd agree with the above comments to a large extent.

This movie was marketed as though it was another "Snatch", or "Lock, Stock, and Two..." --- even the DVD cover has a "HILARIOUS!" quote from the Premiere Magazine reviewer. It definitely has its humorous moments and characters, but is darker, gritter and more "realistic" than the two Guy Ritchie films.

It may be a little difficult at first to get some of the dialogue (dialects, accents, and such), but is worth repeated viewings. The line, "Welcome to the layer cake, son." is particularly dynamic in context.

Based on Layer Cake, Craig would be a fine Bond, and Sienna Miller a fine Bond girl.

*** out of a possible ****.

Edited by tonymascia1, 20 October 2005 - 05:21 PM.

[Righty007]

I don't understand it therefore I hate it.

[tonymascia1]

I don't understand it therefore I hate it.

Anyone of my ex-girlfriends will be suing you for copyright infringement, by using that line...

[H.M.Servant]

Layer Cake is a terrific film. But it's not a Bond-type film. Or your avarage American ganster epic.
It's a (notably British) gangster film. Matthew Vaugh (director) wrote "Lock, Stock" and "Snatch", but it doesn't compare. It's closer to "Get Carter" in that respect.

It's a great film, full of plot twist and great characters. Craig is very cool and composed. Sienna Miller is hot. I would recommend you buy it. Now. I insist.

[crheath]

I found myself confused. Like others, I couldn't figure out what was going on halfway through the movie. Craig is pretty good though. I think this movie was the reason they picked him for Bond.

I think if they made it easier to understand, it might have been a much bigger hit.

[SHAPE]

I wasn't blown away by Layer Cake, but as I've stated before, Daniel Craig was very, very good in it.

I found most of the cast to be rather dull, the dialogue, characters and tough-guy one-liners to be very cliche, for the most part. Craig stood out as he brought some real dimension to his role -- displayed emotion instead of simply acting 'cool.'

Certainly worth renting. I won't purchase it, but really, I don't know your taste in films.

[K1Bond007]

Layer Cake is totally overrated. It's decent film with a fantastic performance by Craig, but it isn't anything more than that.

To the Hugh Jackman crowd: How is Swordfish? I was thinking about renting it.

It's ok. Starts off with a promise of something along the lines of a great Pacino film, but then falls into the inevitable trench of a Joel Silver film. Decent film, worth your time, IMHO, plus you know.. Halle Berry b00bIes

Edited by K1Bond007, 20 October 2005 - 08:45 PM.

[Carver]

Halle Berry b00bIes 

Didn't they add that scene after the rest of the film was made, just to add a little "spice" to it? That's what I heard anyway, but I'm not complaining . Swordfish is ok, it's not absolutly amazing as it's missing something that I can't put my finger on. I'm not sure, it's just a bit flat at times, but I'd still recommend getting it.
As for Layer Cake, I bought it blind (like I do with most of my DVD's), but I did think it was a pretty good film. It's not a 5 star film or anything, but I thought it was very cleverly done and Craig did brilliantly in it. Sienna Miller is, well, perfect. She would make a great Bond girl, I agree with you other guys who've suggested it. You hardly ever notice that they don't mention Craig's name in the film, such is the way it's done. The ending was pretty good, I wasn't expecting that to happen at all. I liked the soundtrack and how the plot twisted and turned, and I'd recommend it to anyone thinking about seeing a new film.

[K1Bond007]

Halle Berry b00bIes 

Didn't they add that scene after the rest of the film was made, just to add a little "spice" to it?

Not that I'm aware of. Seriously.. Halle Berry is hot and all, but that was lamest attempt to add "spice" I've ever seen. It just her sunning herself and then.. oh yeah.. here's my boobs. Check em out. It was just stupid. I seem to recall Berry rationalizing it because her character was "supposedly" smart or something.

[Johnboy007]

It was a bit hard to follow, mainly because I also couldn't hear a lot of the dialog (It's hard to hear anything when the person you're watching it with jabbers the whole time).

Visually pleasing.

Two and a half out of four, only because I couldn't hear some parts.

[License To Kill]

Yah, Johnboy, it's hard to follow! See others told me if I liked Snatch, I would like this. This turned out to not be true. Snatch is way better IMO.

Layer Cake better not be a good interpretation of Craig's Bond, which I dont think it will be. He emulates zero Bondian charateristics, in my opinion.

[blueman]

So far, it's my favorite film of 2005, just ahead of SIN CITY. I liked that it was charcter-driven yet created a nice little crime world, and had a nice understated visual style (I liked SIN CITY's far more bouyant style as well, but prefered LAYER CAKE's focus on a bit more real people...FWIW). I also got to see it in the theatre, it's a little movie that is really helped out by the big screen. Hope it gets a re-release.

[Double-Oh-Zero]

Nice little crime film, aside from the plot that, at times, seems a little too "twisty" for it's own good. May require a second viewing in order to fully enjoy it.

But I suppose the main selling point here is Craig's performance, which is very well done.

[B5Erik]

I want to see Layer Cake because Colm Meaney is in it.

He's freaking brilliant! I love that guy! He never gives less than a great performance.

I'm curious about Daniel Craig's performance, but Colm Meaney is the selling point for me. When the DVD comes down in price next year.

[Athena007]

My opinion of Layer Cake...

The movie was, eh, so so. Didn't think it was great story wise though there are some great scenes in the film which are worth seeing. Daniel Craig, despite my opinion of the film, was great. He had this aura about him that's intense and mystifying. It

[Harmsway]

[quote name='Athena007' date='21 October 2005 - 00:22']My opinion of Layer Cake...

The movie was, eh, so so. Didn't think it was great story wise though there are some great scenes in the film which are worth seeing. Daniel Craig, despite my opinion of the film, was great. He had this aura about him that's intense and mystifying. It

[[dark]]

It's an enjoyable film, but much more gritty than anything Guy Richie did in the genre. Craig offered a fantastic performance, which is one of the reasons I'm excited about his casting in Casino Royale.

I don't know that it topped Snatch, which is my favourite film of that genre, but it's certainly a good watch. Tempted to pick it up on DVD, even if only to familiarise myself with the new 007.

Oh, and Layer Cake has a ripper of a soundtrack.

[tdalton]

Layer Cake was a mediocre at best film that was saved by Daniel Craig's acting abilities. He has such a presence on screen that he commands your attention.

[NATO Sub]

I liked Layer Cake, not the best film ever, but a definite 7/10. Best bit is when XXXX (Craig's character) is inviting the assassin over for some breakfast at his place

[marktmurphy]

It's a decent, if not amazing, film. I almost wish they'd got Matthew Vaughn on board for Bond- he'd be much more interesting than Campbell, even if he isn't really a director by trade. At least Vaughn has an eye on style which I think is what Bond should go for.

[David Schofield]

Saw it last night - just for Craig - the first thing I've seen him in. I'm not the biggest fan of ganster movies: never seen any Godfather film or anything by Guy Ritchie. Then again, this is driven by a central character, Craig, who is dynamic as Caine in Get Carter and Hoskins in Long Good Friday.

Craig moves well and his acting is top-draw. Only complaint - and this one is for the Craig bashers - in some scenes he looks quite ghastly. Most of the time, of course, he looks like Craig, if you know what I mean: my wife said, "He's not very good looking, is he?"

Ah, well. Over to you, EON.

[SeanSean]

I didn't like Layer Cake much. The story was so-so and I thought too convoluted. I also thought the sound quality at times was terrible. It just didn't grab me, I found myself looking at my watch to see when it would be over.

Craig is really good though. He's intense and there's something about him that's just interesting to watch. I like the way he moves to. The man is just cool. I can't wait to see his take on Bond.

[ComplimentsOfSharky]

Everyone keeps mentioning the sound quality...I agree that I had trouble understanding some of the dialogue at times.

[Jack Bauer]

I don't comprehend most British crime cinema, unfortunately. I almost fell asleep during it.

[Dmitri Mishkin]

It's a decent, if not amazing, film. I almost wish they'd got Matthew Vaughn on board for Bond- he'd be much more interesting than Campbell, even if he isn't really a director by trade. At least Vaughn has an eye on style which I think is what Bond should go for.

While I agree Vaughn displayed a flair for visual style, I prefer Martin Campbell's overall craftsmanship, and in particular, his ability to create a sense of atmosphere as displayed in GoldenEye.