37 replies to this topic

[ACE]

A GOURMET BOND

An initial opinion of CASINO ROYALE by ACE


Writing about Casino Royale right now is like dancing about architecture. But here goes...

Casino Royale is an instant classic with a clean, clear linear plot that moves confidently ahead, capturing the spirit and essence and, in surprising places, the details of the 1953 book. The credit "based on a novel by Ian Fleming" in the title sequence is miraculously both present and true in a Bond film made in 2006.

Daniel Craig is immediately James Bond as we have all known him and as we have never known him before. This is Fleming's Bond brought to life but the jewel of this performance is set magnificently in an exquisite script and framed in Martin Campbell's bold and satisfying direction. This is good film -making first and an extraordinary Bond film second. Craig is intense, naturalistic and fierce but also tender, vulnerable and haunted. A man emboldened and burdened by his licence to kill.

Eva Green is stunning as Vesper Lynd. Edgy, elegant, intelligent yet guarded and mysterious. Her romance with Bond is the core of the movie which takes us back to the tarnished knight of novels.

Mad Mikkelson is sinister, original and malevolent as Le Chiffre, a silouhetted cypher. He is interestingly and dynamically rendered in a performance that shades Fleming's creation with added complexity.

Caterina Murino's Fleming-named Solange is sexy and sultry and could have been a character from Quantum of Solace or The Hilderbrand Rarity. She really does hold the eye and her scenes with Bond sizzle. She is also integral to the function and spirit of the story and is played with arch aplomb by the Sardinian beauty.

Judi Dench's M is teasingly developed both in her relationship with Bond and her placement in the British Government. Continuity aside, her inclusion is exactly right for this story and her admonishing of Bond crackles with good writing and topical knowingness. M contextualizes 007's character and sets up the story and the stakes in an expositionally creative way. Jeffrey Wright's Felix Leiter is a subtle but pivotal presence while Giancarlo Giannini's Rene Mathis is a more prominent, ebullient performance. Richard Branson's "blink-and-you'll-miss=it" cameo is fun and Michael G Wilson's appearance is notable for the character bling he sports.

The theme song and titles are similarly different from the past and a development. Saul Bass-esque graphic artistry combines with Binder-esque motion poetry in Daniel Kleinman's CG animated titles. Playing card and gambling imagery also incorporates a live action Daniel Craig. The instrumental version of the song provides a driving, energetic action theme. Denied of the full James Bond theme until the end (although we are given delicious truffle-shavings of it), You Know My Name binds the film like John Barry's alternate "007" theme. David Arnold's score both simmers and soars and is an achievement of reinvention. Both the song and the score encapsulate the performance of Daniel Craig: an updated classic. Rather like the silver beast that is brand new purring Aston Martin DBS.

Martin Campbell's style is different from GoldenEye in all but the pure energy and exuberance of his direction. Visually intriguing (a cobra-mongoose fight, a trail through the bizarre Bodyworld exhibit) and atmospherically sinister, the film touches on elements of classic but recently unused filmBond. The travelogue is non-specific but visually stunning especially the recreation of Montenegro. Phil Meheux's sweeping photography is glorious and colourful and rich and romantic. Oscar-winning Bond veterans, production designer Peter Lamont and costume designer Lindy Hemming break the film into 2 halves starting with a tough, gritty, New World Order edge and then taking Bond to the heart of Europe and dressing the film in classic, realistic European sophistication. Structurally different from any previous Bond film, the 21st Eon film flies through the series' longest ever running time. Stuart Baird's editing is uncompromising in the action sequences yet paces the film carefully through the poker duel and romantic subplot. Time is given to characters to talk, to love and to live. Gary Powell has made the combat very brutal and realistic and original. The visceral action setpieces are extremely exciting and, above all, original: the Madgascan freerunning sequence is breathtaking.

The toying with the Bond film formula is playful yet respectful from the placement of the gunbarrel, the name-reveal, the use of the James Bond theme, outrageous femme fatale names ("Stephanie Broadchest"!), the use of gadgetry and the symbolic invocation of the vodka martini (the Medal), Aston Martin (the chariot), MI6 hierarchy (the Order) and M (the Monarch). The reboot really is tangential to the story.

Casino Royale is like the fourth James Bond film, after Dr No, From Russia With Love and Goldfinger. Before the lava of creativity cooled to the crust of formula, Bond films sat as individual pieces, extracting and refining the ore of Fleming. Daniel Craig is laced with a soup

[Harmsway]

ACE, what did you think of Solange? And Judi Dench's involvement?

EDIT: I see you've added it into the review above. Glad to hear you think both of them work.

[Vauxhall]

Originally posted in the other thread, but yes - superbly well-written review ACE. Revealing without spoiling. Your enthusiasm excites me greatly. Each of these reviews will increase my excitement for the next 11 days. Shall be an exciting time!!

[ACE]

superbly well-written review ACE. Revealing without spoiling.

Thanks. That was the idea. Difficult to write, right now. Hard to work out what NOT to say...

Everyone will see it and judge for themselves. The DAD haters should love it. The DAD lovers (like me) love it. Bourne, Schmourne - hell, it's just good to have Bond back!

[MarcAngeDraco]

Bravo for 'A Gourmet Review', Ace!!

Tremendous job of conveying your impressions of the film without giving too much away!!

[Harmsway]

superbly well-written review ACE. Revealing without spoiling.

Thanks. That was the idea. Difficult to write, right now. Hard to work out what NOT to say...

I can imagine.

Everyone will see it and judge for themselves. The DAD haters should love it. The DAD lovers (like me) love it. Bourne, Schmourne - hell, it's just good to have Bond back!

Glad to hear it.

[MarcAngeDraco]

ACE, after reading your superbly written 'review' for the 4th or 5th time, it has become clear to me that I have now officially crossed a significant threshold...

I am now more anxious to see a Bond film than I have EVER previously been!

A feat that is truly staggering in its proportion...

[Jericho_One]

Really appreciated it. Thanks.

[Blonde Bond]

Great to see you liked it.
Glad to see so many people, so far, have liked it..

20 more days...20 more days...

Edited by Blonde Bond, 04 November 2006 - 04:47 PM.

[EyesOnly]

Ace, in some reviews they state that Craig says the classic line 'Bond...007' ...does he not say Bond...James Bond in the film?

[Yellow Pinky]

Thanks for the review Ace! Well written and articulate. Yes, as impossible as it may seem, I have to agree with MarcAngeDraco and admit that I am also more excited than I have ever been about a new James Bond film. And I'm old enough to have seen every previous Bond film in the theater.

What a great time to be a Bond fan!

[K1Bond007]

Good stuff.

[mario007]

Thanks for the excellent review ACE, so James Bond is finally back!!! Man can't wait ... I will be so excited during the first viewing ... I will have to see it again immeditely!!! Oh well, too bad for me! HA HA!

[Harmsway]

Ace, in some reviews they state that Craig says the classic line 'Bond...007' ...does he not say Bond...James Bond in the film?

Don't panic. That review just got it wrong. He says "Bond, James Bond" as we all expect.

[blueman]

Does sound as if hopes for this film are being exceeded. Awesome.

[EyesOnly]

Don't panic. That review just got it wrong. He says "Bond, James Bond" as we all expect.


Thanks Harmsway, there was minor panic and confusion!

[triviachamp]

It says "based on a novel by Ian Fleming"? Interesting. Does the film begin with "Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 in Casino Royale"?

Good review ACE! Looking forward to this one!

[JimmyBond]

Excellent review Like others have mentioned, I'm looking forward to this film more than I have probably the last four films. Feels good to be a Bond fan.

[SecretAgentFan]

One of the best written reviews I have ever read. You put the usual journalists to shame! Wonderful!

[Publius]

Best review I've read yet. Good show, sir.

From all this, it really seems that our man has hit the ground running in a story that does the same. Couldn't ask for a better way to start a new Bond era.

[Scamp]

Just back from seeing the film in Leicester Square, IF anyone has doubted DC will be a good Bond they WILL change their mind! It is, without doubt, the most realistic and Fleming-esque film of the lot,IMO!

Saw Harrods window too! The DBS is the stunning!

The whole audience were enraptured from the beginning to the end, and yes the men did wince and there were two ovations!

Edited by Scamp, 04 November 2006 - 08:38 PM.

[spynovelfan]

Must. Watch. This. Film.

Thanks for the review, ACE.

[dinovelvet]

Goddamit. The next thirteen days are going to be excruciatingly slow...

[nJamesBaum]

ACE....WELL WRITTEN REVIEW...WELL DONE.

BOND IS BACK..AND GUNNING FOR TROUBLE.

ALL I CAN SAY IS-
IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK OO7!

ENDIT

[triviachamp]

So is Richard Branson in the movie?

Edited by triviachamp, 04 November 2006 - 11:59 PM.

[Qwerty]

Wonderful review, ACE.

[DamnCoffee]

Fantastic Review,

So does the movie just fade in straight away?

[Bond#9-GeorgeKemp]

Fantastic review Ace!

I really enjoyed reading it, you're a great writer!

[krypt]

A most excellent review.

[Lazenby880]

A most enlightening review, ACE, and one in which you manage to avoid revealing spoliers of the picture. The passion and enthusiasm with which you write about Casino Royale suggests it may be something very special indeed. I am particularly glad to read that the film-makers have executed the explicit rejection of formula with finesse and that the whole enterprise feels fresh, imaginative and successful in its combination of grit and glamour.

Frankly, I cannot wait to watch the damn thing!