26 replies to this topic

[Mister Asterix]

My review:

Casino Royale. A New Classic.

_{CBn's Evan Willnow reviews Casino Royale}

[Matt_13]

Very nice review, Mr. *.

[HildebrandRarity]

Classic status?

Too early to tell. I like Casino Royale very much...but 'rose coloured' right now, i'm afraid.

I would have to give it a few more theatrical viewing and perhaps a year or so before I rank it in the Legacy.

And, oh, btw...Cubby did have a few howlers like DAF and TMWTGG and Moonraker and AVTAK along the way. Even LTK was a touch out of sync for me. He was by no means 16 for 16.

IMO, the current duo have produced at least three movies that are superior to some of Cubby's bottom quartile, God bless his dear soul...

...but yes, kudos to Barbara for having the vision and fortitude to cast Craig when (almost) EVERYONE thought they knew better and for maintaing the artistic integrity of the production.

8.5 out of 10 from my end.

Edited by HildebrandRarity, 19 November 2006 - 05:08 PM.

[marktmurphy]

I still remember Zencat saying in 2002 that he turned to Charlie, I think it was, during Die Another Day and asking him if 'this is the best Bond film ever'. So I think it's a little early for such superlatives.

[The Richmond Spy]

Nice review. I agree completely.

[whitesox]

Nice review. I agree completely.

Same here.

[BlackSpy]

-

Edited by BlackSpy, 19 November 2006 - 07:34 PM.

[BlackSpy]

Since The Living Daylights I have walked out the theatre after every new James Bond film with the feeling that I had just seen the best James Bond film, then after a few months and a few more viewings I have come down to earth and the movie slides down into its position in my list of favourite Bond films. This effect, I believe, is because of the excitement of seeing a new James Bond film gigantic, for the first time up on the big screen, just outweighs seeing the other films for the umpteenth time on the television. Hence, the virgin viewing of Tomorrow Never Dies trumps the seventy-fourth viewing of Goldfinger.

Imo, people should stop calling CR the best Bond movie, unless
- they saw all (great) Bond movies on the big screen (I did, and trust me CR doesn't even come close to FRWL/GF/OHMSS)
- they have seen it more than 007 times already.

[zencat]

Great review, Mister Asterix.

[Qwerty]

Terrfic review, Mr *. Seems that Broccoli and Wilson have finally hit their home run for you.

[Double-0-Seven]

That was a great review! I agree completely.

[Skudor]

Great review

I feel the same way and I'm pretty sure the feeling will remain, largely because (despite the slight rose tint on my glasses) I viewed it fairly critically.

What truly stands out for me is Daniel Craig. People may debate his looks but the performance he puts in is simply fantastic (see the torture sequence for a great example; any other scene for another example). Mr* said it all already. You follow the character of James Bond closer than ever before and the movie is so much better for it.

I feel utterly silly writing this but I honestly think Craig's performance is worthy of an Oscar nomination. I wonder if he might get one for Infamous instead... he's kinda hard to ignore now. Whatever else he may be he is, hands down, the best actor to take on the role.

When I say that Craig stands out I do not mean any disrespect for the rest of the cast - they are all fantastic (although Mathis has some unfortunate lines to deliver). Eva Green - WOW! Caterina Murino - Yummy!

I loved this movie the first time I saw it and loved it even more when I saw it the second time (within 48hrs). Already looking forward to the third time.

[ACE]

Wonderful review. Original sentiments, well written.
Love it all.

[Scottlee]

Nice review, Asterix. Very amusing and true.

I've just got home from the cinema (via the pub) and I've got work in the morning, so I can't write a truly in-depth review on the film. Maybe it's better to let the film digest for a while anyway before attempting to put down into words what I thought of it. I did think it was great though. Definitely Top Five material in the series. As for it being the best Bond of all, I'm going to wait a couple of years before even thinking about awarding it that title. Digestion time is important.

[EyesOnly]

Imo, people should stop calling CR the best Bond movie, unless
- they saw all (great) Bond movies on the big screen (I did, and trust me CR doesn't even come close to FRWL/GF/OHMSS)
- they have seen it more than 007 times already.


So, we can't decide on our own if CR is the best Bond film unless we saw all the films in the theatre? You have no idea how much I disagree with that weird comment! my opinion...of course!

Edited by EyesOnly, 20 November 2006 - 12:48 AM.

[boytown]

Imo, people should stop calling CR the best Bond movie, unless
- they saw all (great) Bond movies on the big screen (I did, and trust me CR doesn't even come close to FRWL/GF/OHMSS)
- they have seen it more than 007 times already.


Well, I am one who saw all the films on the big screen but I do not understand this rationale for placing CR. I started seeing the films in the theatre in 1965 and in those days they kept re-releasing them as pairs so there always seemed to be an opportunity to catch them. Now with widescreen TV's and great sound at home it may not be as good as the theatre but much better when TV was way inferior. As a guy who went to the drive in (dating me) in 1965 to see the first 3 films together and who went to Thunderball in its 1st release at the theatre I can honestly say that this film was such a breath of fresh air. It has been so long in coming! Although there were many great moments along the way since OHMSS, as well as some serious lows, I don't need 007 viewings to know that this film will rank in my top 3-4 for sure. The change in direction was so needed to differentiate the series from other big American action flicks which I felt the last few films had become. This is so Bond with terrific acting, music, photography etc I can't wait to see this many times and I anticipate the next one a couple years from now.

[EyesOnly]

Well said boytown!

[Genrewriter]

Great review, Evan.

[00Twelve]

Yes, great job, Evan. I'm on the same line of the same page, I think.

[Mister Asterix]

Thanks guys.

Imo, people should stop calling CR the best Bond movie, unless
- they saw all (great) Bond movies on the big screen ...
- they have seen it more than 007 times already.

[mra]I

[Tarl_Cabot]

Excellent review. I guess I'll see it now.

[killkenny kid]

Imo, people should stop calling CR the best Bond movie, unless
- they saw all (great) Bond movies on the big screen (I did, and trust me CR doesn't even come close to FRWL/GF/OHMSS)
- they have seen it more than 007 times already.

I have, and guess what? Evan, is right. imo

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

Great work, Evan.

[BlackSpy]

Wow, how touchy everybody is here...
Let me explain what I actually mean when I SUGGEST (and it's just a suggestion) to think a lot before putting CR at #1: RESPECT THE 44 YEARS OF BOND LEGACY, people.

[Publius]

Wow, how touchy everybody is here...
Let me explain what I actually mean when I SUGGEST (and it's just a suggestion) to think a lot before putting CR at #1: RESPECT THE 44 YEARS OF BOND LEGACY, people.

They are. It's just that CR is part of that legacy now.

[Bondian]

Your review is as good as your Photoshop visual imagery, Mate.

Very enjoyable article. Thanks, Evan.

Cheers,


Ian

[whiteskwirl]

I just saw the movie last night and I agree completely with this review. I was skeptical about turning the book into a movie, but I was an ignorant fool. Whether it is a classic or not is debatable, but it is certainly the best Bond film ever made, and Daniel Craig was beyond excellent. I don't know of any action movies that have the depth of character that this movie does, and it kept all the highlights of the book. And even though there was less explosions and over-the-top stunts than previous films, Casino Royale was still ten times more suspenseful. I liked especially how Bond never made his landings without falling down or hitting himself on something. The fallibility of his character is what made his protrayal so great. This movie is proof that if you create realistic, believable characters, a good story will naturally follow.

I'm already itching for Bond 22.