12 replies to this topic

[Bondian]

Bondian's review coming tomorrow.

Cheers,

Ian

[dinovelvet]

I admit it..you had me

[DamnCoffee]

Had me too

[Kajiana]

Dang, that's a load of crap!

[killkenny kid]

You got me, too.

[Bondian]

Okay. Here we go...

At last. EON has made a Bond film that stimulated me on my first viewing. Besides a few brushes with absurdity, Casino Royale is one hell of a film, and Daniel Craig gets two thumbs up from me. (in fact all my fingers).

The Film

PTS: Like a lot of others have said. It's far far too short. In fact it would have been cool if we could have been privy to what these two rogues had done. But what the hell. Maybe it was wise not to spend too much time on this.

The Titles and Theme Tune
I have to say that I've grown to like the title song more, especialy now as there's visuals with it.

The titles are a visual treat, and reminded me of the titles from 'Catch Me If You Can'.

The Post Title Sequence and the Other Bits
Well. What can I say. I sat for the second viewing with a pen and paper determined to find something that I could moan off about. But the movie's so bloody good, when you feel there's something to make note of, the film's nearly over.

However...
The construction site bothered me a little. The modern 'action scene absurdity' crept in. We know that Bond gives 'Mollaka' a real Mollaking, but nearly kills himself in the process. He jumps 20-30 feet from platform to crane without thinking of the consequences of maybe breaking his rip cage in the process. Bond does take a lot of risks, but usually it's because he's been pushed out of a plane or is trapped in the back seat without a pilot. But like with the Brosnan films, Bond is like a complete loony. The scene ends with Bond killing Mollaka anyway, and as he himself instructed "we want him alive". (or whatever the line was). Another absurd and unnecessary attempt to kill himself is when he jumps off of the truck at the airport. How is it possible to jump off of a speeding truck, then proceed to roll in front of it completely unhurt save for a few scratches on his face?. Okay. He had to get off because of the other truck but surely he could have asked the driver politely "'scuse me, dear boy. Do you think you could slow down a tad as I have a tough scene coming up".

Just a Break Way from Absurdity.
A few 'pointers' that I haven't seen anyone else mention yet. Did anyone else notice a cameo of 'Goldfinger' (the chap who asks Bond to park his car'. And
one of the two black chappies who threatens Le Chiffre to get his money looks and sounds like a 'Mr Big'?.

The Supporting Cast.
All played their parts admirably but wasn't too impressed by any of them. However. Dame Judy Dench has the ability to scare the living poop from any man - including James Bond. Through her almost hypnotising stare and abrupt delivery. Though he did have the balls (well, he did then anyway) to break into her apartment and steal information in order to find out what he wanted. The dialogue and repartee reminded me of Bond and M in GoldenEye. If we're saying that this film comes before Dr. No, then it explains why 'M' has an attitude toward Bond. However, doesn't 'M' mention about Bonds Barretta "but it jammed on your last mission". So this movie cannot come before Dr. No could it.

There's also some good dialogue between Vesper and Bond. But the humorous exchanges reminded me more of a Bond/Moneypenny exchange. In fact. The film could have ended with Vesper escaping, and ended up working for MI6.

Martin Campbell & The Scripties.
For once we have a team who have integrated so well together. Combining tight dialogue, intelligent well crafted scenes, a strange adapted story and some witty one-liners.

The Music
David Arnold lends himself to a kind of Michael J. Lewis mode especially during the airport scene. But, most of his score is 'business as usual'. Over-the-top action music with a crescendo on scene change. I noticed so many 'nods' to some of John Barry's work. Only a bar or so but it was there.

Overall Impression.
Casino Royale will no doubt go down as one of the classics of the Bond franchise. Daniel Craig is a most impressive Bond. However, it's really unfair to class his looks with Connery, Moore and Dalton. He's good looking all right, but as with most modern films whereby the leading man could be the chap who lives next door, one wonders what's happened to the tall dark and handsome men that were two-a-penny in Hollywood in the first few decades of the last century. In my honest opinion, James Bond is a fictional character that most females want to bonk, and most men want to be. In today's casting of the 'action hero', the hero of old is nowhere to be seen.

[Mr Woodpigeon]

[The Admiral]

Excellent stuff, Ian - really glad you liked it!

[Bondian]

Excellent stuff, Ian - really glad you liked it!

Thank you, my friend.

Thanks for bumping the topic for me because I wanted to add a couple of other things.

Just like to add that Carol, Peter (my brother) and my mother also enjoyed the film. Usually when we leave the cinema after going to see a Bond (especially the last few), we go home and slap in a Sean or Roger. But, after this film, we sat down, opened up a bottle of brandy, and chatted for hours.

This is very unusual for the Rowland family.

Cheers,


Ian

[RazorBlade]

Excellent stuff, Ian - really glad you liked it!

Thank you, my friend.

Thanks for bumping the topic for me because I wanted to add a couple of other things.

Just like to add that Carol, Peter (my brother) and my mother also enjoyed the film. Usually when we leave the cinema after going to see a Bond (especially the last few), we go home and slap in a Sean or Roger. But, after this film, we sat down, opened up a bottle of brandy, and chatted for hours.

This is very unusual for the Rowland family.

Cheers,


Ian

That sounds very nice. What a great memory. I love times like that. btw my middle name's Rowland. It was my mother's maiden name.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Great job Ian. I'd say Bond gets 'hurt' pretty good in Miami...he has scars all over his face to prove it! And that leather jacket did help too, fyi.

As for his recklessness on the construction site, well he's a youngish Bond who doesn't care as much as the elder veterent Bond.

[VeteransAbroad]

If you pull someone out of the water to do mouth to mouth, it helps to first turn them over first and squeeze the water out to create an air passage. If I loved a woman, I'd have her upside down draining in a heartbeat and then I'd perform real CPR.

[Double-0-Seven]

The thread title had me.

Excellent review though!