98 replies to this topic

[Judo chop]

In case anybody thinks my intention here is to sound off a Craig bashing parade, see my post in the

[Loomis]

I would change nothing about Craig's performance. He is absolutely flawless in CASINO ROYALE.

Now, if they were to alter his look, for instance by giving him dark and/or longer hair, I wouldn't object, but I don't think it would be necessary.

Us Bond fans should thank our lucky stars that Craig has the part (although I'm aware that your intention is not to bash him, Judo chop). His phenomenal work has not merely helped save the series - it has also been a major factor in elevating it to an absolutely unprecedented level of artistic excellence.

[Judo chop]

Us Bond fans should thank our lucky stars that Craig has the part (although I'm aware that your intention is not to bash him, Judo chop). His phenomenal work has not merely helped save the series - it has also been a major factor in elevating it to an absolutely unprecedented level of artistic excellence.

I am extremely grateful for having Craig at the helm. I am excited about Bond 22 to the point of nervousness and I am just having a bit o' fun. Nothing on this earth is perfect, and if I can't point out Bond film imperfections on a forum dedicated to James Bond, where can I?

So, I take it you do not agree with any of my thoughts above. Noted.

[plankattack]

Judo Chop - you are right about the valet ticket line. It's almost as if he rushed it. But the rest of his performance I felt was close to spot on. The "ouch" line doesn't bother me. In fact at the end of that sequence when he replies to M's comment about his emotions with "No" is perfect.

I second Loomis with his comments on Craig. We have a proper actor taking on the role and he's going to pay the same attention he would he were doing Shakespeare. I'm always aggravated when critics try to play down the difficulty in playing Bond, yet go overboard when somebody plays Spiderman. Playing a hero, especially one with a few flaws, is a hard act to pull off without the depiction descending into charicature.

[00Twelve]

I'm with Loomis on Craig's performance. I personally wouldn't want to see anything other than what he did in the takes chosen for the final print. Fantastic job.

[Judo chop]

I'm with Loomis on Craig's performance. I personally wouldn't want to see anything other than what he did in the takes chosen for the final print. Fantastic job.

Guys

[Loomis]

Well, personally, no, I genuinely do believe that Craig's performance is divinely flawless, or at least as close to it as can possibly be.

[plankattack]

I'm not suggesting he's perfect. I think what it is is that, if this is the reboot, then nothing else matters, in terms of context. With only one film under his belt, it's going to take one or more performances from DC to judge whether this one is perfect. We can't compare to the other five actors because part of CR is the fact that it's the first.

I know when I say that I have few quibbles, it's because it seemed to work in terms of this film and this point in time in the character's history. A little raw, a little rough. If the one-liners don't quite work is it a surprise? The sense of irony only really comes with a the growth of the character's history and experience. For example, the doomed affair with Vesper is going to sharpen his throwaway lines a la early Connery ("they were on their way to a funeral.") Delivering the lines too well now means that Craig's Bond was a wiseass (strong word but I can't think of anything else right now) before he was double-0.

[Judo chop]

I'm not suggesting he's perfect. I think what it is is that, if this is the reboot, then nothing else matters, in terms of context. With only one film under his belt, it's going to take one or more performances from DC to judge whether this one is perfect. We can't compare to the other five actors because part of CR is the fact that it's the first.

I know when I say that I have few quibbles, it's because it seemed to work in terms of this film and this point in time in the character's history. A little raw, a little rough. If the one-liners don't quite work is it a surprise? The sense of irony only really comes with a the growth of the character's history and experience. For example, the doomed affair with Vesper is going to sharpen his throwaway lines a la early Connery ("they were on their way to a funeral.") Delivering the lines too well now means that Craig's Bond was a wiseass (strong word but I can't think of anything else right now) before he was double-0.

So, your stance is -

[plankattack]

No no! Don't leave the thread! I find this a more interesting dicussion than the "How do we Bond him up?" thing.

I do agree that his one-liners need some touching up. It's all in the timing. Dalton struggled at first. I think if you have a light-comedy background (Sir Rog, Brozza) it comes a lot easier.

I'm not sure if some of your original points are down to performance though - I almost feel that there was direction to say "look, don't play the lines as if you know that they're lines - just say them" rather than say, Sir Rog's eyebrow arched, everyone ready for the punchline, there you go, cut to the next scene.

It's almost as if to say - there humour is there, but the audience have to find it, in the same way his facial expression at the end of the airport chase is so, so subtle and slow to develop.

[Judo chop]

No no! Don't leave the thread! I find this a more interesting dicussion than the "How do we Bond him up?" thing.

I do agree that his one-liners need some touching up. It's all in the timing. Dalton struggled at first. I think if you have a light-comedy background (Sir Rog, Brozza) it comes a lot easier.

I'm not sure if some of your original points are down to performance though - I almost feel that there was direction to say "look, don't play the lines as if you know that they're lines - just say them" rather than say, Sir Rog's eyebrow arched, everyone ready for the punchline, there you go, cut to the next scene.

It's almost as if to say - there humour is there, but the audience have to find it, in the same way his facial expression at the end of the airport chase is so, so subtle and slow to develop.

I can see that your point still comes around to the theory that the lines were delivered thus intentionally, and you

[Blonde Bond]

In the Casino Royale, that I saw, the line 'Ouch', was just plain 'ouch' and he didn't add anything after that. I generally believe and get the feeling that that was just an ironical quip.Just because of the way DC delivered the line, and because of his facial expression. I thought it was a perfect rough spy kind of thing.

I dont even mind his way of asking the valet ticket. That did loosen up some laughs from the audience, and imho, was perfectly delivered.

Hell, I didnt even mind the 'drink for one' line, when he ordered the drink for Solance, and left after Dimitrios.


I thought he did a grand job.

[00Twelve]

Judo,

What I mean about not wanting to change anything is that from everything I can remember from Fleming (and resemblance to Fleming's Bond is my personal litmus test), I didn't see much of anything that wouldn't fit with the man in the novels. And I thought it amazing that Craig was able to flesh out that literary character enough to make him dazzle filmgoers. Some general filmgoers wouldn't give a hoot about Fleming's Bond- they want to see the Bond that jetpacks away with a girl in one arm and a glass of champagne in another. But DC made, or rather exhibited, the literary Bond to be exciting, dangerous, and generally appealing to all sorts of casual and hardcore audiences.

I'll begrudge you one possible moment: "I wouldn't dream of it." It's not that he delivered that line badly, not at all; however, Brosnan delivered that same line in TND and it was so fresh in my mind that I was distracted by a "Pierce line." I wish it had been different in the script. And all that I have just said is honestly how I feel. Just my personal take.

[plankattack]

Judo,

What I mean about not wanting to change anything is that from everything I can remember from Fleming (and resemblance to Fleming's Bond is my personal litmus test), I didn't see much of anything that wouldn't fit with the man in the novels. And I thought it amazing that Craig was able to flesh out that literary character enough to make him dazzle filmgoers. Some general filmgoers wouldn't give a hoot about Fleming's Bond- they want to see the Bond that jetpacks away with a girl in one arm and a glass of champagne in another. But DC made, or rather exhibited, the literary Bond to be exciting, dangerous, and generally appealing to all sorts of casual and hardcore audiences.

Not to upset the Daltonites but perhaps this is the biggest difference between the two most faithful version of the literary character. For whatever reason, DC's interpretation of Fleming's Bond has resonated with the general public. I don't know the reason, and I'm definitely not criticizing TD.

[dinovelvet]

[quote name='Judo chop' post='700690' date='12 February 2007 - 09:22']3)

[Mr_Wint]

I would change his acting in the "Whatever is left of me..." dialog. That scene feels somewhat awkward every time I see the film (reminds me of the beach scene in GE). Eva Green is also overacting here.

Also, the mean look Craig gives after killing Gettler is a little bit too much.

Edited by Mr_Wint, 12 February 2007 - 11:15 PM.

[Judo chop]

[quote name='dinovelvet' post='700878' date='12 February 2007 - 17:02'][quote name='Judo chop' post='700690' date='12 February 2007 - 09:22']3)

[dodge]

[quote name='Judo chop' post='701166' date='13 February 2007 - 15:24'][quote name='dinovelvet' post='700878' date='12 February 2007 - 17:02'][quote name='Judo chop' post='700690' date='12 February 2007 - 09:22']3)

[plankattack]

"Ouch" Looks at M. "So you can keep an eye on me?" (I think).

"Ouch" Looks at M. "So you can keep an eye on me?" (I think).

[00Twelve]

Yes, I clearly remember: *shot*...glares at technician and says, "Ow." (In a way that made me never want to cross Bond. Ever.) Then he looks at M and says, "So you can keep an eye on me?" I promise that's all he said in the version I saw 3 times in the Southeast US. At 2 different theatres. I would think it lame as well if he'd said the "Don't ever do that again" line.

[Judo chop]

Well, this is certainly a new kind of disturbance for me.

Theories, anyone, on where I would have come up with this additional dialogue? Why I hear it so clearly in my head?

I may have to break out into a new thread with this question to find support (sanity).

[dodge]

Well, this is certainly a new kind of disturbance for me.

Theories, anyone, on where I would have come up with this additional dialogue? Why I hear it so clearly in my head?

I may have to break out into a new thread with this question to find support (sanity).

M told Bond in no uncertain terms, as only Dame Judi could, to never do that again (break into her flat). Memorable delivery there--could it have ripple-echoed into the next M/Bond scene?

[Blonde Bond]

just plain 'ouch' and he didn't add anything after that.

Yeah, saw it three times, and that is the only word he uttered. I dont know about you yanks, but that's what I saw/heard every time I saw it. (Europe/Finland)

[Judo chop]

Arrrgh...

I know what I heard, dammit! I'm on a quest now to find the lost reel...

[Publius]

“Ouch. Don’t ever do that again” when the tracking bug is implanted.

Actually, it was just a plain ol', sarcastic "ow".

Anyway, I loved Craig's delivery of all the lines you mentioned, so I have no complaints there. However, I do think he gave a ho-hum delivery of his "continue funding terror" line to Vesper after losing it all in the poker game. Still, given that his weakest moment of acting was average at worst, and that he was almost consistently fantastic otherwise, I'll just count my (very numerous) blessings.

[DaveBond21]

He just says "Ow".



"Don't ever do that again" is a line from GE - Boris says it to Natalya...


The only thing I would change about Craig's performance, is I would have him pout less.

[lafemmefantome]

Well here's my point of view and I guess you could say I've seen it enough to give somewhat of a thoughtful opinion . I really enjoyed his performance. Normally I watch a Bond film and that's that. This one changed things. That being said, I think it's more of question regarding the interaction he had during the love story. For me, I would like to have had a bit more depth (and drop the crashing building) so that I could REALLY see how much he loved her.

So I don't know if it's Craig's performance I'd change or just maybe the writing?

lafemme

[Zorin Industries]

Small point, but he needs to work out walking in the heels. In ROYALE he sometimes (just sometimes mind...) walked like a drag queen down a beach.

[dodge]

Small point, but he needs to work out walking in the heels. In ROYALE he sometimes (just sometimes mind...) walked like a drag queen down a beach.

Could you tell us which specific scenes you have in mind? I can't think of anywhere, after seven viewings, where his walk is not straightforward. Now you've got me wondering what else I may have missed. Would you say that other Bonds have pranced, danced, skipped along or--God forbid--zipahdeedoodahed?

Edited by dodge, 15 February 2007 - 10:40 PM.

[EyesOnly]

I thought Craig had a very smooth and cool walk much like Connery! They both walk like a cat imo!