13 replies to this topic

[Humphrey Bogart]

over the past few decades, masculinity has been shot to hell. While the 1980's me first big dick mentaility we saw in Dalton, Stallone and Willis was never quite right with its excess and sheer idiocity, the term "boys will be boys" has been destroyed. Any man acting on animal instinct (or cough cough like a "man") is swiftly labled as "too macho" and torn apart by little whiny, girl pants wearing, panic at the dicso loving, eye liner smearing, cry baby jerk wads(I'm talking to you Orlando Bloom and Zac Efron). (seriously... you don't have to be a macho cock but grow a pair... for real)

I'd like to thank Casino Royale for not just reviving James Bond, but for also reviving the glorious days of badass action films, and with 300 released and Live Free or Die...er...John Rambo coming soon to theatres, looks like testosterones have returned to the cinema.

The time has come for a little bit of testosterone to flow through the veins of man once again. There's nothing wrong with a little shoot em up blood shed when done right.

Britain needs James Bond
America needs John Rambo.

[Emma]

Er...Shouldn't you be thanking them for reviving a hero with testosterone not action? There were already great action films out there (ie. Bourne). Though I agree with you, after watching Daniel Craig in CR and Gerard Butler in '300'. Watching inefectual pretty boys doesn't cut it anymore. Christopher Nolan or Christian Bale should pay attention. Bring on the testosterone!

[TheSaint]

I'm in the minority since I don't think Bond needed reviving. And as for action films, there were 2 Transporter films before CR so, badass action films were still being made.

[stamper]

What about HK movies ? They held the torch during the eighties, HARD BOILED by John Woo with Chow Yun Fat was not a pansies movie.

I do agree thought that the Bond Franchise was in big trouble (thought not at the box office).

[MattofSteel]

CR was a refreshing creative shift. It proved that a lean, thriller-style Bond in the vein of some classic Connery-era elements can still deliver the same commercial results as an overblown Brosnan-style special effects blowout. This, to me, is the film's greatest triumph: the proof that artistic integrity and adherence to GOOD source material still has a place in popular culture. I'm not trying to take away from Brosnan's films by saying that, but ultimately, there's just something ABOUT Casino Royale that sparks, shall we say, a somewhat departed "notion" of masculinity. Craig's portrayal of Bond goes a long way to contributing to the feelings we share on the issue. Yes, there have been terrific action pieces in recent years (Bourne, Transporter, etc) but something about CR was both new and nostalgic. I came out of the movie grinning because it evoked memories of Indiana Jones, more than anything.

Here's my basic idea: there is a sort of "pantheon" of classic action pieces (original Bonds, Indy, Terminator) which so many modern movies (IE Brosnan Bonds, or anything by Michael Bay) strive to become a part of but don't quite make it. Casino Royale does. That statement might sound unfounded and glib in nature, but it's really just the class of the movie as well.

Casino Royale's success, as I said I believe, is that it proves the old way of making a spy film is still relevant. The SECRET to this success was the clever blend of nostalgia and modern conceptions (which, at best, was a true 50/50 split to me).

Bond 22, pay attention.

[blueman]

Great post. CR was the first Bond thriller since OHMSS, and a welcome return to form IMO.

Edited by blueman, 27 May 2007 - 10:08 PM.

[Dr.Mirakle32]

Great post. CR was the first Bond thriller since OHMSS, and a welcome return to form IMO.

What about LTK?

[RazorBlade]

Great post. CR was the first Bond thriller since OHMSS, and a welcome return to form IMO.

What about LTK?

Indeed what about LTK?

And thanks to everyone, Babs, Danny, Eva, Paul, Mike and Marty (and Ringo, John, George and Paul while we're at it) for CR. You are wonderful to us, the fans who have been waiting for this type film to return.

[blueman]

It sucked?

Sorry, just think LTK was a failed attempt. Nice idea, crappy follow-through.

[Loomis]

I'm in the minority since I don't think Bond needed reviving. And as for action films, there were 2 Transporter films before CR so, badass action films were still being made.

For what it's worth, I believe Stallone said (on his AICN Q&A) that he felt CASINO ROYALE might spearhead a new wave of quality badass action. And let's focus on that word "quality" - I don't think the TRANSPORTER flicks are exactly in the same league as CR, which was the best-reviewed widely-released film of 2006 and won all sorts of Bafta nominations. CR is clearly so much more than an "action film", badass or otherwise. Personally, I think of it as a drama (that just happens to have a few excellent action scenes) - when I think of CR, the story of Bond's origins and his doomed love affair with Vesper are what spring to mind as the core of it. If someone asked me to "name a quality action film", my off-the-top-of-my-head initial reaction would be to cite the first DIE HARD, or TERMINATOR 2, something like that, not CR.

[dodge]

Reviving...and then some. Stallone himself pointed out Craig (and by extension CR) as the new direction. Action, wit and intelligence, with a testosterone level that's right through the roof. Serve me up some more of that any old time that you please.

[Loomis]

And now that Stallone has spoken I think we can consider it the end of the matter.

[LadySylvia]

Great post. CR was the first Bond thriller since OHMSS, and a welcome return to form IMO.

Really? I've always thought that CASINO ROYALE was the first Bond thriller since 1987's THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS . . . and FOR YOUR EYES ONLY before that.

[DavidSomerset]

And now that Stallone has spoken I think we can consider it the end of the matter.

Stallone is the man!
He should have been Le Chiffre in CR.

Steven Obanno: Do you believe in God, Mr. Le Chiffre?
Le Chiffre: No. I believe in a reasonable growth serum.

It would have been a good show-off contest between the buff bodies of Bond and LC.