24 November 2006

Casino Royale - A Review


I have put off writing a review for the new James Bond movie, mainly because I have mixed feelings about the film and I'm not sure whether I like it or not. Or whether Daniel Craig deserved the highly prestigious Bond role.

Having said that, the new Bond film was a vast improvement to the previous James Bond portrayed by Pierce Brosnan (who looks more like an office manager than a tough British agent). Casino Royale has broken from the stereotype of Bond as some womanising, smarmy git with the powers of invincibility; choosing instead to explore Bond's earlier days when he was young and reckless, and most importantly, someone who is indeed vulnerable.

We no longer see the Bond of old, who could cartwheel through an army of machine-gunners, karate chop them all and still look impeccable enough to order a martinee and seduce the fabulously attractive girl sitting opposite. Daniel Craig's Bond shows weaknesses, misjudgements and gets bruised a lot (when has Pierce Brosnan ever had a cut lip let alone a bruise?), he even suffers emotional damage which makes the whole film more interesting and enjoyable.


We won't be seeing this smarmy git anytime soon


Having pointed out the new improvements to Bond, we come the negative aspects of the film.

Despite Daniel Craig's decent portrayal of a more human Bond, I still have my doubts about him. Firstly, he just seems to old. Considering this is a remake of the first Bond movie (and he has just been made 007) he looks remarkably old, which seemed to annoy me a great deal (but most people will get over it I guess).

Secondly, some of his dialogue was totally uninspiring. At times he just droned on and on in his monotone drawl which sickened me greatly. The guy has proved he can do action but I feel that he should give his mouth a rest from time to time, especially when there's dialogue as boring as shown in Casino Royale.

Also, the plot was weak until the end where it became badly cluttered and confusing. They seemed to cram all the twists into the end and none of it was to be expected; the plot gave no clues whatsoever which was a letdown.

Having said that, Casino Royale marks a new era for Bond films and I look forward to the next one. I have no regrets about booting Pierce Brosnan.

On a side note, I actually expected my co-author to write a post on this topic (he is Bond-crazy and probably fantasises about Bond or being Bond). Unfortunately, he was meant to watch it but his dad stood him up, the poor bastard.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Given that Litvinenko died of poisoning, MI5 or MI6 or 007 are useless. Wating the film makes you feel even more disappointed.

Gaz said...

I'm going to watch it Sunday with the Mrs,let you know what i think?

Jingo said...

sure why not? watch it with an open mind.

Daltervia said...

Yeah - I know exactly what you mean - the film's new and exciting - but...
something terribly wrong with the plot! You can't look too deeply into it... and I'm hoping that that's because there's a sequel coming out that will explain all - because the ending just confused me. That said, I didn't really find anything particularly wrong with the acting - and I thought that Craig was fine...
but the plot!

DeBunkem said...

I have to say that the whole Bond thing has always completely passed me by. The whole Bond brand is a dull as ditch water - maybe duller. I wish he'd get bumped off in a big messy explosion, then I might watch it:)

Cheers,
~ DeBunkem

Jingo said...

hey Dalt,

yeah the ending confused me as well. I didn't know there was going to be a sequel, maybe that'll clear things up.

Jingo said...

All Bond films with Pierce Brosnan are awful, but the new film is a marked improvement. You really should check it out DeBunkem.

Miao 妙 said...

I love Daniel Craig. He grows on you. I am currently having a mild infatuation with him. I love men with rugged charm.

Miao 妙 said...

He displays rugged charm and yet at the same time exudes the graceful air of a typical English gentleman, and his blue eyes are really alluring I think.

Just passing by.

Jingo said...

he's an old man. Kinda takes something away from the film when it's meant to portray a young and reckless Bond.

Miao 妙 said...

Well, you're right in a sense, but Bond isn't supposed to have blond hair and blue eyes and thus Daniel Craig wouldn't fit anyway, young or old.

'Casino Royale' is my first Bond film and I'm rather impressed by Craig.

Jingo said...

I admit, there's a lot of positives to take from Daniel Craig's performance. He's certainly better than Brosnan.

It's more the character of Bond rather than the physical appearance. Bond could be played by P Diddy or Sol Campbell for all I care, just as long as the spirit of Bond is portrayed.

That's why age is a problem, he look weary; a total contrast to the young and spritely Bond that is being portrayed.

Having said that, Casino Royale was one of the best Bond films I have seen in a long while.

Gaz said...

I thought it was the best bond film,i didnt think he was too old for the part,but he was verry nimble on his feet chasing that baddy at the start,i keep crossing my legs thiking of the torture scene!

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