18 Nov 2006
Movie Review: Casino Royale
Wow! This is a must see movie. The opening scene in Uganda was awesome. It’s great to see parkour getting more lime light. It totally heightens the thrill of a foot race. Banlieue 13 (aka District 13) had a pretty cool parkour chase scene, but Casino Royale shows how much more intense it can be with a bigger budget.
But it really takes you back to the early days of Bond movies. Not quite as epic as the Connery ones that always ended in a huge secret underground base full of people in jump suits, but pretty darn close. No gimmicks. No giant laser beams shooting down to earth from satellites. No tanks. No blimps. No ejector seats. No rocket launchers hidden in the trunk of a car. No submersible cars. You get the picture… It gets back to the roots of what makes Bond so cool.
Basically, it’s just him and his wits. He’s newly assigned to double-oh status, and makes mistakes along the way. It’s refreshing to see a Bond that isn’t perfect. Daniel Craig can pull off the action. You’ll have to ask a lady if he can pull of the suave and debonair part. And just a warning for the guys; the movie takes a bit of a romantic turn. Basically, you get to see the more human side of James Bond. Also, there’s a particularly gruesome interrogation scene that might make you cringe. Oh, and with a title like “Casino Royale” there’s some poker involved. Texas Hold ‘Em, actually, which probably wasn’t the style of poker they played in the original book. But whatever.
I think I’m going to have to go see it again. I got so caught up in the moment at times, that I’d miss some dialogue and be lost for a short time.
Well, I saw it, and thought it was awful.
Took everything that was fun out of the mix… Craig has the personality of a rock…
Just awful.
Sorry.
Sorry you didn’t like it.
I wanted to… and the start wasn’t bad, but for me it just fell apart when Eva Green appeared, even though I really like Eva Green…
I was really looking forward to it too…
I’ve been disappointed by a lot of movies lately.
Didn’t it feel like it took you back to the old days of Bond with Connery? Keep in mind, it was Fleming’s first Bond book. I think it was intentionally supposed to be rough around the edges. That just added to it more for me.
Connery had charisma and there was still the music in the early films… the soundtrack really didn’t get me into this movie, I mean we don’t even hear the theme until the credits.
For me, the world it too gritty right now… I mean between the news in the world to all these CSI-type crime procedurals on tv to shock movies, I’m just thoroughly annoyed they let it creep into the Bond franchise… I watch these films to escape, not remind me of what a depressing place the world has become.
It’s probably why I’m extremely into sports right now.
I’m pretty sure the theme was left ’til the end like that on purpose.
I’m in complete and total agreement with you on this one. Weird. I went in figuring it that I wouldn’t like it or atleast just tolerating it. But I loved it. Would totally go and see it again.
Anyway, as you already know, Chris and I reviewed the movie for Fanboy Smackdown and you can get all our details there.
I’m glad *someone* agrees with me.
I noticed that this was tied for most commented posts, so I felt the need to put it over the top. However, my post should have some merit, so I will say this… the theme song, “You Know My Name”, is one of the best Bond theme songs. Easy to sing along with, not cemented in a certain era like the Shirley Bassey ones, and just plain rocks.
I’ve now watched the movie over and over on Movie Central and must say that it grows on me each time.
Later.