Because the Quantum of Solace trailer looks so rad, I figured I'd ready myself for it by finally seeing Casino Royale. I have a pretty uninformed perspective, as I have seen like two Bond films in my lifetime and admittedly don't really know/care much about the franchise. (Though after watching that Mythbusters about the gold paint, I do want to see Goldfinger.) Anyway this re-invention of the Bond icon has him (Daniel Craig) as a fledgling spy out on his first 00 mission: Stop a bad guy from winning a poker game because then he would be funding terrorism. Or something. I have to be honest here: I didn't really follow the plot of this movie. Mostly I had no idea what was going on. It started off with a really really kickass chase sequence that involved scaling a half-constructed building but then before you know it it's like an hour of people playing poker. He is accompanied by the gorgeous Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), assigned to babysit Bond and ensure he doesn't lose all his money. He of course tries to charm her, but, for what I'm told is a first in the series, she is actually very intelligent and has a mind of her own and therefore resists his advances (at first). After the poker game and a near-death experience there is some torture and betrayal and ultimately a building collapses (it's awesome). Bond learns he should never trust anyone, etc. I suspect this was all just a so-so set up for a super-amazing revenge-themed sequel, which is cool.
Casino Royale had some excellent action sequences but I felt the middle of the film dragged a lot. I was ok with the fact that I couldn't/didn't really follow the story, since I was in it for the fighting and chasing, not plot. It might be the kind of movie I'll enjoy more after repeated viewings. Daniel Craig was good and I liked Eva Green. Dame Judi Dench was ice-cold as M. I guess the bottom line is, probably you will enjoy this movie a lot if you are a Bond Person, and a fair amount if you aren't? Either way I'm still psyched for Quantum of Solace.
3/5
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Casino Royale (2006)
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Extremely fair. I do enjoy Bond movies (Goldfinger's pretty rad), but I actually didn't love Casino Royale, but for different reasons. Having grown up watching James Band making movies making songs and fighting round the word, I didn't love watching him suddenly have personal problems. It seemed different from the Bond we already knew. But I did like Eva Green, and hope against hope for more smart Bond women (let's stop calling them Bond girls, btw). Also, your review omits how awesome Jeffrey Wright is as Felix Leiter.
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