robyn millarReview of Casino Royale
December 12th 2006 21:33
Casino Royale (2006)
Directed: Martin Campbell
Screenplay: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade & Paul Haggis
Based on the Book by: Ian Fleming
Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench
Blonde Bond was way Overdue.
I don’t think that before I saw this movie I ever really understood how much thought must have gone into the character of everyone’s favourite secret agent. As readers of this blog must know by now, I always considered him as a mere caricature of every adolescent male fantasy - the cars, the gadgets, the women – all seemed designed to fulfil an ideal rather then to show a real man, and in some way that has always been the point - James Bond is a cartoon character made flesh, an impossible hero who triumphs no matter what the odds and has a great deal of fun doing it. He never gets hurt, never loses his heart, and most importantly of all – never approaches anything close to reality. His latest reincarnation, in Casino Royale, could not be more different.
In CR we follow the newly promoted 007 on his first mission, from Africa to the Caribbean and on to Europe, and watch as he first loses his heart, then eventually himself, changing as I would imagine any hired gun would have to change, from real human being into something that can cope with the emotional rigours of the job.
But Bond’s emotional journey is not the only that separates this film from its predecessors. There are no gadgets here, and (regrettably) no Q. Neither are there the usual plethora or badly acted female characters, Eva Green making perhaps the first ever believable Bond Girl and Judi Dench shining as always in the role of M. And, while bad guy Mikkelsen does indeed have the traditional oddity (in this case grossly weeping blood), his motives are at least partially understandable. As a friend of mine mentioned at the time, there is also a shortage of rockets, satellites, or radio discs – possibly a first in a Bond film.
All in all, I loved this film. The action sequences are brilliant (especially the first foot chase through the embassy), I think Daniel Craig is hot (a subject of much debate among my friends), it’s at least partially believable and, best of all, explains many of the foibles of a much loved character. Purists may deplore everything from Craig’s hair colour to the lack of cheesy lines but I say even a cultural icon can be updated for the twentieth century. My favourite Bond film ever.
8/10
Directed: Martin Campbell
Screenplay: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade & Paul Haggis
Based on the Book by: Ian Fleming
Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench
Blonde Bond was way Overdue.
I don’t think that before I saw this movie I ever really understood how much thought must have gone into the character of everyone’s favourite secret agent. As readers of this blog must know by now, I always considered him as a mere caricature of every adolescent male fantasy - the cars, the gadgets, the women – all seemed designed to fulfil an ideal rather then to show a real man, and in some way that has always been the point - James Bond is a cartoon character made flesh, an impossible hero who triumphs no matter what the odds and has a great deal of fun doing it. He never gets hurt, never loses his heart, and most importantly of all – never approaches anything close to reality. His latest reincarnation, in Casino Royale, could not be more different.
In CR we follow the newly promoted 007 on his first mission, from Africa to the Caribbean and on to Europe, and watch as he first loses his heart, then eventually himself, changing as I would imagine any hired gun would have to change, from real human being into something that can cope with the emotional rigours of the job.
But Bond’s emotional journey is not the only that separates this film from its predecessors. There are no gadgets here, and (regrettably) no Q. Neither are there the usual plethora or badly acted female characters, Eva Green making perhaps the first ever believable Bond Girl and Judi Dench shining as always in the role of M. And, while bad guy Mikkelsen does indeed have the traditional oddity (in this case grossly weeping blood), his motives are at least partially understandable. As a friend of mine mentioned at the time, there is also a shortage of rockets, satellites, or radio discs – possibly a first in a Bond film.
All in all, I loved this film. The action sequences are brilliant (especially the first foot chase through the embassy), I think Daniel Craig is hot (a subject of much debate among my friends), it’s at least partially believable and, best of all, explains many of the foibles of a much loved character. Purists may deplore everything from Craig’s hair colour to the lack of cheesy lines but I say even a cultural icon can be updated for the twentieth century. My favourite Bond film ever.
8/10
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I may actually see Casino Royale,
By all accounts they have returned Bond to his original character from the novels. (See: Sean Connery in From Russia With Love)
Sounds like the filmmakers may be back on track. Coming a complete circle to return to the style of movie that began the series.
I have heard good buzz from my friends so maybe this weekend I will see it.
Comment by Georgie
It's not anything like the slightly hokey (or very hokey) Pierece Bronson Movies - although I'd say their not entirely without their charms (laughing at the really stupid plots/Bond girls)
Sean Connery may be the best Bond of all time (he is Sean Connery after all), but I'd put Daniel Craig as a pretty good second.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I will come back and tell you what I thoughtonce i see it.....your review certainly says the things I want to hear.