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*** Official CASINO ROYALE Discussion Thread (1 Viewer)

Nelson Au

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I have a few thoughts about Casino Royale. I did see it this past weekend.

I liked it and had some issues with some parts. This is the cinematic version of the new Bond. It did not truely follow the literary Bond, though neither did the other films. Brosnan, and the other actors after Connery all had to follow Connery and essentially continue an established character.

The new film threw that away and started over as we all know. Craig was good in the role, he was very brutal and tough. Though I thought it could easily have been Arnold up there doing one of his characters. As this was a re-boot and Bond isn't really Bond yet, I was able to accept it that way.

The things that bugged me was his arrogance and disrespect for M. In the book, Casino Royale and those that followed, he always respected M and would never do what Craig does in this film. He breaks into her house, he breaks into MI-6's computer system, etc. Connery's Bond was very respectful of M. Judi Dench's M is obviously not the same M of the books or earlier films. So I guess this modern M and modern Bond can steer this new course.

The brutal fights were well done, the first kill on the bathroom and later in the staircase. In the books, this kind of violence is described, but it was never taken to the level of that first chase, running up the crane and into the Embassy, that was over the top. But in-line with what Campbell did for Brosnan's big fight in GoldenEye with 009 on top of the antenna array, that was a brutal fight. The Bourne series has upped the ante, Bond has to follow. Too bad as it used to be a trend setter.

I thought the chase at the airport was over the top and could have been cut way down or eliminated.

I had some trouble with undertsanding the dialogue. I know most British terms as I used to work for an English guy. But some of the dialogue I missed. The verbal banter between Bond and Vesper on the train was great. The line that she figured he'd were a Rolex was a kind of nod to Fleming's Bond, but this Bond wears an Omega.

There was scene I had a hard time following, where Matthis first meets Bond and Vesper and the person behind Mattis is arrested. What was his story? He was portrayed by Michael Wilson (the producer) by the way, his Hitchcock moment.

I didn't care for the title song either. Was not memorable. But I did like the title design. It was a nice graphic design with cool animation. It was also interesting as it departs from what we expect, what Maurice Binder did in the first films. I bet the next film will re-establish the nude women in the titles. But I liked this one.

The film does follow the main story stucture of the book. I was wondering how they'd do the third act after the torture sequence as in the book, it follows his recuperation and falling in love with Vesper. I figured an audience would feel it was a let down and ends the film on a down note. But the addition of the convoluted plot of that shadowy organization that Vesper brings the money to restarts the action to end with that last line from the book that was earlier posted. I was glad to see that line in the film.

On the torture scene, I knew what was coming, so I didn't feel that I was on the edge of my seat, though it was well done. I kept waiting to see how it followed the book.

What I thought was odd was that while Vesper sized Bond for a tailored tux, the end of the film doesn't really explain how he suddenly becomes the Bond of Terance Young's Saville Row tailored and well appointed Bond.

I liked the new Aston Martin DBS, that was a nice car, cool interior.

I enjoyed the film, and it is a nice re-boot. It's also the first new James Bond film I saw where I actually read the book before I saw it. So for me, it was kind of like how are they doing this and that and what changed and what is the same. It almost spoiled it for me in a way. But it was interesting to see how they'd pull it off.

As for Craig's looks, he still looks wrong to me. But in a way, he does follow the book where he's described as somewhat handsome (Hoagy Carmichael), but with a cruel look to the eye and a scare on the cheek, or words to that effect.

Regarding the box office results, CR did okay, it played in slightly less theaters and had a longer run time then Happy Feet, so it did pretty well.
 

Ray H

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I believe Craig took on this point himself. In discussing further sequels, he made sure to point out that Bond isn't quite there yet. There's still more room for the character to evolve into the suave superspy in future films.
 

Antigone

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I totally agree! He's really good, I just didn't notice how quickly the time had passed.
However he was no good at playing poker. :frowning:
Even I can play better ...but on the other hand,
I had a good coach.

I was laughing so hard, when he was asked how he wanted his martini, mixed or shaken. his answer: "do I look like I'd care" :laugh:
 

Yee-Ming

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I thought it was when Bond put on the tux provided by Vesper, he noticeably seemed impressed with it, which to my mind suggests that thereafter he would be making it a point to seek out better tailors etc.
 

Stephen Orr

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My wife and I saw this (finally), yesterday morning in an almost packed house (on Thanksgiving Day!). My son had been raving about it. He's in his early twenties, and Bond has never been his thing (he'd only seen couple of the Brosnan Bonds).

That being said, Craig is just perfect, and whoever said he reminded them of Steve McQueen was dead on. IMHO, I appreciate the reboot of the character and the series, although I will admit, when I was about 9, I saw Thunderball about 4 times in the theater.....
 

Marianne

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Maybe for the next "re-boot" they should cast Bond as an animated penguin!

"License to Chill" comes to mind. :)

"Thunder Feet"

"Golden Egg" or "The Penguin with the Golden Egg"

"Coldfinger"

I could go on, but I need to take my medication now. ;)
 

Kevin Grey

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Saw it today and had a blast. I'll go with the standard "Best Bond in a long, long time."

I agree with Paul, though, that it will likely improve on repeat viewings because the pacing was kind of weird. Mainly the presence of two huge action sequences so early in the movie (the first of which was probaly on a level of most movies' finales). That set up a certain expectation in my mind for something similarly flashy for the end. While the Venice sequence was very well done it didn't seem "big enough" for the finale and I was actually a little surprised when the film ended.

I'm also a little disappointed that the poker game ultimately came down to Bond having the best hand. Would have much rather have seen him victorious through a great bluff.

Any word on a director for the next film? I'd love to see Campbell back. I think he's very underrated as an action director (even as silly as Vertical Limit is, there's some really great action sequences there).
 

Patrick Sun

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Can't bluff to a win in Texas Holdem (but you can cripple an opponent with a bluff), but eventually it'll come to a showdown of hands.
 

mylan

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Just saw this tonight, helleva good Bond, I must say, did anyone else notice the cameo by Sir Richard Branson in the airport???
 

Grt2BeAVol

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Are you kidding??? I went ONLY because of him (and his blue eyes) and I'll see any more Bond films that he's in...and at first, I thought he was a bad choice just from pics i had seen....love him now. great choice.

and speaking for the female half- we love him;)
 

Chris Atkins

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Well, I've met lots of the female half that loathe him. :)

I'm sure he will have his female fans, but I'm also sure he won't have the same popularity that Brosnan did with the ladies.
 

Grt2BeAVol

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I never got the pierce attraction. I was hoping for Clive Owen but now, I'm very happy with Daniel:)
 

Henry Gale

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I'll have to defer to you on this since it's been many decades since I've read the novel.
But, I thought that torture scene was from the book, "The Spy Who Loved Me".
I was a little disappointed because I keep hoping someone will film that book.

Oh yeah, I loved this movie!
 

Andy Sheets

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IIRC, the book version is a short novella that takes place from the POV of a young woman who's bailed out of a dangerous situation by James Bond. It's not at all similar to the film version.
 

Julia

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what I want to see is a Jewish James Bond. They might have to change his name (Bondstein.... Moishe Bondstein). I got the idea here: http://www.koolanoo.tv/ (click on “mixing business with pleasure”)
 

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