Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
"Does it look like I give a damn?"
'Casino Royale'
Rating: PG-13
Directed by: Martin Campbell
Running Time: 2 hours 24 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Directed by: Martin Campbell
Running Time: 2 hours 24 minutes
A couple months ago, I reluctantly participated in a mall survey and was asked questions about the Casino Royale trailer. The surveyor asked me if I was going to see the movie in theaters, and I said, "Neh, I don't want to see want to see it; it looks like a mindless action movie. Maybe I'll catch it on DVD."
Well, as things turned out, I didn't wait for it on DVD. I went and saw it in theaters...on opening night nonetheless. And as it turned out, it wasn't a typical mindless action movie either. Immediately after the opening credits ended with its cel shaded animation, I knew this Bond movie would be different.
The most obvious difference is Daniel Craig, mostly described as a Blond-hairded Brit and (get your english accents ready) "dashing," in the role as James Bond because he doesn't exactly fit into the typical mien (tall, dark, and handsome). Immediately following the opening of the film, Craig left the internet cynics speechless because he has also created one of the best Bonds in decades. Kudos to Craig for making Bond believable as a vulnerable amateur.
That really is the shining aspect of the film: playing on Bond as an uncontrollable rogue with "a license to kill." Everything is built around Bond being granted Double O status and his short life expectancy that comes with it. A decent amount of humor also coats the story, making the somewhat predictable twists forgiveable. When asked if he wants his martini shaken or stirred, he answers, "Does it look like I give a damn?" Classic.
Bond's first mission as 007 is to bring down a finance organization for terrorists headed by Le Chiffre. Bankrupting Le Chiffre would be feeding him to the wolves, so MI6 enters Bond into a high-stakes poker tournament at the Casino Royale. During some of the most intense poker scenes, I found my attention drawn towards Bond's and Le Ciffre's eye movements, similar to the final showdown in The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.
For Bond, it's one rookie mistake after another. *Minor Spoilers* Bond seems to get himself into situations where he gets cocky, only to find himself staring at a pair of machetes in a stairwell or lying in his car with his shirt open and a diffibulator hooked up to his chest *End of Spoilers*. It's these moments that make me glad Bond didn't have his usual gizmos and gadgets that eliminate any shred of intensity.
But where would any Bond film be without a Bond girl? It just plain wouldn't. Vesper Lynd, played by Eva Green, is a nice addition, always moving the story along. She is a smart-witted woman and gives James a run for his money, literally. She originates as Bond's purse, but soon becomes his loves interest, even if she isn't his type: single.
My biggest gripe with the film is that it feels washed out and anti-climactic by the end. The last half hour seems to really slow down the momentum. Dragging on the film is something that more and more movies are doing nowadays (Superman Returns). What ever happened to "short and sweet?" (I'm looking at you Mr. Jackson.)
For me, the film is this year's Batman Begins. With so many changes to the franchise, it really is tonic. Ian Fleming's Casino Royale breaks itself from the mounting cliches, and in doing so, it has become an entirely different movie. All of its risks paid off. Let's just say, Bond is not dead.
Well, as things turned out, I didn't wait for it on DVD. I went and saw it in theaters...on opening night nonetheless. And as it turned out, it wasn't a typical mindless action movie either. Immediately after the opening credits ended with its cel shaded animation, I knew this Bond movie would be different.
The most obvious difference is Daniel Craig, mostly described as a Blond-hairded Brit and (get your english accents ready) "dashing," in the role as James Bond because he doesn't exactly fit into the typical mien (tall, dark, and handsome). Immediately following the opening of the film, Craig left the internet cynics speechless because he has also created one of the best Bonds in decades. Kudos to Craig for making Bond believable as a vulnerable amateur.
That really is the shining aspect of the film: playing on Bond as an uncontrollable rogue with "a license to kill." Everything is built around Bond being granted Double O status and his short life expectancy that comes with it. A decent amount of humor also coats the story, making the somewhat predictable twists forgiveable. When asked if he wants his martini shaken or stirred, he answers, "Does it look like I give a damn?" Classic.
Bond's first mission as 007 is to bring down a finance organization for terrorists headed by Le Chiffre. Bankrupting Le Chiffre would be feeding him to the wolves, so MI6 enters Bond into a high-stakes poker tournament at the Casino Royale. During some of the most intense poker scenes, I found my attention drawn towards Bond's and Le Ciffre's eye movements, similar to the final showdown in The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.
For Bond, it's one rookie mistake after another. *Minor Spoilers* Bond seems to get himself into situations where he gets cocky, only to find himself staring at a pair of machetes in a stairwell or lying in his car with his shirt open and a diffibulator hooked up to his chest *End of Spoilers*. It's these moments that make me glad Bond didn't have his usual gizmos and gadgets that eliminate any shred of intensity.
But where would any Bond film be without a Bond girl? It just plain wouldn't. Vesper Lynd, played by Eva Green, is a nice addition, always moving the story along. She is a smart-witted woman and gives James a run for his money, literally. She originates as Bond's purse, but soon becomes his loves interest, even if she isn't his type: single.
My biggest gripe with the film is that it feels washed out and anti-climactic by the end. The last half hour seems to really slow down the momentum. Dragging on the film is something that more and more movies are doing nowadays (Superman Returns). What ever happened to "short and sweet?" (I'm looking at you Mr. Jackson.)
For me, the film is this year's Batman Begins. With so many changes to the franchise, it really is tonic. Ian Fleming's Casino Royale breaks itself from the mounting cliches, and in doing so, it has become an entirely different movie. All of its risks paid off. Let's just say, Bond is not dead.
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