Hey kids.
It's been a while since I updated Ramblings, mainly 'cause I've been devoting my blogging time to Rambling's sister blog, The Trektastic Voyage. I was compelled to come back to Ramblings to give you a brief review of the newest James Bond adventure, "Casino Royale."
I usually give very detailed movie reviews, but I thought I'd go for a bullet-style approach here. Ali and I had a date last night and after a lovely dinner at the wonderful Antoni's, we went to The Grand to see "Casino Royale."
Here we go, from the home office in Youngsville, Louisiana...
10. "Casino Royale" is a "reboot" of the James Bond franchise. You don't need to know anything about the other twenty Bond films from the last forty years to enjoy this. It's a restart, like "Batman Begins" was for the Batman franchise.
9. Direction: the last three Brosnan Bond films were criticized for their use of "edgy" film techniques from modern successful blockbusters. This wore thin fast as it seemed too derivative. "Casino Royale" doesn't look like any other movie out today. It's tightly directed by Martin Campbell, and edited by veteran editor/director Stuart Baird, who worked magic on the first Superman film. This movie is fast-paced, exciting, and never tedious, thanks to the direction.
8. Cinematography and location shooting: the lenswork in this film is amazing, and brings to vibrant life the myriad global locations one expects from a James Bond film. The exotic locations appear as lush as they are in life, and the film jumps with color and style. And unlike a lot of action flicks today, you'll actually be able to tell what's happening and you won't get motion sickness, as the camera work is energetic but stable.
7. Action: "Casino Royale's" action is much more realistic than previous Bond films, though amazing stunts and set pieces are used to great effect. Think "Bourne Identity" instead of traditional James Bond action, which sometimes bordered on the superhuman.
6. Characterization: this is a film about characters, not just Bond walking around striking cool poses and dropping witty or cheesy one-liners. You will find you care about Bond's character, who is not yet the seasoned agent we knew from past films, and his love interest in the film. The writing is also focused on developing themes and plot points for the twenty-second Bond film, due out in 2008. But don't worry, this film doesn't have a cliffhanger ending. It just sets up the next film, and believe me, you'll want to see it after seeing "Casino Royale."
5. Dame Judi Dench: Dench played "M," the head of Bond's MI:6 in the Brosnan Bond films, but returns here despite the fact that this film is a reboot. Dench was brought back because she's a classically-trained actress who brings fire and humor to the role of M that no other actress likely could.
4. Score: I couldn't help but smile when I heard some of the cues in "Casino Royale." The score has that wonderful classic Bond sound many of us remember from the Connery Bond films, replete with classy brass and string work. But thankfully, the score doesn't overpower the film as is the case in a lot of contemporary films today. And while the classic Bond theme is used, it doesn't come into the film until it really matters and really shines. You'll see what I mean when you hear it.
3. Devotion to the original novels: Bond began life in a series of novels by Sir Ian Fleming, the first of which was "Casino Royale." Though a spoof version and a TV episode adaptation of "Casino Royale" was produced, this is the first official Bond film to adapt the novel. The film is faithful to the novel, avoiding the campier Bond seen in later Bond films as well as the gadgets and other sillier concepts. More on this in #1...
2. Bond girls: Can't leave the ladies out. Caterina Murino is the lovely Solange, a minor Bond girl role that is nonetheless important to the film. The major Bond girl here is the beautiful Eva Green, who you'll likely remember from her role in "Kingdom of Heaven." Green brings not only beauty but charm and depth of character to the role of Vesper Lynd, giving us a Bond girl who is far more than mere window dressing.
Eva Green as Vesper Lynd
And now, the #1 Reason to Go See "Casino Royale..."
...Daniel Craig as Agent 007, James Bond.
I admit I hated the idea of this guy when I saw the first teaser. The blue eyes, the blonde hair, the face that looks worn. I thought, "THIS is the new James Bond?!" But this man is amazing. Craig brings intensity, charm, and depth to a character that has long been seen as a one-note, invincible, and often campy hero. Craig's Bond is brutal, violent, and downright brutish, but also suave, sophisticated, and charming. I really think Craig is the best Bond since Connery, and might even surpass him, given the right writing in future films. And Craig's Bond is the Bond of the novels, who didn't rely on gadgets or toys but on his own two fists, his cunning, and of course, a good gun. And Craig delivers some classic lines that I don't dare spoil here, a few of which we expect to hear from James Bond. My favorite has to do with the preparation of a certain drink, and one of my others occurs when Vesper asks Bond if it doesn't really bother him when he kills. Ali loved the humor and edginess that Craig brought to Bond, and I agree that he's much more interesting now than in the last few films we've seen.
So go out and see "Casino Royale" as soon as you can! Chris
