Casino Royale - A Late Review
February 16, 2007 | Leave a Comment
As a huge Bond fan, I found it unfortunate timing that Casino Royale was released shortly after the birth of my first son. This left me with no opportunity to catch the film and weigh in on the new Bond. However, I finally got this opportunity last night in it’s final showing at the Fashion Valley AMC theater in San Diego. As this was being billed a a “reboot” of the Bond franchise, I expected many changes, and was delighted with what I found.
Daniel Craig steps into this film and in many ways redefines the character of James Bond. This is a bond who is darker and grittier than anything Connery, Moore, or Brosnan ever portrayed. This is a Bond who instead of being 100% smooth all the time, shows humanity and flaws, but is able to use his suave debonair as a weapon when it’s needed. This Bond seems less frivolous and more driven. The conventional characteristics are all still there, but his recklessness is brought more to the forefront. For the first time the character of Bond seems as though he could actually exist.
They also change his reliance on sex and women. He flirts and charms, but is shown to be less sexually exploitive. For example, he opts to follow a lead over spending a night with a gorgeous woman. He also never gets into any sort of sexual rapport with the main villainess. Finally he falls truly in love with Vesper Lynd (Eva Green). I can certainly understand this last one. This is the second in a row Bond-girl with a fully developed character. However, Green’s character is far superior to Halle Berry’s Jinx character in every conceivable way.
This 21st Bond film is still entirely packed with action. The first major action sequence involves a free running foot chase that harkens to David Belle’s Le Parkour. This pace is not sustained, but rather falls into a steady flow that is better paced for story telling. This is of course repeatedly interrupted by major action scenes.
Also of note, the opening animated sequence and song were fantastic. Chris Cornell performs “You Know My Name” to a really entertaining cards, guns and Bond animation. Check these out (as long as YouTube keeps the video available)
If you had any doubts about Daniel Craig as Bond, or a “reboot” of the Bond franchise, don’t. This is well done. Suddenly Bond is fresh again after 20 movies! I cannot wait for the 22nd Bond film which promises to be the first true sequel in the history of Bond movies.
Tags: "Halle Berry", animation, bond, bond 21, bond 22, brosnan, casino royale, chris cornell, connery, daniel craig, eva green, ian fleming, james bond, jinx, moore, vesper lynd, you know my name