Home >> Directory >> Film ReviewsCasino Royale - A Review By Fraught Back in the late part of last year, rumours were abound that Pierce Brosnan was leaving Bond, and this started a rumour mill on who was going to replace him. People up for the part were apparently Jude Law, Robbie Williams and Clive Owen. The Broccoli's decided on Daniel Craig, of 'Layer Cake' and 'Our Friends in the North' fame, causing an outbreak of criticism. Online petitions were created asking people to boycott Casino Royale on its release, as the fans still favoured Brosnan. Whole websites were created, dedicated to slating Daniel Craig as Bond... but the Producers stuck to their guns, and Daniel Craig became Bond. Was it worth it?
Bond movies are very formulaic. You know you're going to get an elaborate opening sequencei nvolving half naked dancing women, you know you are going to have an evil bad guy in an attempt to take over the world, you know the film will be full ofg adgets, guns, action sequences, gorgeous women in skimpy outfits, and as much double entendres and innuendos that you could shake a cocktail stick at. This Bond movie is different, and is as far from the bond formula as it could get! The film opens with James getting his double o's performing two kills, both very brutal and very un-Bond like. Then comes the elaborate opening sequence, with not a woman in sight. And so the blowing of the Bond cobwebs begins. Casino Royale is the start of Bond, the film that shows him learning all the things that make him who he is in all the other movies. He starts off arrogant, and out to prove a point. He's vulnerable, and unguarded. These qualities help to make the refresh of the Bond series so much better than you could imagine. The action sequences are more frenetic, more brutal and more realistic than any of the other films. The special effects are amazing, and more in the practical vein rather than your CGI. The score by David Arnold, is very good, with none of the Bond Theme really used. Everything just adds up to a wholly different film, and a much needed breath of fresh air for the Bond series. Daniel Craig as the young James Bond, is an inspired choice. Daniel makes Bond more believable than he has ever been before. His performance is just spot on... and I'm so pleased for him, as Casino Royale is a slap in the face to all thosep eople that doubted him. Daniel shows off his amazing physique on a number of occasions during the film (to the delight of all the females that I know have seen the film!). Infact, you see more of his body, than you do of any of the female cast, another change to the Bond formula. Hisa cting during the infamous torture sequence (which is sadly cut for the UK) is superb. Forget Brosnan... there is a new, and much better James Bond in town! The only negative aspect to this film that I could come up with, is that there is no definitive bad guy. There are lots of bad people in the film, but unlike all the otherm ovies, there is no one bad guy running the whole show. This aspect makes the story a little confusing, but ultimately its a small niggle, that's not tood istracting. Casino Royale is probably the best James Bond film ever, as well as being the most un-James Bond like. Its packed full of white knuckle rides, tension a plenty, a great script, and some decent acting. What a fantastic film to welcome in the new era of Bond. |
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