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Daniel Craig
takes over, or should I say “kicks off” the Bond series in Casino
Royale. James Bond has just received his 00 status when he must stop La
Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a banker for terrorists as well as a high
stakes poker player. La Chiffre takes his clients money and uses it to
gamble on high risk stocks. When Bond foils his attempt to blow up a
prototype airliner, La Chiffre must win a poker game in order to save
his own skin. Of course Bond is there to stop him. With a kick ass car
and a beautiful Treasury Agent (Eva Green) by his side, Bond does what
he always does, he saves the day with style, suaveness, and more than a
little violence.
Director
Martin Campbell takes Bond in a new darker, grittier direction that is
obvious from the beginning. Opening with a black and white noir-esque
scene of him beating the crap out of some dude in a bathroom, you can
tell this ain't your Daddy's Bond. From there we go right to a full on
action sequence between Craig and Sebastien Foucan that would give
Jackie Chan a run for his money. Is
that enough examples? It may not be as cheeky or slick as previous Bond
films but as a straight up spy/action flick Casino Royale delivers the
goods and puts the “thriller” back in spy thriller. I know, that was
kinda lame.
Hardcore
fans will probably be disappointed with Danial Craig as Bond because he
isn't as distinguished or gentlemanly as previous Bonds, but then again,
this is a Bond before the cars, women and “shaken, not stirred”
martinis. Personally, I think the only thing Craig doesn't have is the
look of Bond. He looks more like a brawler from somewhere in Texas and
fights like one. I feel that he could take the Bond franchise in a
wonderful direction, if the fans can accept him. Mads Mikkelsen is a
great villain, played as a man who is just trying to recover from his
own mistakes. Don't get me wrong, he is a villain yet you may be able to
sympathize with him. Well, at least until he goes for the rope.
Surprisingly it's Judy Dench who keeps Bond (and the movie) grounded in
reality by actually caring for him and trying to keep on the correct pat
while at the same time becoming increasingly exasperated by the methods
that Bond chooses to employ. Eva Green as the newest (r is ti the
first?) Bond girl has the right amount of sex appeal while not being
vapid. She is a smart and witty Treasury Agent who puts England's
welfare first and foremost. Giancarlo Giannini has the the closest thing
to a supporting role as Mathis, the local cop who is helping Bond. I
have always liked him in everything I have seen him in, most notably
Hannibal and Darkness.
Now all
films have some problems and Casino Royale is no exception. Some of the
familiar faces and trademarks we have come to know are missing. No Q,
Miss Monneypenny or any of the fancy gadgets are here. Which leads me to
the biggest problem of all. Is this a prequel, relaunch or a remake? I
ask because it takes place in 2006 and is supposed to be Bonds first
appearance. A friend who accompanied me swears that it's a prequel. I
argued that how can it be a prequel if it was the first Bond book ever
written?
Bottom line,
a pretty good spy thriller with just the right amount of tension, action
and humor. While not being a Bond fan myself I can say that this is a
relaunch of a cultural staple that succeeds in doing what it set out to
do. To bring Bond back in more down to earth feel while keeping the
basic spirit of Bond. Minus the cheesy, supposedly “witty” banter and
megalomaniacal schemes of caricature like super villains that have run
rampant in Bond films the last few years. Give Mr. Craig a chance, he
just may impress you.
Until
ejector seats come as standard equipment,
keep reading
Emerson, Mitch Emerson.
mitchemerson@hotmail.com
Best Lines:
Bartender:
Shaken or stirred?
James Bond:
Does it look like I give a damn?
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