Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Movie Review - Casino Royale

Casino Royale (4 of 5): Well, I am impressed. I didn't think it could be done, but the James Bond franchise has been rebooted and resurrected from the depths of mundanity. Bond is cool again, but he aint your mamma's 007. This Bond is brutal in his fighting technique, unafraid to kick some serious ass and possibly tear his tuxedo in the process! This movie effectively reintroduces us to James Bond as it presents a story from his early years in the British Secret Service. There are some great moments and many of the Bond cliches are defined for the very first time. You'll see how Bond gets his first Astin Martin; how he develops a taste for martinis; his first tuxedo fitting; and why he never gets too involved with the ladies. Its a basic story involving a bad guy who is just out to get rich, not take over the world; and there are no gadgets in this film either! Blasphemous, I know. But it all really works to re-write the franchise and take it in a new and fresh direction. My only two quibbles with the movie is that it is too long and that it suffers from some pacing issues in the middle. Other than that, I can't wait for the next Bond film with Daniel Craig as the new 007. Check it out!

4 comments:

Coach Z said...

I just saw this yesterday and was very happy when I left the multiplex...The action is now and in your face and the "freerunning" in the begining was spectactular! The story did bog down at the middle and the end didn't wrap up as quickly as I thought it would...I have never really been a fan of the series and was surprized by the action. I am looking forward to another installment with the "lesser" Bond. Nice car and nice Bond girls too!

Movie Guy #1 said...

Yeah, the free-running stuff was my favorite part of the film.

Jen said...

I loved the movie. I do miss all the nifty gadgets that he would get and somehow missuse. What happened to that part of it? Yes the heart thing was cool, but he just popped it out, no one showed him how to use it!
ps...Saw Quentin Tarrantino at this movie!

Movie Guy #1 said...

Jen, Did you ask Quentin what he was working on right now? :) I'd like to see another movie from him some time soon.