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"Casino Royale" is a return to form for the Bond franchise. Martin Campbell is a capable director that just about manages to balance the action with the greater emotional depth of the story. Daniel Craig is a deserving inheritor of the Bond suit and shows himself to have the kind of mettle ... Read review
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John Huston was only one of five directors onCasino Royale, the expensive, all-star 1967 ... more
spoof of Ian Fleming's 007 lore. David Niven is the aging Sir James Bond, called out of retirement to take on the organised threat of SMERSH and pass on the secret...
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Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Advantages: Heart-stopping action and a Bond that can really act. Disadvantages: That dreadful theme song and poor opening credits.
Bond is back (to basics)! We see the young spy achieve double 0 status before causing an international incident with his first mission in Madagascar. But instead of giving him his marching orders, M needs him to enter a high stakes poker game in Montenegro where he has to take on the mysterious Le Chiffre, banker to the world's arms dealers. If he wins, the nefarious number cruncher will be ruined but if he loses, then Her Majesty's government will ... ...the Treasury's own accountant - the beautiful Vesper Lynd, who threatens James' heart as well as his loins.
Director Martin Campbell is the go-to guy for reinvigorating the Bond franchise. He did it with Pierce Brosnan's first outing in "Goldeneye" and manages a fine job here. It's a new style of Bond - it's less about the gadgets and girls and more about Bond as a hired killer. He's stripped away all the frivolous fluff ... more
Bond is back (to basics)! We see the young spy achieve double 0 status before causing an international incident with his first mission in Madagascar. But instead of giving him his marching orders, M needs him to enter a high stakes poker game in Montenegro where he has to take on the mysterious Le Chiffre, banker to the world's arms dealers. If he wins, the nefarious number cruncher will be ruined but if he loses, then Her Majesty's government will have actively financed terrorism. And there's the small matter of the Treasury's own accountant - the beautiful Vesper Lynd, who threatens James' heart as well as his loins.
Director Martin Campbell is the go-to guy for reinvigorating the Bond franchise. He did it with Pierce Brosnan's first outing in "Goldeneye" and manages a fine job here. It's a new style of Bond - it's less about the gadgets and girls and more about Bond as a hired killer. He's stripped away all the frivolous fluff to reveal a leaner, meaner killing machine. There are no tongue-in-cheek one-liners, no strings of bikini-clad babes and no Q. The tone is set in the opening minutes, shot in grainy black and white as we cut between Bond's first two kills; one a brutal bout of fisticuffs in a gents' toilets and the other a more sober affair in an office the spy has broken into. It harks back to old-fashioned espionage that is grittier and more realistic than previous outings in the franchise.
Without all the bells and whistles, Bond is a real man, running pell-mell after the bad guys, taking them down with bare-knuckle fights and single shots to the head. It makes him more vulnerable as he comes out of every fight with more and more injuries, grazed, bruised, bleeding and clutching his family jewels after one simple but brutally effective torture scene that will have every man in the audience whimpering in sympathy. He has more personality, engaging on an emotional level with Vesper; wooing her instead of expecting her to jump into bed at the drop of a hat. The romance between the two is the least convincing aspect of the movie, as it is too sudden and too saccharine. Can a man that disengages so readily to kill a man or seduce another's wife be so blind in affairs of the heart?
I don't want to suggest that Bond has gone soft. If anything, he's harder than ever - displaying derring-do that has been lost in recent outings. The action sequences are still big and bold, but not quite as brash, relying more on brute force than improbable gadgetry. The fights are harder and you feel the punches land, with no-one coming off lightly. There's a feeling that lives are at stake and the set-pieces are integral to the story instead of being set dressing. The post-credits free-running sequence is a breathtaking display of how the human body can almost defy the laws of physics. Craig chases parkour originator Sebastian Foucan around an island paradise before ending up on a building site where he and his adversary scale the skeleton of a building before grappling on a crane two-hundred and fifty feet up. The high-speed car chase and subsequent crash you see in the trailer are even more devastatingly effective with sound and the big stunts at Miami airport go with a bang. These sequences work because Campbell knows how to edit for speed and excitement whilst telling the story and not giving the viewer a headache. He doesn't feel the need to pre-empt them with flourishes of the Bond theme. It keeps the pacing swift and helps to build tension. So you're in for a rip-roaring hundred and forty-four minutes that doesn't scrimp on characterisation or miss out on big explosions and fast cars. However, the opening credits are some of the lamest I've ever scene looking like a cheap gaudy flash animation that's been knocked up by a fifteen year-old.
The screenplay by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and "Crash" scribe Paul Haggis is the first in a long time to go back to Ian Fleming's source novels. As a result the espionage has more authenticity to it; trying to bring down bombers and money-men rather than cackling villains hell-bent on destroying the earth with giant lasers. Bond's back-up isn't a series of foxy ladies in skimpy clothes working on their own in tropical climes - it's a bunch of average looking people in an office keeping him under surveillance so he doesn't cause embarrassment. M is more of a bureaucrat that has to answer to the powers that be whether she likes it or not. And Bond actually tries to blend in with the crowd so isn't permanently clad in designer suits.
Like the recent "Batman" movie this is a kind of creation story that shows where Bond comes from and how his early experiences as 007 shape the character. He is still cocky and has an eye for the ladies, but he's also prone to mistakes that could kill him and bring disgrace to MI6, costing him his job. But he isn't lascivious or cartoonish - he treats everything as if it is of serious consequence and doesn't mind getting down and dirty to get results. He's not even above breaking into his boss' flat to use her computer. His spy tactics are fairly basic and rely on deception and bare-knuckled beatings to get his information. His relationship with M is more that of a disapproving teacher and her wayward pupil and lacks the over-familiarity that had begun to creep in. In Vesper Lynd he has a woman that is his equal and more than capable of resisting his advances. There's a lovely scene in which they provide snappy sharp-tongued character assassinations of each other. The villain is more human this time round. He may be a banker to the world's terrorists and have a nasty facial disfigurement, but he's also a sweaty, shaking coward that knows how much he has to lose. The dialogue is less jokey than in recent films, but it is salted with nicely-timed, bone-dry quips. There's less emphasis on going for laughs and pointless spy-speak - pretty much everyone says what they mean.
I don't care if Daniel Craig is the first blonde Bond, he's the only one of the actors playing him so far that convinces as a killer. He may be short and stocky, but I'm under no illusions that he could give anyone a good shoeing. He's in the prime of physical fitness, so looks like he could do all those stunts and has cold-eyed intensity that is a neat cipher for dangerous inscrutability. He lacks the finesse and social graces of previous actors but that fits the cocky upstart the character has been reinvented as. He has good timing that makes him the first truly funny Bond and this is counterbalanced by his arrogant swagger. He doesn't have that much chemistry with his female co-star but there is a certain softness where she's concerned that makes up for it.
I can't buy into Eva Green as Treasury accountant Vesper Lynd, solely on the basis of her accent. It's not that it doesn't sound English; it's that the cadences she has in any given sentence don't feel right probably because she's speaking in her second language (French is her first). She looks the part - all polished reserve, although she's wearing more make-up than necessary. And she has a nice line in sarcasm and inner steel, resisting Bond longer than any other girl in the franchise.
As bad guy Le Chiffre, Mads Mikkelsen has two modes; sphinx-like impenetrability and all too human fear and cowardice. He's the most realistic villain for years and his twitchy turn fits the gritty new format, though he doesn't engender fear in the same way as old Bond nemeses. Judi Dench returns as a more irritable version of M. She's harsh and disapproving and as interested in covering her own back as protecting Bond's. There's a suggestion of a life outside the office, giving her wider scope. Jeffrey Wright isn't given much of a chance to do anything as CIA agent Felix Leiter, but it isn't a bad new start for the character.
If I didn't already know the original music was by David Arnold, I would have been convinced it was a John Barry score. I'm not sure whether that's a good or a bad thing. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but it feels a touch lazy. It's packed with big orchestral arrangements that are heavy on the brass. There are horn spikes aplenty and lots of jazzy touches. There are also syrupy piano motifs for the romantic scenes that are hackneyed. However, instead of using Monty Norman's original Bond theme, Arnold smothers the movie in refrains of the latest bond song, replete with brushed cymbal. That wouldn't be a bad thing were the new song not such dreary middle-of-the-road rock whose main feature is that it is very LOUD. And the irony of some bloke I've never heard of belting out a track called "You Know My Name" hasn't escaped me. Instead poor Monty's beloved tune is buried half way through the credits.
"Casino Royale" is a return to form for the Bond franchise. Martin Campbell is a capable director that just about manages to balance the action with the greater emotional depth of the story. Daniel Craig is a deserving inheritor of the Bond suit and shows himself to have the kind of mettle that might stand him in good stead as a real secret agent. The action sequences are real heart-stoppers and the back-to-basics approach makes for a more satisfying viewing experience. Still, it's a shame about the opening credits and the dreadful Chris Cornell theme song.
Advantages: Pulsating, action-packed, riveting adventure movie. Disadvantages: Not a lot!
...long line of Bond movies, Casino Royale.
Many other Bond aficionados obviously shared my trepidation. Craig was roundly criticised both online and in the mainstream media for his lack of good looks, (his ears stick out) the wrong hair colour, (he’s blond) and for lacking the required acting credentials to replace a long line of good Bond actors such as Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, and Timothy Dalton.
The only other movie of note that I could personally ... ...corrupt and evil bad guy. Casino Royale has all of these.
There’s a pulsating opening (shot in black and white) which shows Bond making his first kill as a double-O agent, and a truly breathtaking chase and fight sequence through a building site as Bond tries to capture a villain. And that’s only the beginning, as from start to finish there’s enough action in this movie to satisfy even the most addicted action junkie.
The bad guy in this movie ...
the_mad_cabbie 24.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Casino Royale (DVD)
Advantages: Exciting, entertaining, great effects, great acting Disadvantages: Too much romance, too long
...REVIEW
The plot of Casino Royale is a bit weak really. James Bond is fighting terrorism – the scourge of the 2000s! He has to win a poker game worth millions, to stop the bad guy Le Chiffre from winning the cash and using it to fund international terrorism. The poker game is to be held at the Casino Royale in Montenegro.
That’s about all you need to know really. I spent quite a bit of the film not particularly following the sub-plots, but enjoying ... ...household keeps in their bedrooms! Casino Royale delivers all of this. The car’s there too and the drink, of course, plus the classic way of saying his name. The purists must have been very happy. I was impressed by the script. There were lots of very clever lines, some of which made me laugh out loud. The quick-fire wit and humour contrasted well with the long action sequences.
The cast was very good throughout. Personally, I had only heard of ...
KarenUK 30.05.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Casino Royale (DVD)
Advantages: Some good performances, excellent stunts Disadvantages: Too much action, too little plot
...brilliant, as Bond. Knowing that Casino Royale is the first episode in Bond's varied adventures, it seemed right that he looked younger and fitter than Roger Moore, Sean Connery or Pierce Brosnan. However, I was expecting to find out a bit more about the man who is Bond, and from that point of view we are given nothing. He begins his career as 007 with no history behind him whatsoever. There is some character development during the film and we see ... ...is therefore a little late - I would have liked to know more about him as a person rather than a superhero. I missed the humour in this bond. Humour, although sometimes taken too far, did really attract me in previous films, and certainly made them more entertaining. Credit where credit is due though, he does give a really excellent performance when being tortured - his screams of pain were so realistic that I could hardly bear to watch it. Eva Green ...
sunmeilan 24.04.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Casino Royale (DVD)
Advantages: Star Studded Cast Disadvantages: Loses plot towards end
Casino Royale was the first book by Ian Fleming featuring Commander Bond.It has to be said, this is not an official Bond film, with such a star studded cast it is hard to believe, although the rumour is the next Bond film will be based on this novel.
Background
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Director's licence has taken over a bit I feel, but it does not detract from the film. It is slapstick and comedic and should not be compared with the regular Bond films. ... ...was originally made in 1967, a few years after Dr No was released.
Intro
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The film starts in France, in a gentleman's outdoor WC with a meeting with 007 and a lieutenent from the French Special police. This sets the tone of the film, as it seems to flit from place to place and can be a little awkward keeping up with all the jet set travel!
Once acquainted, the theme tune penned by Burt Bacharach kicks in and, if you think you have heard ...
Littleswamp1 14.02.2005 (15.02.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Casino Royale (DVD)
Advantages: good plot, fast paced Disadvantages: not too keen on Bond himself
...right man for the part. Casino Royale is the first film he has played the part of Bond and after saying to myself I would go see the film I never got round to it but the other night I finally watched the film and have to say I was surprisingly impressed and it wasn't as torturing an experience as I'd expected it would have been.
The film goes on with the plot of 007 going to Madagascar on a mission he is there to get an international bomb maker ... ...a poker tournament at the Casino Royale in Montenegro but Bond hopes that a loss would make Le Chiffre help the British Government. This becomes a very big game as a lot of money is being put into it. Le Chiffre wants to put more money in because he is certain of a win so he can use the money for terrorism but Bond is trying to stop this.
The film goes on it is a good plot but I think it's really hard to tell as the storyline is quite in depth. ...
ms19 17.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Casino Royale (DVD)
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Advantages: Great film ticks all the right boxes Disadvantages: None
When the ?new? Bond was announced back in 2005 I wasn?t overly impressed. It wasn?t that I didn?t rate Daniel Craig as an actor, I thought he was great in Layer Cake and thoroughly enjoyed that film and yeah he was a sexy man, but James Bond can?t be blond! It just didn?t sit right with me, but that?s personal preference I guess and the fact that all the other Bonds I had seen had been brunette/black, so I didn?t know anything else.
I therefore couldn?t get very enthusiastic when CasinoRoyale hit the big screen and I wasn?t one of the first in the queue to go and see it (not even the Orange Wednesdays offer could get me there). Instead I waited for the DVD and eventually watched it one evening when I had nothing much else to do.
CasinoRoyale ? Brief Plot Summary
It seems to be the fashion nowadays to make a couple of films ...
Advantages: Story line, film location, the new James Bond Disadvantages: Product placements
I purchased the DVD of CasinoRoyale the day it became available when Asda were selling it for a mere £7.00 on introduction day with no strings attached. Even Tesco got caught out on this one & the duty free shop at Belfast airport was boasting of a special price of £19.99!!! To think Asda would have made a profit from my £7.00, albeit a small one.
I never got round to seeing the film when it was released in late 2006 & deliberately ignored all the film reviews as I wanted to form my own opinion on the new Bond. The press certainly had plenty of criticism on Daniel Craig before the filming was even complete most of it being totally unfair.
Having now watched it, I have to say it's the best James Bond film for many years & Daniel Craig has done an excellent job as the new James Bond. What makes it better than the rest? The film ...
Advantages: Action, romance, suspense and much more. Disadvantages: disadvantages?
Productions announced Daniel Craig as the sixth Bond, when CasinoRoyale (2006) was originally premiered on the 14th of November 2006; the film grossed a massive $594,239,066 worldwide. When the DVD was released in the UK on the 19th of March 2007, in its first week an outstanding 1,622,852 copies were sold.
Cast.
Daniel Craig as James Bond
Eva Green as Vesper Lynd
Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre
Judi Dench as M
Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter
Giancarlo Giannini as Mathis
Caterina Murino as Solange
Simon Abkarain as Alex Dimitrios
Isaach De Bankole as Steven Obanno
Jesper Christensen as Mr White
Ivana Miliceviv as Valenka
Malcolm Sinclair as Dryden
Film Synopsis.
CasinoRoyale is the story of James Bond's first MI6 mission as a '00' agent, Bond mission leads ...
Contains one scene of torture and strong action violence
Video Category
Feature Film
Plot
A spoof, based on the first of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels. The story follows super-agent Bond's plans for retirement. When he relinquishes his authority to his bungling nephew, the results are disastrous. Music score by Burt Bacharach.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
MGM ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS, SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Dolby Digital Mono English French German Italian Spanish, Dolby Digital 5.1 Czech English Hungarian Dolby Digital 5.1 Spanish, Stereo Italian
Professional reviews
Review
CASINO ROYALE, the most exciting Bond film since ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, has everything you want in a pop entertainment: physical audacity, intrigue, romance, but also a charge of personality (Entertainment Weekly, 24/01/2007)
Craig is very good indeed: everything about his performance shows cunning and grace (Sight And Sound, 24/01/2007)
There's no disputing the icon is re-energised by Craig....Vibrant, vital and violent, when he utters the immortal final line, your neck hairs spike and your pulse pounds (Total Film, 24/01/2007)
DVD Description
This swinging spoof of Ian Fleming's spy hero concerns an aging James Bond (David Niven), reluctantly dragged out of retirement to face down the evil crime clique called SMERSH. In order to confound the enemy, the Secret Service sends five other agents, also under the name "Bond," and all six converge on the titular casino. Woody Allen, as the retiring superspy's nephew, causes havoc, while a flood of famous faces (and directors) revel in the silliness. And there's a great Burt Bacharach score to boot.
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