Seems like we're getting back on an even keel with the rating viewings now. Quite liking the new pag...
Seems like we're getting back on an even keel with the rating viewings now. Quite liking the new pages in a way. Thanks for all your rates.
Member since:07.11.2005
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How eager were we all when we heard that the latest Bond film was to be a remake of Casino Royale? I, for one, couldn't wait. Then, the announcement of Daniel Craig as James Bond was made. The potential was there, sure, but I remember thinking they would have to make a really mind-blasting film to kick off Craig's stint as the suave 007.
And what a film!! Following a brief black and white explanation of Bond's elevation to 'Double 0' status, it starts as it means to go on, with an intense free-running chase. Without giving any spoilers, the end of this scene left me breathless. And thus it continued.
The quality of filming is high. Martin Campbell's direction takes Bond to a modern and sophisticated level only suggested in previous installments, with the plot a simple yet effective one, where Bond is placed at a high stakes poker table to outplay a ruthless financier named Le Chiffre under threat from his terrorist clentele. The casting is outstanding. Dame Judi Dench excels as 'M', and the sultriness of Bond girls never ceases to amaze me. Eva Green, as Vesper Lynd, provides brains as well as beauty, and Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre is a villain to send shivers down your spine. And, naturally Daniel Craig as James Bond oozes the confidence and appeal that makes every man want to be him........
Yet the best thing about the film is the emotional factor. Rarely before have we see an emotional sidee to James Bond, or a little history. Craig's Bond seems almost reckless, over-confident verging on arrogant, and too concerned for the safety of Miss Lynd - subtle, but not particularly Bond-like. However, this is completely deliberate, as well as necessary, because it shows us why Bond is how we have come to know him in his other exploits. A truly remarkable acting performance from Daniel Craig.
The contemporary feel of the film is enhanced by the choice of soundtrack. Many Bond songs have been highly appropriate, and none more so than Chris Cornell's 'You Know My Name', a track I found suited the mood of the film more so than other Bond tracks in the past. I was a little surprised it wasn't more successful commercially.
I bought the single-disc edition for £7 on a whim from Tesco. I merely wanted to see the film. Having watched a couple of documentaries on the film, I was not particularly interested in multiple features and extras, so was not disappointed to find this edition had none bar an option for subtitles.
At 2 hrs and 18 minutes, the film is perhaps a little long, although it is hard to see where they could have cropped it without spoiling the film. I did have to take a small break in the middle - the intensity was too much for one sitting - but this is more a comment than a criticism. I thoroughly enjoyed the DVD experience, and agree with its rating of 12 - there are some scenes parents would not feel comfortable letting their children watch, a torture scene being a prime example, but nothing too heavy.
I highly rate this DVD.I shall not buy another version, but eagerly anticipate the next Bond film.
Thanks for reading. Please rate this review and have a look at my others if you would. Thanks.
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Production Year: 1992 - Comedy - Director: Luis Mandoki - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Melanie Griffith, Don Johnson, John Goodman
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
never watched a James Bond before this (shocking I know), thought that the gadgets were lame (I've seen better on bloody alias & bones for goodness sake) and that the storyline was a bit shite. Heard they're bringing out another one this year, I myself wont b watching it. Kirsty
IzzyS 14.01.2008 11:05
I also liked this movie... good review
Seresecros 13.01.2008 22:47
I really enjoyed this film, and your review sums it up admirably.
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![Casino Royale [DVD] [1967]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78531290.jpg "Casino Royale [DVD] [1967]")
Jan 13th, 2008
(Feb 14th, 2008)
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helpful by (18%):
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