Casino Royale
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I went to see this Bond flick on opening night with Jonathan, Susan, and Lincoln. The theater was absolutely packed, but Jonathan and Susan showed up early and were very close to the front of the line so we managed to get great seats.
The movie was, in a word, fantastic. The action sequences were very well done, especially at the beginning. They obviously took a cue from District B-13 with the bomb maker in the second scene. Very cool stuff. Parkour is so fluid and realistic, it makes you feel like you yourself could do it. I mean, it’s just running, jumping, and climbing, right? ;-)
Bond’s character was a bit different than he has been in other films, but it was what I anticipated based on reviews. He was definitely not quite as smooth and polished, and definitely a bit more of a brutish Lothario than in other films. I didn’t think I’d like Craig for the part, but he did a decent job. My only complaint was his build – it was just a bit too sculpted. To me, Bond has always looked in shape, but not outrageously so. Craig looked like he worked out 2 hours a day. Maybe they just wanted to really bring out the fact that he was young and cocky.
One thing that felt very different than other bond films was the lack of a truly sinister villain. Le Chiffre didn’t feel particularly menacing, and there never was a strong sense of dread or foreboding about what was going to happen. Although dramatic nuance isn’t exactly a hallmark trait of the band franchise, so I’ll be gentle. :-)
The relationship between Bond and Lynd was surprisingly compelling. In other films you get the feeling that Bond is such a sex machine that women just melt for him. It’s always just assumed – any woman on the screen will eventually fall for Bond. But Vesper was a strong character, and the verbal ping-pong she and Bond played throughout the film served really well to make their relationship not feel so hollow. Bond seemed to legitimately care for her. I guess Craig can take some of the credit for being able to maintain the overwhelming masculinity and still bring some emotional gravity to the character that didn’t seem too overwrought.
The realism of their relationship also heighted the feeling of Vesper’s apparent betrayal towards the end. You are almost rooting Bond on as he replies to the warning. "I’ll kill her!" with a cold, "Allow me." (Not exact quotes – I can’ remember exactly what was said, but you get the idea.)
My only real complaint about the whole movie was the ending. It felt a bit abrupt and somewhat unsatisfying, because you didn’t find out anything about Mr. White. Again, the lack of a truly compelling villain was in general a negative thing. But all in all, a good addition to the Bond canon. Even at 2 and a half hours, it kept me entertained and laughing.
Oh, and one last thing. Bond driving a Ford, then winning an Aston Martin? Genius. I seriously had to do a double take when he pulled up to the hotel in the Ford. Hilarious. :-)
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