Casino Royale (2006) Review

[WriteSimply]

Okay, you got the first scoop, provided you are awake at the time I post this.

I had a rather strange feeling watching it, but in a good way. It is a throwback to George Lazenby's Bond film instead of the Connery/Moore/Brosnan films, with a hat-tip to the Dalton films which were R-rated. A big clue as to how the film will proceed comes from the opening sequence. It's not flashy, not campy, not high tech. Instead it is brutal, nasty and calculated.

And then you get to the opening sequence, which is nicely done and doesn't feature gratuitous female figures.

I'll dispense with the plot as usual. I must say though that the first hour is filled with action. The first action sequence is a marvel to see. Can you say V for Vertigo? These action-packed scenes however serve a story and there is a story, much more so that the Brosnan Bond films. As the film rolls on, you'll find yourself not knowing what's going to happen next. This is a new Bond series. It has action, drama and intrigue.

Coming at the heels of Universal Pictures' Bourne movies (the third Bourne is coming out summer 2007), Casino Royale looks like it is playing catch-up with Bourne. Indeed, the demographics have changed since Moore/Connery films were popular. The transition to make Bond more realistic required a change of flair. That is why Daniel Craig was chosen. It would have been interesting to see how Clive Owen would have put his spin on it. But it is still rather refreshing to see how versatile Craig is in one film and how layered he portrayed his Bond. I can't wait to see what the next Bond will bring.

Fans of home theater will love this film for its cinematography and sound design when it eventually arrives on BD. Oh, did I forget to mention that the film features a cameo appearance of a HD optical disc format?

Casino Royale is an entertaining film and will win new fans for the Bond franchise. The gamble paid off. It's time to cash in the chips.

By the way, how does Bond like his Martini again?


fuad