Friday, February 19, 2010

Casino Royale (2006) (PG-13)


Casino Royale (2006) (PG-13)
Directed by Martin Campbell
Starring: Daniel Craig, Eva Green

Daughter Says:

Casino Royale, based in many places, took me on the ride of a lifetime. The movie started out in a black & white scene with amazing angles that even Citizen Kane would be jealous of. Even with the color taken out of the scene it creates a the impression of a vivid murder done by Bond, Daniel Craig. I must add this tidbit, he was one good looking Bond.

After killing off one criminal, it goes to the credits starting with traditional Bond opening, a gun shot and Bond surrounded by black. As the credits roll on they give the impression that this will be about poker, by having people made by cards get beat to a pulp. I really loved the credits.

The rest of the movie is in beautiful colors. Set first in Africa, then goes to London, finally to Miami with a few spots before that. While in Miami, Bond is confronted with one problem, he finally meets a girl who isn't in love with him. That must have pushed his huge ego down a notch.

Apart from hurt feelings, he has to win a poker game to catch the main villain, Mads Mikkelsen. While playing, Bond loses all his money, gets poisoned, and wins the heart of the one girl that doesn't find him attractive, Eva Green. Major problems come Bond's way, including an awful but funny torture scene. This scene is brutal for any man, and everyone can feel Bond's pain as they watch it.

Overall this movie was spectacular. I loved it and would watch it again any time. It was also the first Bond movie I've really liked. So I'm going to have to give Casino Royale an "A+".

Daddy Says:

A brand new Bond, the 21st in the film series, but this one is based on the very first James Bond Novel. This was a really great reboot of the decades old franchise. Daniel Craig does a marvellous job as James Bond, really intense in his characterization, very physical. After the opening black & white flashback, which shows how Bond got his "OO" status, we are treated to one of the most incredible street chases I've seen in the movies. Bond chases after actor/Parkour innovator Sebastien Foucan, who helped produce the scene, up the sides of skyscrapers, across the machinery building it, leaping from rooftop to rooftop. It's a scene that really sets the tone for the rest of the film.

Eva Green plays Bond's love interest, Vespar Lynd. Says Bond: "I hope you gave your parents hell for that" referring to yet another oddly named female in a James Bond film. It's the little self-referential touches scattered throughout the movie that I really enjoyed. A bartender asks Bond if he wants his martini "shaken or stirred"; Bond's response gets a big laugh from us longtime Bond fans.

The movie's plot is slightly over-complicated, but it doesn't really matter much in the end. There's action galore, pretty girls, a strong male lead, humor, glamorous locations, what more could you want from a James Bond movie.

My Grade for Casino Royale: A

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