Casino Royale Reviews

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  • NightshooterNightshooter In bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
    I've only seen it three times, so I'll have to see it another two to tell you that. ;)

    Seriously, though, I don't remember if we saw it getting that close on the GPS locator, but my guess is that you could with a government locator.
  • highhopeshighhopes Posts: 1,358MI6 Agent
    'hopes, I just don't go along with your explanations. 'Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps...' I certainly did not pick up on the fact that Bond had located Demetrius' exact whereabouts when he took that call, didn't even know you could do that with a mobile signal. I doubt many in the cinema would have got that point, but maybe it's obvious on the fifth viewing... BTW you don't really have to take my criticisms that personally, they're directed at the forum generally, though I sense you're a zealot...

    I have said some nice things about CR y'know. On the other hand is there ANYTHING you didn't like about that film, or did you sit through it in a state of giddy euphoria...? :p

    I know you have, but I don't enjoy those posts as much. And I do really like your posts, so in that sense, I do take them "personally." They're fun to read and even more so to me because I disagree with them many times. And I have to admit I love to debate (especially movies), and your comments about the film give me something interesting to write about. I mean, how many times can you write "Yeah man, you're absolutely right, I agree with you 100 percent" before you get bored and stop posting altogether? I don't know if you're familiar with a pair of American movie critics on TV, Roger Ebert and (the late) Gene Siskel. Ebert has carried on with a series of guest critics, but the show isn't the same. He and Siskel used to really debate and argue and it was fun to watch. It's a lot duller now.

    But I'm sorry. I certainly didn't mean to bum you out and I will be less "pit bullish" in the future.

    But to answer your question: Giddy euphoria doesn't quite describe the pleasure I felt at seeing CR grab the Bond formula by the neck and put it at the service of the film rather than the other way around. And if a piece didn't fit -- throwing it away. It felt fresh, new. I realize that the very qualities I see in the movie are liabilities to its detractors. I haven't enjoyed a Bond film as much since Goldfinger, and that was a long time ago. It's not that I didn't enjoy the rest, but they all pretty much are a jumble in my head, one indistinguishable from the rest.

    I joined AJB because I was intrigued by the brouhaha over Craig's casting and the proposed direction of the film and just jumped in one day to defend both. I was pleased when he and the rest of the filmmakers actually delivered.

    But let's see -- was there anything I didn't like about CR? Well, I didn't care much for the look of the film ... ;) :))
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,238MI6 Agent
    edited February 2007
    Well I should of course point out that these things can flare up a bit on a forum. Why? Well if I met someone who liked Casino Royale (and I have) I would probably keep comments to a minimum or even just say I liked itm too, or be economical in my comments. I mean, if I met you highhopes for instance, in an office, there's no way on earth I'd actually wander up to you and start ticking off all the things I didn't like about your fave film of recent years... :)) Then come back to deliver more comments the next day... :o can you imagine that! :D It would be fisticuffs.
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • highhopeshighhopes Posts: 1,358MI6 Agent
    What you say about forums is true. That's at least in part what they're there for. But if you were to meet me in an office, I can promise you that there isn't anything you could say about CR or any other movie that would lead to fisticuffs on my part. In fact, I'd find it hard to come up with any subject that would lead to that. I think people should be argue to argue without physical violence or animosity. My best friend, for instance, is very conservative while I'm pretty liberal and we've been known to argue strenuously. But he's my pal and that's that.
    Of course NP, it goes without saying that if you were to criticize CR at my office, I would simply crush you with my wit and wisdom. ;) :)) (Just teasing)
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,238MI6 Agent
    Talking of which, hh, being a Woody Allen fan, perhaps that was one thing you might think the original had over the 'remake'! ;)
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • highhopeshighhopes Posts: 1,358MI6 Agent
    Talking of which, hh, being a Woody Allen fan, perhaps that was one thing you might think the original had over the 'remake'! ;)

    You know, I don't think I've ever seen the original. I vaguely remember reading about it when it was released. I was just a kid, but was fascinated that Ursula, like the DB5, apparently had machine guns in her "headlights." I'm kind of a critic of too many gadgets in Bond films, but I think I could enjoy those over and over again. :))
  • florrichflorrich Posts: 1MI6 Agent
    Hi Everyone, i'm from argentina, I've just saw this movie last weekend and I loved it. I just have a question (very,very easy one) for you JB fans
    Daniel Craig responds "Yes,..." in some parts of the movie (my ex boyfriend used to answer me like that all the time) and at the moment I cant remember the next word, I keep thinking of certainly but I know that that is not the word. Will anyone be kind enough to help me out?
  • NightshooterNightshooter In bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
    Perhaps you mean when he responds "Yes... considerably"?
  • ClassicClassic Posts: 51MI6 Agent
    Hello everybody !

    I saw CR 4 times. This film is amazing !{[]
    I read critics, i understand them but, i think we can sy "Bond is back in action !".
    Eva Green is so gorgeous ! She reminds me Tracy.
    Her disastrous fate is so related to Mrs. Bond!:'(
  • 3rbrown3rbrown MI6 Top Secret - Scotland, GlaPosts: 100MI6 Agent
    edited March 2007
    I saw Casino Royale 3 times and never tired of seeing, ever time I saw it i loved it more. Casino Royale is the best Bond film with the best actor. I thought I would hate it even though they said they were going back to the old type of Bond I didn't belive them but I was proved wrong. I didn't think they would do a dark and gritty Bond after Licence To Kill (Which wasn't as bad as people think) flopped but this time it worked. I can't wait till Bond 22!
    Can someone tell me did Casino Royale win any BAFTA awards? Thanks!
  • CatarinitaCatarinita Posts: 25MI6 Agent
    Well, I first watched Casino Royale in the cinema, which is twice or even more as impressive as watching it on DVD. Then I bought DVD with the English sound, and still think it's one of the best Bond movies. Craig is very close to Flemming's Bond, and u even forget about his being blond and kinda short (the last, btw, is very well hidden by the camera-work;))The movie seems to be very very well made, and I'm sure Craig is the best Bond after Connery=))):007)
  • arthur pringlearthur pringle SpacePosts: 366MI6 Agent
    Catarinita wrote:
    Craig is very close to Flemming's Bond, and u even forget about his being blond and kinda short (the last, btw, is very well hidden by the camera-work;))The movie seems to be very very well made, and I'm sure Craig is the best Bond after Connery=))):007)

    It is amazing what they can do with strategic camera angles these days. Not a lot of people know this but Pierce Brosnan is only 5'3 in real life. He had to stand on a box to look taller than his leading ladies.

    Welcome to the forum btw {[]
  • CatarinitaCatarinita Posts: 25MI6 Agent
    Thanx, Arthur=) Hope will be here often=)))

    Yep, amazing...I once read some stuff about Brosnan being short but didn't pay any attention...And the box-thing is hilarious!{[]:))
    Though doubt that they can't help the situation with the camera-angles...The box seems toooo old trick=) LOL:)
  • FatsnbulFatsnbul Prospect, KentuckyPosts: 79MI6 Agent
    A not so nice review of Casino Royale. I do agree though with some of his points.

    http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=26835
  • bluemanblueman PDXPosts: 1,667MI6 Agent
    Weird review, that one. Oh well.
  • DEFIANT 74205DEFIANT 74205 Perth, AustraliaPosts: 1,881MI6 Agent
    edited March 2007
    Fatsnbul wrote:
    A not so nice review of Casino Royale. I do agree though with some of his points.

    http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=26835

    I actually agree with everything the author said except the bit about Timothy Dalton's performances (I would rate Dalton as the second best Bond behind Connery) and the return to a more serious, literature Bond. I believe that is the direction that Bond films should take. After all, James Bond is a character created by Fleming, yet the movie character of Bond is sometimes a long way from the man Fleming had initially envisaged.

    One thing I definitely agree on is Dame Judi Dench's take on M's character. Definitely out of place in a Bond film, IMO.

    Casino Royale isn't one of the best Bond films, but it certainly isn't bad, either. I have seen it twice, and wouldn't hesitate to see it again or recommend it.
    "Watch the birdie, you bastard!"
  • The Sly FoxThe Sly Fox USAPosts: 467MI6 Agent
    edited March 2007
    I'm about to eat my hat. :O

    ...and my words, considering all the negative things I said about old Danny before seeing Casino Royale. To describe CR, one word simply does it: awesome. I had no idea it would be nearly as good as it was. It exceeded my expectations in every way. It was a near-perfect Bond film.

    I finally got to see this film, and I believe I found the last theater in the state of Oregon playing it. I had to drive sixty miles, but it was well worth it. CR shows a completely different side of Bond from what we're used to seeing. I'm a Brosnan fan as much as anyone, but Craig's performance was absolutely brilliant. I have to say, I often wondered why Bond's emotional side was rarely shown, and why he was always portrayed as a cold-blooded killer with little use for getting attached to a woman. Well, now I know.

    Bond fell in love with a woman, was willing to leave his job for her. Instead of spending her life with him, she betrayed and used him so she could be with her real true love. Tragic, truly tragic. We don't really need to see what this did to Bond, because we know from all the other adventures we've seen him on. He can take home all the women he wants, but when it comes to anything more, it's strictly a love 'em and leave 'em policy. As we know, he broke his own rule once, only to yet another tragic end.

    This film dares to explore the unexplored side of Bond, to tell a story of why he is the way he is. Bond's words of "the bitch is dead," and M's words of "You don't trust anyone, do you? ... Then you've learned your lesson" explain it well. Bond trusts no one because he can't afford to. He knows that if he does, it will only lead him to ruin. Arguably a horrible life for anyone to lead, but it was the hand he was dealt. This film truly adds a great deal of depth to the character, and Craig should be proud he was the one to play such a role.

    He did a fine job of it, too. I was completely shocked by the quality of his performance. This is not just a great Bond film, this is one of the great films of the decade. CR deserves to become as iconic in the Bond world as GoldenEye and From Russia With Love. And to be honest, I found Craig's Bond to be as good, if not better than Brosnan's Bond. I'm not even sure if the two can even be compared, as they're so completely different from each other. The gadget-laden, suave, pristine Bond that Brosnan showed us is on the opposite end of the spectrum from the gritty, no-nonsense, git-r-done attitude (save the Southern accent) Bond that Craig shows us. In my opinion of the best Bond, it's a complete toss-up, but if I had to choose, Craig would win by a narrow margin.

    As for the other aspects, the directing was fantastic, all the actors delivered perfectly. The music was brilliant, but totally different from the techno that was given to us before. However it still showed David Arnold's signature style that you really can't put a name on, you just know it's there when you hear it. The location was beautiful and the card game kept me on the edge of my seat (and I don't play cards at all). As for the length of the film, I didn't find it long at all. Most of the film was non-stop action and I don't think a single bit of time was wasted. As for the theme song and the title sequence, the gunbarrel, etc., I'm afraid I can't comment on them, because... Well I was late to the theater. ;) I only got to see it from the part where Bond was chasing the terrorist to the embassy (which was quite a good sequence, by the way).

    Overall, I have to say it was an absolutely fantastic film that has changed the way I think of Bond. My rating: 007. The best Bond film yet!!! {[]
  • Jermaine76Jermaine76 Posts: 40MI6 Agent
    Fatsnbul wrote:
    A not so nice review of Casino Royale. I do agree though with some of his points.

    http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=26835

    Damn. I didn't like the film or Craig either, but this guy took it to the extreme. He was dead on with his opinions except for Timothy Dalton. Dalton is my man and the most accurate to the Bond in the novels. I've dissed Craig back in November and continue to do so, but I do believe he needs one more movie to prove himself to the anti-craig campaign.
  • Jermaine76Jermaine76 Posts: 40MI6 Agent
    Fatsnbul wrote:
    A not so nice review of Casino Royale. I do agree though with some of his points.

    http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=26835

    Damn. I didn't like the film or Craig either, but this guy took it to the extreme. He was dead on with his opinions except for Timothy Dalton. Dalton is my man and the most accurate to the Bond in the novels. I've dissed Craig back in November and continue to do so, but I do believe he needs one more movie to prove himself to the anti-craig campaign.
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,988Quartermasters
    edited March 2007
    I'll just go out on a limb and say---as a supporter and big fan of Craig as Bond---that poor Danny will never prove himself to the most virulent of the Anti-Craig crowd. He's not Pierce Brosnan (or any of his other predecessors), which is clearly unforgivable, :)) and that isn't going to change when cameras roll on #22...

    All he can do is turn in the best performance possible, which IMO he did with CR. As with all Bond series entries, so much depends upon the quality of the script, but I'm personally very happy with the current health---and prospects for the immediate future---of Agent 007.
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • Jermaine76Jermaine76 Posts: 40MI6 Agent
    I'll just go out on a limb and say---as a supporter and big fan of Craig as Bond---that poor Danny will never prove himself to the most virulent of the Anti-Craig crowd. He's not Pierce Brosnan (or any of his other predecessors), which is clearly unforgivable, :)) and that isn't going to change when cameras roll on #22...

    All he can do is turn in the best performance possible, which IMO he did with CR. As with all Bond series entries, so much depends upon the quality of the script, but I'm personally very happy with the current health---and prospects for the immediate future---of Agent 007.

    I hear ya on that one. I think one of the problems is that us diehard 007 fans wanted a more grittier, more hardcore James Bond and now that we've seen an attempt of this, IMO, 70% of the fans are ****ed about it. Its like that saying goes, "be careful for what you wish for." When I was aronnd 13. I'd always wanted a Bond to be more of a gunslinger. Someone who would run around and shoot the whole place up. That scene in GoldenEye when Brosnan is running through the library with an AK-47 was like a dream coming true. It looked intense and realistic. His running didn't have that rehearsed look like Craig has when he's running towards the Aston Martin.
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,988Quartermasters
    Well, at $600 million in box office, one might reasonably wonder just how p****d off they are...movies don't make numbers like that without repeat viewings...did these fans just get more p****d with each viewing?

    And the running thing... :))
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • Jermaine76Jermaine76 Posts: 40MI6 Agent
    edited March 2007
    And to add to that, EON just shook things up for this movie and that added more fuel to the already hatred that anti-craig people demonstated. Think about it. You go from 1962-2002 with the movie opening up with the white dot crossing the screen and then seeing Bond walk towards the middle and then BANG...the blood drips down to having a semi version of the gun barrel at the end of the pre-title sequence. They've tampered with tradition and Bond fans are heated. Hell, I said WTF when the white dot moved up in TWINE instead of down like the other movies.
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,988Quartermasters
    edited March 2007
    I can only refer you to the thread entitled: "Royale is a smash at the box office"

    $600 million worth of p****d off fans...however will Eon rebound?

    See you in line to buy tickets for #22... {[]

    :007)
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • Jermaine76Jermaine76 Posts: 40MI6 Agent
    edited March 2007
    I can only refer you to the thread entitled: "Royale is a smash at the box office"

    $600 million worth of p****d off fans...however will Eon rebound?

    People like to pull the box office sales out as proof of how good CR and Craig are. This is incorrect. Think about it. A new Bond is here...so people are going to be curious about it. They've like Brosnan...every movie he did made more money than the previous one. So they go and check out Craig, especially after all the hatred he recieved. They want to know what the big was about. I'm willing to bet that most of the people who loved this film non or average 007 fans. Plus, you have to add Sony's massive campaign to promote the damn film also. The Anti-Craig websites hurt themselves on this. I'm anti-Craig, but I was willing to give him a chance and I can't boycott a 007 film. I don't have the heart to do so. Hell, I'll be at Wal-mart 12am tonight to pickup my copy of CR and then make a custom made DVD case and label it "The Dark Age of 007: Volume I". Its not the first movie that counts...its the second one. Just like in boxing and other sports. Winning the heavyweight title is one thing, defending it is another. Can Craig top CR's numbers with the second film? We'll find out next year.
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,988Quartermasters
    edited March 2007
    I'm not offering box office as proof that it's good...merely proof that it's successful ;) I know it's good, and thankfully don't require any validation from others. OHMSS, one of my favourite Bonds, was one of the less successful...so there we are.

    My question is: How many times does someone have to view the film before his/her curiosity is satisfied? My answer: Once...if he/she didn't like it.
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • HardyboyHardyboy Posts: 5,882Chief of Staff
    Jermaine76 wrote:
    People like to pull the box office sales out as proof of how good CR and Craig are.

    It's no longer up, but we used to have a poll where our members could rate CR, and the numbers for it were very high. Also, if you look at the pages for CR on BoxOfficeMojo.com and RottenTomatoes.com , you'll see that the user ratings on BOM are a collective A-, and that the user reviews on RT are equally good. Also, take a look at the thread here called "How many times have you seen CR?"--plenty of diehard Bond fans went to see it several times; so I don't believe CR's box office success was due just to the curiosity factor.
    Vox clamantis in deserto
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,988Quartermasters
    Jermaine76 wrote:
    ...I'll be at Wal-mart 12am tonight to pickup my copy of CR and then make a custom made DVD case and label it "The Dark Age of 007: Volume I".

    I hope that collection has at least five volumes :v ---all starring Daniel Craig.
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
    "Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
  • Jermaine76Jermaine76 Posts: 40MI6 Agent

    See you in line to buy tickets for #22... {[]

    :007)

    And I'll be there right behind you. The expensive popcorn will be on me. ;)
  • ShadeShade Posts: 2MI6 Agent
    edited March 2007
    Having been a huge fan of JB films since I saw Dr. No at age 12 I was eager to see who would replace Pierce Brosnan and sad that he was replaced at the same time. When Daniel Craig was chosen, I was less than enthusiastic and underwhelmed. I had seen Mr. Craig in other films and although I thought of him as a very good actor, he didn't seen like Bond to me. However, everyone deserves a chance and when I saw the film I viewed it with an open mind. Actually, when I first thought of Mr. Brosnan as Bond I thought he was too slight for the part. But I discovered after seeing a few moments of "Goldeneye" that Mr. Brosnan was a good fit.
    CR was a good action film, everything was there, stunts, fast paced action, locales, beautiful people, thrills, and chills. Everything was in the film--everything except James Bond. CR is a good action flick, but it is not a James Bond film. There were some excellent scenes for Mr. Craig, my favorite was his scene with Vesper on the train, brilliant! But Mr. Craig is NOT JB!!!
    Even the opening credits were as flat as American(?) politician John Kerry's jokes. Awful, trite, uninspired, unimaginative, worse than boring!
    I have all the JB films going back to VHS, Laserdisc, dvd, and the new and improved collection of dvds. But, I will not own this one!
    I recently heard that Mr. Craig commented that if "asked again to play JB" he "would like to play Bond as a homosexual". WOW!! Now that would be Bond right?? This guy is out of his flipping mind!! That would mean that Her Majesty's Secret Service would have to revoke Bond's double o status and change it to a double zero status.
    Of course the 45 year run that JB has had would be over rather quickly and deservedly so!!!!
    Sad to say this was not a good installment in the Bond films collection. The producers need to go back and review what the essence of Bond is, write a Bond script that is in tune with the character and his history. Also, they need to choose another actor, anyone of the other contenders would be fine, just not Mr. Craig.
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