Casino Royale/James Bond

[bhchao]

Saw Casino Royale over the weekend and was quite impressed with the new James Bond, Daniel Craig. After previously watching Brosnan's mediocre Bond films (with the exception of Goldeneye), Casino Royale was certainly a refreshment.

Craig is definitely more macho than Connery's successors. He doesn't take prisoners and has a rough edge, making Brosnan look like a sissy in comparison. However he also has his charms, much more charismatic than the abysmal Dalton.

Still the best Bond is Connery. Craig could be second if he continues the performance he made in Casino Royale.

My favorite scene in the film was the gambling duel between Craig and his nemesis in the casino house, where it's all about character and ego, and reading your opponent's mind across the table without uttering a word.

[芳芳]

I haven't seen the film, so it's never great to speak about something you don't know, but i probably won't go see this film just because of the new James Bond, Craig smth.

On the few pictures i've seen from the movie, he is totally opposite to my ideal of James Bond: a very british gentleman.

Craig looks too macho, has too much muscles (bêêê), has a frightening regard (make me think of Vladimir Putin's), and don't seems spiritual or having any sense of humour. He just seems a perfect killing machine with oversized ego. (and my impressions are confirmed by what you said about his performance).

This is only my opinion after all, and note again i haven't seen the film (and perhaps that M. Craig is a very nice guy about whom I'm talking without knowing) . But i am annoyed to see they haven't found a better james Bond (even if I agree the followers of Connery where not as great as Connery was).

*sigh* When will they give George Clooney the role...*sigh* did i said that loud?

[Ian_Lee]

I haven't watched the new Casino Royale yet. But I have watched the old (and very first Bond movie) Casino Royale with David Niven as agent 007 in the '60s. And that was the only James Bond comedy ever made.

I have read the book "Casino Royale" written by Ian Fleming. One of the scenes portrayed in the book was about the torture of James Bond after he was caught. Bond was tied naked on a rattan chair with a hole cut in the center. Then his opponent used a stick to hit at his testicle from the bottom.

I guess such torture technique is not an exaggeration since Fleming had been working for the British intelligence!

[bhchao]

Craig looks too macho, has too much muscles (bêêê), has a frightening regard (make me think of Vladimir Putin's), and don't seems spiritual or having any sense of humour. He just seems a perfect killing machine with oversized ego. (and my impressions are confirmed by what you said about his performance).

You might want to take a peek here : http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/sex/702004.htm

Judi Dench lectures and raps Craig on his oversized ego during the film, telling him to control his impulses and think more rationally before acting. By the way, I think I would prefer Judi Dench over the Bond girls in Casino Royale.

One of the scenes portrayed in the book was about the torture of James Bond after he was caught. Bond was tied naked on a rattan chair with a hole cut in the center. Then his opponent used a stick to hit at his testicle from the bottom.

That scene was included in the new Casino Royale.

[Ian_Lee]

Bhchao:

Thanks. Finally there is a Bond movie that more or less conforms to the original book.

Among all the Bond movies, "From Russia with Love" should be the breakthru. While "Dr. No" is famous with the bikin-clad Ursula Andrews, "From Russia with Love" is a classic that even you watch it 30 years afterwards, you will still be attracted to this thrilling movie.

I personally cannot stand Roger Moore as 007. I think he acted better in "Saints" (the British TV series which he also acted as a secret agent) which required less hand-to-hand combat.

[roddy]

Watched this last night. It is very much a departure from the series, but a return to the books. Bond's now a much more nuanced character as he's just starting out, is nowhere near as self-assured, worries about what to do, etc - and as mentioned, gets yelled at by his female costars. It might not stand up well as a 'Bond film', but it's still stands on its own as a thriller, and it's probably the first time after watching a Bond film that I've thought 'Hey, wonder what'll happen in the next one."

If you are a fan of the books, Ian, then this could well be your new favorite Bond movie. Sony product placement was very intrusive though.

[bhchao]

Among all the Bond movies, "From Russia with Love" should be the breakthru. While "Dr. No" is famous with the bikin-clad Ursula Andrews, "From Russia with Love" is a classic that even you watch it 30 years afterwards, you will still be attracted to this thrilling movie.

That scene with Ursula coming out of the water is unforgettable. Goldfinger is my favorite. (from Connery). And Honor Blackman was not just a Bond girl. She is a classy woman.

I have not seen From Russia With Love.

The bikini-clad scene with Ursula Andrews was replicated in Casino Royale, but this time with Craig doing it.