2008 Woodie Awards
Back to Bond
Film tells story of debonair's beginnings
Blair Tellers, Staff Writer
Issue date: 11/21/06
Last Updated: 12/26/07
Last Friday "Casino Royale," the much anticipated Bond film featuring Daniel Craig as the new 007, hit theatres and was received by a sold-out theater of expectant viewers.
"Casino Royale" moves the James Bond movie franchise in an exciting new direction, putting a fresh spin on the classic movie series.
The unique thing about Royale is that it is an establishing movie. The Bond we have grown accustomed to doesn't walk around in debonair tuxes ordering dry martinis. In fact, the trademark line "Bond, James Bond," emerges only once at the very end of the film.
Bond doesn't even sport the handsomely tailored suit until his partner, Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) takes charge and finds him something impressionable to wear. "Casino Royale" is, in a word, about the making of the legend.
This time around the plot takes us back to the making of Bond, who has only recently been promoted to 00 status. The series reinvigorates itself by reverting to the basics, which allows the viewers to see how James Bond was made into the suave, heart breaking, ass-kicking agent women love and men admire.
If you are a fan of the fabulous gadgets and automobiles that Bond traditionally gets to play with and destroy in all of the other films, "Casino Royale" does not offer an array of flashy gizmos and outrageously sexy cars for at least the first half of the film.
The Aston Martin doesn't make its appearance until the second half of the movie, and even then it only sports a first aid kit and a gun. But hey, don't be disappointed - there is more to the movie than flashy special effects and visually-explosive scenes.
Royale employs a great balance between dialogue and action scenes, making this Bond flick more believable and, for once, not so outrageously over the top. Many of the movie's doors pivot on the hinges of intelligent dialogue and crucial scenes of wit.
While the visuals in the movie are cinematically pleasing, the well-crafted script cancels the story's need to depend on outrageous and unbelievable special effects, adding to the artistic credibility of the film.
"Casino Royale" moves the James Bond movie franchise in an exciting new direction, putting a fresh spin on the classic movie series.
The unique thing about Royale is that it is an establishing movie. The Bond we have grown accustomed to doesn't walk around in debonair tuxes ordering dry martinis. In fact, the trademark line "Bond, James Bond," emerges only once at the very end of the film.
Bond doesn't even sport the handsomely tailored suit until his partner, Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) takes charge and finds him something impressionable to wear. "Casino Royale" is, in a word, about the making of the legend.
This time around the plot takes us back to the making of Bond, who has only recently been promoted to 00 status. The series reinvigorates itself by reverting to the basics, which allows the viewers to see how James Bond was made into the suave, heart breaking, ass-kicking agent women love and men admire.
If you are a fan of the fabulous gadgets and automobiles that Bond traditionally gets to play with and destroy in all of the other films, "Casino Royale" does not offer an array of flashy gizmos and outrageously sexy cars for at least the first half of the film.
The Aston Martin doesn't make its appearance until the second half of the movie, and even then it only sports a first aid kit and a gun. But hey, don't be disappointed - there is more to the movie than flashy special effects and visually-explosive scenes.
Royale employs a great balance between dialogue and action scenes, making this Bond flick more believable and, for once, not so outrageously over the top. Many of the movie's doors pivot on the hinges of intelligent dialogue and crucial scenes of wit.
While the visuals in the movie are cinematically pleasing, the well-crafted script cancels the story's need to depend on outrageous and unbelievable special effects, adding to the artistic credibility of the film.
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