I’m an avid James Bond fan - grew up on ALL the films, so naturally followed the whole casting for the new Bond.
However, when I first learnt that it was going to be Daniel Craig this was my reaction -
the world finally has a new 007 - and his name is Daniel Craig. And I think he’s stark ugly. But hey, that’s just me.
Especially after super cutey Pierce, I was sure that ugly whathisname would be a poor and sub-standard replacement to the Bond legacy.
And then came Casino Royale.
Firstly, let me eat humble pie and admit I was not only wrong - I was WAAYY WRONG. Daniel Craig looks the part, exudes the part, he IS the part.
The movie, based on Ian Fleming’s first 007 novel by the same name, is kinda like ‘Batman Begins’ - it takes us to the starting of the story - it shows us a common hero and how he got there.
To this extent Bond is a beginner in the double 0 missions &
* is not even a double 0 in the start of the film - but we see how he becomes so
* is no longer the suave lady killer - but we see how he becomes so
* is no snazzy dresser - but we see how he becomes so
* has got no astin martin - but we see how he gets one
I particularly missed the title Bond music (tada tada ta da da, you should know what I mean) which plays through every film - there was unfortunately for me only just a tad-wee-little-hint of it at the very very fag end of the movie.
I also missed all the fancy gadgets. Some critics claim Bond is more realistic in this film - and he is - but the start of the film sees one of the villain with John-Woo-esq power to jump and fly all over the place (very crouching tiger, hidden dragon esq) while poor Bond’s taking a beating. Ok, we’ll buy.
Daniel for his part looks superb. His body is perfect. His attitude is just right for a beginner Bond who’s not yet polished into the lady-eating/villain-killing machine he becomes into.
There’s a lot more that I can add but really I wouldn’t want to give away any part of the plot or even give you a basic outline.
I’ll just say what every critic in the world has said - the movie’s fantastic. The actors are outstanding. You have to go see it.
Before I end, I have to quote what is UNdoubtedly my favorite line of the entire movie. Loved it –
The bartender asks Bond if his Martini should be “Shaken or stirred?”. And Bond says “Do I look like I give a damn?”.
Go Craig. Go Casino Royale. If you’re a Bond person, you’re gonna love this. Super Fabulous stuff.
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November 23rd, 2006 at 10:10 pm
hey… haven’t seen this movie yet…being the techy that i am… will see it on my I-pod on my way to the states…. have fun
November 23rd, 2006 at 11:50 pm
I was also of the same opinion Melody until i saw the movie and boy did Daniel Craig prove me wrong !
This is a movie not to be missed and the only ones who might feel a wee bit disappointed would be hardcore bond purists.
My fav quote was
Eva Green: Am I going to have a problem with you, Bond?
Bond: No, don’t worry. You’re not my type.
Green: Smart?
Bond: Single.
November 24th, 2006 at 3:33 am
melody i was in the same situation when i found DC was the new bond and that he signed a 3 bond films contract and wasnt sure if he could pull it of. i saw last night and it was fantastic and I like the same dialogue that Shriram has mentioned above. looked so natural while speaking it
November 24th, 2006 at 3:36 am
Very Good recommendation Melody. My Bond-crazy husband and I will no doubt see the flick now.
November 24th, 2006 at 9:26 am
Have to agree with Shriram and Tulan…that was the best line for me too
And the action sequence in the beginning is one of the best I’ve seen.
But review coming so late….almost a week later….from a Page3 celeb like you
I was hoping to see Dhoom2 review today ….
November 24th, 2006 at 10:52 am
I still think that Jason Statham (of Transporter / Lock Stock & 2 Smoking barrels fame) would be a better Bond.. love that London accent
November 24th, 2006 at 10:54 am
reconstucting the Bond persona…to suit the modern times
….BTW written a post after a long time
November 24th, 2006 at 11:36 am
@ Shriram: “the only ones who might feel a wee bit disappointed would be hardcore bond purists.” - I don’t know if I’m a “hardcore Bond purist” but I am really BIG on Bond & I wasn’t disappointed.
@ IC:
Miss my Japanese friend who used to watch the flicks with me & who was so crazy she’d buy the soundtracks… Sure your hubby will love it! Big hugs to you both!
@ Harsha: “But review coming so late….almost a week later….from a Page3 celeb like you”
Actually saw the movie almost a week ago just haven’t posted (what with me proposing to RM et all!) Saw it no Sunday, had a lovely time but no page 3 action, sorry!
@ Oneil: When they chose Craig, I though ANYONE would be better. But as you can see now, no longer of that opinion. I’m sure there are tons of others who would have done equally well in the role - but now it totally belongs to Craig.
@ Sherriff: Well actually it’s like they’ve gone back in time rather than modernize him, they’ve un-modernized him, lol. But it works!
November 24th, 2006 at 3:09 pm
I also thought he would be an ugly bond, but the reviews sound real good. Also the film promos look good.
Yet to watch the movie, but I sure will. Friends say the second half of the movie was boring. Is that so?
How was The Departed? Am more interested in watching the performance of the good ol’ man Jack Nicholson in a Martin Scorcese movie. He is one heck of an actor!!!
November 25th, 2006 at 1:44 am
jack nicholson was rather overshadowed in the departed ! which is a rather mediocre movie with a rather good initial story eventually held together to the point of salvation by the talneted actors that we will discover in leonardo and damon … nicholson doesnt have to prove anything however this isnt no cuckoo’s nest ! whalberg , sheen and baldwin impress ! so does vera farmiga ! for a movie of this calibre the smart lines are but a few ! intial reaction is a big punch as is expected of such a movie however on second thought .. it leaves a lot of things to be desired…. especially the soundtrack ! hi time scorsese got over rolling stones …
November 25th, 2006 at 10:57 am
@ inexile: Whoa! Slow down dear! You Pretty much reviewed the movie here yourself. I personally loved the film. Will hopefully find the time to do a proper review myself.
November 26th, 2006 at 10:37 am
I so totally enjoyed the movie
Unfortunately, cuaght the movie in Bangalore in a %*%# theatre with a ^#&$@&-er sound system.
I’m still to figure out why Bond did half the things he did. 
Anyway, I’m plannin to catch it once again in M’lore today.
November 26th, 2006 at 10:43 pm
i dunno.. didnt like it quite as much.. seemed too long at times.. and too much of a “chick flick”
but yeah he acted really well…..
November 27th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
@ gps: Ahh! The elusive gps returns! Of course, with a stupid (& I say this in the nicest way possible) comment about Bond being a chick flick. Er… ok.
November 28th, 2006 at 9:30 am
And here i thought the pic sucked for some of the reasons set out on my blog. I thought that DC was…well….a good Bond, but the plot so wasnt Bond!
Now i’m a self-professed Bond freak and the complete lack of action from the gadgets (read: the Aston Martin baby!) was a total let down. It was just another Mission impossible kind of action flick.
November 28th, 2006 at 9:45 am
Which was precisely why I loved the one line you hated so much - there were many funnier lines in the movie - but that one - it was so far removed from Bond that it actually was like “Whoa!” I guess Bond didn’t come out of the womb drinking Martinis shaken, not stirred - it somehow made him seem more realistic, more understandable. And in a way more human.
November 28th, 2006 at 4:32 pm
Bond?….and Human?….precisely why it was such a let down!…
Bond has always been ….a man’s man, for lack of a better way to define his persona.
And this pic, just didnt show that. Though, i do get what you’re
saying. dont agree with it though.
November 28th, 2006 at 10:14 pm
November 30th, 2006 at 9:37 am
I’ll drink to that!….Cheers!
November 30th, 2006 at 5:36 pm
To the dummy who thinks Jason Statham’s accent would make him a good Bond: oh dear, oh dear. You’re not from London are you? That would be the equivalent of casting some trailer trash redneck as a suave agent!!!