Casino Royale "A"

Does It Look Like I Give A Damn?

I can't believe this movie has already been out a month and I definitely can't believe I waited this long to see it. I have to admit I've loved James Bond flicks ever since I first saw "Diamonds Are Forever" at summer camp when I was 8 years old. I think if I saw "Casino Royale" today as an 8 year old, I would have decided right then and there to become a filmmaker.

Director Martin Campbell and the new and improved Bond, Daniel Craig have made an amazingly textured and convincing film. You actually believe what Bond says and does and thankfully there is no comic relief, no smugness or campiness, just pure heart.

I have to say that I was just as concerned as anyone that Daniel Craig was chosen as the new Bond. I guess it's all those years of cheeky remarks being pounded down our throats that conditioned us to a certain type of Bond. I mean Bond has to act a certain way, do certain things, sleep with everyone in the film, etc. But here we have a story, partly due to the fact that "Casino Royale" is one of the darkest and multi-layered Ian Fleming (also the first) books and that the 1967 original movie was made as a comedic farce (to get rid of that pesky story). But not only is the story very good (love story and all) but Daniel Craig infuses Bond with a sorely needed testosterone shot. The tone is much edgier and nastier than any Bond film since the Connery days and Craig is definitely the first Bond since Sean Connery that when he looks at a woman, you are not sure if he will kill her or kiss her. It doesn't hurt that Craig is an accomplished actor and he actually has given us interesting and riveting performances (especially in recent films like "Layer Cake" and "Munich"). He is extraordinary in this film and let me tell you, I'm converted. He makes all those Pierce Brosnan films look like G-Rated cartoons. Wow, I'm impressed.
The rest of the cast does extremely well too. From Eva Green who plays first love Vesper Lynd, to Mads Mikkelsen who plays baddie Le Chiffre, heck even Jeffrey Wright as longtime Bond ally and CIA agent Felix Leiter (sorely underused) are all very good in their roles. The level of acting all across the board (except a miscast Judi Dench) was impressive, it's almost like they they were in another film, a film about love and loss. Whenever you think the film is slowing down and becoming too serious, WHAM a spectacular (in a good way) action scene happens.

So, let's talk technical. The gadgets take a backseat to plot line but hey, this IS still a Bond film and the action sequences are some of the best I have ever seen. They are not only believable (mostly) but have the brute physicality and attitude that only someone like Daniel Craig can deliver. Another one of the hallmarks of a Bond film are the locations, and let me tell you they are breathtaking. Not since "The Man with a Golden Gun" have the locations been photographed so incredibly lush that you wish you were James Bond so you could just go there. The cinematography by Phil Meheux is absolutely perfect with not a wasted shot or angle. The camera moves are not way overdone like action films in recent years. You know, where every single shot is a dolly shot always moving this way and that. The colors and richness he has achieved here are simply astounding while using a mixture of film and HD. The editing by Stuart Baird is expertly done while never wasting a frame of celluloid. This is the way you make a action film (are you listening Michael Bay and Bruckheimer?). A perfect convergence of story, acting, direction, visuals, music and editing. This folks, is a filmmaking clinic.

My predictions? Oscar noms for cinematography and editing at the minimum, production design, directing and best actor if there is any justice.

You don't have to be fan of James Bond to really enjoy this expert piece of filmmaking. Just see this film but please don't bring anyone under 8 years old, or if you do, keep them quiet.