Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Let's talk Bond, baby. James Bond.

If you’ve been working too hard this summer, you need to take a break and go rent Casino Royale, the latest James Bond movie. Have you seen it? I resisted for a long time because I wasn't sure about the new guy. I wanted to see Clive Owen in the role and my second choice would have been Hugh Jackman. And, too, the last few Bond movies have been so bad that I completely lost interest in the franchise.

Now that I’ve had a chance to see the new Bond in action, here’s my take...Clive, who? Hugh Jack-what?

I’ll just say it. Daniel Craig is the best James Bond ever. I said...ever. He is Ian Fleming's James Bond. Dark, driven and, at times, utterly vicious--the Bond that is described in both the movie and the book as ‘a blunt instrument’. This installment required a real badass with a side order of nasty and, boy, does Daniel Craig serve it up. I can’t even imagine (and don’t want to) any of the other Bond portrayers doing what he did in this movie.

Casino Royale is the beginning of Bond’s 007 career, before he became the suave, sophisticated secret agent. He’s realistic and gritty and doesn’t resort to the usual bag of silly gadgets and tricks that had begun to make the character cartoonish. And there's a pretty wonderful love story to boot. It is the love story—and the resolution—that creates the smooth, yet chauvinistic Bond of the future.

Still not convinced? Watch this clip and tell me this isn't one of the most romantic scenes in recent movie history?



Amanda Stevens
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4 comments:

  1. the first time I seen Casino Royale, I had mixed feelings over Daniel Craig .. then I watched it again, and I thought WOW he's amazing! ... I love that they've made him darker, edgier, much much more alpha ... and yes, very much the Bond Ian Fleming first wrote ... I sincerely hope this is the new trend for Bond, though I hear Daniel Craig is contracted for only one more Bond movie and may pass after that ... I certainly hope not!

    He's is adorable! .. and that sexy pout! .. oh, be still my heart!

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  2. That's the thing about this movie. It gets better with each viewing. There are just so many great touches. Like the first time Bond sees himself in the mirror wearing the fitted dinner jacket. Such a small thing and yet such wonderful character development.

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  3. Hi Amanda,

    I watched Casino Royale based on your recommendation and I couldn't agree with you more. It's like all the past characters doing James Bond were moving in a comic book and that's the real person. I feel even the movie took more time to concentrate on the man rather than the fancy equipments he uses. I mean at some point Pierce Brosnan had actually a car that could disappear. But the latest movie was more human and showed a man that can be touched..hurt and can still be a ruthless agent. Generally I think James Bond finally got depth in personality. And by the way it is really the most romantic scene I ever ran across lately:)

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  4. Oh, Mona, I'm so glad it didn't disappoint you! I just can't tell you how much I love this movie. I've seen in three times already, and I never do that. The character development was just so smart. The martini line...excellent. The first time he says "Bond, James Bond"...brilliant. This is truly a dangerous James Bond and I'm loving it.

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