My misgivings about CR - which is a very good Bond film - are not to do with its principals' performances but with its lumpen structure: we have two extended action sequences, and a detour via TB territory (Nassau), before getting into the adaptation of 'Casino Royale' proper. The plot is coherent but the structure is odd. Also, I think some of the general audience may have been disoriented by the 'early' death of Le Chiffre, the main villain, since this comes well before the film is over with: faithful to the book, certainly; but not faithful to the established (cosy) formula of Bond films.
Craig is a mid/mid-to-high ranking Bond, imho, and a skilled actor. MGW and Barbara Broccoli were certainly going out of their way to break the mould but, particularly when watching CR for the first time, I realised how much I missed a Bond with a 'likeable' personality. (Step forward Sir Roger!) On a positive note, I liked CR's instrumental music as a Barry-esque David Arnold score finally unencumbered by the distracting excesses of his 90s electronica stylings.
Critics and material I don't need. I haven't changed my act in 53 years.
One of the Bond series' strengths compared to Mission Impossible is Craig and his co-stars great acting ability. MI can show Tom Cruise's face during spectacular action scenes, but the Bond films can show emotionally complex drama while MI often can feels empty and without strong emotional connestions to the characters doing the stunts.
My misgivings about CR - which is a very good Bond film - are not to do with its principals' performances but with its lumpen structure: we have two extended action sequences, and a detour via TB territory (Nassau), before getting into the adaptation of 'Casino Royale' proper. The plot is coherent but the structure is odd. Also, I think some of the general audience may have been disoriented by the 'early' death of Le Chiffre, the main villain, since this comes well before the film is over with: faithful to the book, certainly; but not faithful to the established (cosy) formula of Bond films.
I don't think that's a problem because by the audience is genuinely interested in the story being about Bond and his relationship with Vesper- we want to know what happens next with them. Seeing Bond happy with a woman and actually walking around giggling arm-in-arm is a pretty groundbreaking moment- we've never seen him in a real loving relationship before (sure there's Tracy, but by the time he's fallen in love with her we barely see them together).
The lumpy structure really kicks in when they feel they have to have a big action climax and so we get the sinking building, but I found that really frustrating because I was far less interested in seeing Bond beat up another load of guys than I was to see where his relationship with Vesper was headed: that was the interesting climax, not action. I think that sinking building setpiece is a bit of a loss of confidence from the producers to trust in the film they were making.
Craig is a mid/mid-to-high ranking Bond, imho, and a skilled actor. MGW and Barbara Broccoli were certainly going out of their way to break the mould but, particularly when watching CR for the first time, I realised how much I missed a Bond with a 'likeable' personality.
I think he's certainly likeable and we enjoy seeing him do cool things and getting victories. But he's also fallible and we actually see him get it wrong several times, even wincing for him when he takes the wrong path. He's actually human in this and that can't be understated.
I loved that trailer for this that ended on him crashing the Aston Martin. That's a proper 'you've not seen Bond do this before' moment: a real cliffhanger to see the film. This Bond gets in real trouble.
The CR06 score has a LOT of cues- 25 on the OST CD, plus about 15 more from other sources (eg downloads)- compared to its predecessors. If I named them all with a comment or two during the movie it would be tedious ("No!" I hear you cry ) and leave me little time for anything else, so this time I'll only mention some of them.
The CR06 score has a LOT of cues- 25 on the OST CD, plus about 15 more from other sources (eg downloads)- compared to its predecessors. If I named them all with a comment or two during the movie it would be tedious ("No!" I hear you cry ) and leave me little time for anything else, so this time I'll only mention some of them.
Speaking of the OST, I had “Blunt Instrument” as my morning alarm for years—it was a fantastic way to wake up!
I genuinely don't know how anyone signed off on that shot. There's even a bucket on the floor!
Thunderbird 2East of Cardiff, Wales.Posts: 2,817MI6 Agent
She is wonderful in CR-06, but I thought she got a delicious part to play as the French Mistress
in St Trinians. Brilliant reboot that film. Pity about Frittons Gold.
This is Thunderbird 2, how can I be of assistance?
I've seen a couple of seasons of Banchee and I think she's great in it!
Season 1 is really good. Seasons 2 and 3 are awesome. Season 4 is a tad weak but still ends the story in a satisfying enough way.
edited to add: for those of you who have seen the Amazon Prime adaptation of THE BOYS, the actor who plays Homelander on that show is the lead on BANSHEE. He's awesome on both and, if I'm being honest with myself, he'd make a pretty decent Bond.
Antony Starr has some of the qualities we look for in a Bond actor, but he's already 45 years old. I also suspect the reason he usually has beard is the way he looks like he's trying to hide that he just took a large bite of the food. )
He looks young for his age, yes. But Bond26 won't be launched before 2024(at best). Bond actors start up with a three movie deal, so he won't bee finished playing Bond until 2030 at the earliest. He'll be 55 by then and who knows how he'll look then?
He looks young for his age, yes. But Bond26 won't be launched before 2024(at best). Bond actors start up with a three movie deal, so he won't be finished playing Bond until 2030 at the earliest. He'll be 55 by then and who knows how he'll look then?
I've never minded a Bond actor getting to 50 or so provided he started younger. Moore wasn't too old in TSWLM, for instance.
Yes, it's entireøy possible Antony Starr looks young enough in 2030, but is it a bet worth taking? And remember that's a best case scenario. At the pace they're making Bond movies now he's likely to be at least 60 when he makes Bond28. Do you remember how Roget Moore looked in AVTAK?
BANSHEE was one of the greatest TV series of all time. 4 seasons of raunchy sex and undiluted violence with a fabulous villain portrayed by Ulrich Thomson, who would be perfect for a Bond adversary.
The gorgeous Lili Simmons played his niece - surely a Bond girl in the future?
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
BANSHEE was one of the greatest TV series of all time. 4 seasons of raunchy sex and undiluted violence with a fabulous villain portrayed by Ulrich Thomson, who would be perfect for a Bond adversary.
The gorgeous Lili Simmons played his niece - surely a Bond girl in the future?
Banchee was very good, but isn'tthe lady in the third photo Scarlett Johanson?
Comments
Craig is a mid/mid-to-high ranking Bond, imho, and a skilled actor. MGW and Barbara Broccoli were certainly going out of their way to break the mould but, particularly when watching CR for the first time, I realised how much I missed a Bond with a 'likeable' personality. (Step forward Sir Roger!) On a positive note, I liked CR's instrumental music as a Barry-esque David Arnold score finally unencumbered by the distracting excesses of his 90s electronica stylings.
I don't think that's a problem because by the audience is genuinely interested in the story being about Bond and his relationship with Vesper- we want to know what happens next with them. Seeing Bond happy with a woman and actually walking around giggling arm-in-arm is a pretty groundbreaking moment- we've never seen him in a real loving relationship before (sure there's Tracy, but by the time he's fallen in love with her we barely see them together).
The lumpy structure really kicks in when they feel they have to have a big action climax and so we get the sinking building, but I found that really frustrating because I was far less interested in seeing Bond beat up another load of guys than I was to see where his relationship with Vesper was headed: that was the interesting climax, not action. I think that sinking building setpiece is a bit of a loss of confidence from the producers to trust in the film they were making.
I think he's certainly likeable and we enjoy seeing him do cool things and getting victories. But he's also fallible and we actually see him get it wrong several times, even wincing for him when he takes the wrong path. He's actually human in this and that can't be understated.
I loved that trailer for this that ended on him crashing the Aston Martin. That's a proper 'you've not seen Bond do this before' moment: a real cliffhanger to see the film. This Bond gets in real trouble.
Speaking of the OST, I had “Blunt Instrument” as my morning alarm for years—it was a fantastic way to wake up!
Take that, Eva Green!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
But we should take care and not forget Ivana Milicevic!
Come on Caterina, use the loo like a normal person, you're not an animal.
in St Trinians. Brilliant reboot that film. Pity about Frittons Gold.
Antony Starr has some of the qualities we look for in a Bond actor, but he's already 45 years old. I also suspect the reason he usually has beard is the way he looks like he's trying to hide that he just took a large bite of the food.
I've never minded a Bond actor getting to 50 or so provided he started younger. Moore wasn't too old in TSWLM, for instance.
Higgins, I've amended your opening post....
The gorgeous Lili Simmons played his niece - surely a Bond girl in the future?
I appreciate the decency how you have executed it and in general that you‘ve stayed away from any personal bias
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Banchee was very good, but isn'tthe lady in the third photo Scarlett Johanson?
It sure is :x
Completely unrelated to Casino Royale and Bond, but I'm sure no one's complaining