IMDB review of CR--SPOILER ALERT!

bluemanblueman PDXPosts: 1,667MI6 Agent
This is getting around today, thought I'd post it here, enjoy:


I got to this past weekend and I'm sharing my thoughts with you folks. It was a test screening for "alcazar". In reality it was, as we were told the final cut of Casino Royale! It really is something else. I guess I am a Bond fan. I have seen all the 20 films and I love a good action aventure film and the Bond films are classic although aside from Goldeneye the last few film have been GODAWFUL! It was just the same old same old formula story. I have been reading alot of the posts on this forum and just had to laugh! I hate to say this but ALOT of people are going to look extreamly stupid come Novenber.


This really is a very different Bond film. At times it was hard to even think that Casino Royale is even remotly related or connected to the past films. It is just so radically different from say something like the world is not enough of Die another day. I think the best anlogy would be comparing the last 4 Bond films to the first 4 Batman films. They started out good Batman/Goldeneye but slowly degenerated into formulamatic overly campy mediocer crap Batman and Robin/Die another day. I pratically almost walked out of the cinema when I saw Brosnan's "toy car on a string" go over the side of that plastic ice cliff in Die anothe day. All saying about how this is more realistic back to the basics reboot a-la Batman Begins is true.

Casino Royale will be to Die another day as what Batman Begins is to batman and Robin. I feel so lucky that being a fan of both Batman and Bond noe both franchises are getting a much needed make-over. Now about Craig as Bond. He ain't Connery, he isn't Moore, Dalton or Brosnan. He's Craig. I wouldn't call that a bad thing though. He is definatly cool infact cooler than Brosnan I dare say. He has that badass, ruthless edge to him. He says and does things I can't see Borosnan or someone like Moore or even Dalton doing. That alone for me sets him apart. While he ain't Connery, face it no one is Connery, he does a fine job IMO. He really does do some nasty things like one villain who gets shot in his neck. I can't believe this is the final cut becuase that shot was rather graphic and there are somemore other grisly deaths in a sinking building at the climax.


When I was watching this film it seemed more than just a Bond film with some superhero character out to save the world, kill the villain and get the girl. It is almost like your not watching a normal Bond film. This one doesn't seem to let the formula get in the way of the story. Alot of things done differently. The film doesn't have the normal opening gunbarrel and the usual sequence at the start is in BLACK AND WHITE! They still got the usual titles with the dancing girls. this one has a Card motif with red almost blood look to it on top of Black and white photos of Craig and his handiwork. The theme is great also. Really rockin, makes me think of Live and let Die or A View to a Kill. I also like how they incorated it into the theme. The music isn't even the usual Bond theme. I think it's only once I heard it and that was at end where it reminded me of the how it appeared in the world is not enough and how it played over the closing credits. It's way more blaring this time and that along with the final line had the whole audenice giving standing ovation! Myself included!


The main film is interesting. It's basically Bond's first misssion and he's sent to madgascar I believe, where he has to track down and kill this terrorist who leads him on an eloborate chase through the jungles, a beachside construction site where some real intesne action takes place, and finally an embassy. The guy who plays the terrorist is damn good. He's jumping around the construction site like a monkey and leaping off cranes and jumping onto moving cars in traffic all the while Bond has to MacGuyver it to keep up. Really cool finish to that sequence and the trailer don't even reveal a tenth of the action! And guess what? there really is no cgi! At least none I could see. The story then goes to the Bahamas where Bond is traking down the guy who hired the Trerrorist. He gets the information by breaking into M's flat and taking her security info there's a nice little exchange between the two that really shows what this new Bond is all about. Gone is the cold war spy. This Bond is clearly post 9/11. In the bahamas Bond finds out that this arms dealer named Demitrios is behind things and Bond beats him at poker and wins the guys Aston Martin and beds his wife to find out what he's up to. This sequence really does feel like something you would see in the lolder Connery films. We see Bond doing some real spy and dective work as he tries to find out what's going on. The atmosphear and feel in the bahamas really is classic almost a return to the classic Bond films with that sexy, exotic, jet set vibe yet still old school in execution.


Then we got the best action sequence in any Bond film I have seen and no gadgets at all. It involves Bond trying to stop a suicide Bomber from blowing this new Jumbo jet with a tanker truck. The sequence reminds of the batmobile chase in Batman Begins. you got all these police cars trying to stop this unstoppale vehicle that goes crashing through cop cars, SUV's, a row of jetlines, buses, and whatever else crosses his path leaving an explosive trail of destruction. And it had me at the edge of my seat! Really suspenseful and real looking sequence. I'm glad they didn't spoile it in the trailer but trust me it will blow you away! And that's the first hour or so of the movie. The action really scales back for the second half. Apparently the main Villain Le Chiff was banking on that new aircraft, The Boeing 747-XXX on being blown up and he now finds himself out of $100 million. He intends to win it back at a poker game in Montegro. Guess who they send to face him! Bond mets up with Vesper Lind who is working for the treasury. She gives Bond the money to face Le Chiff. The classic Bond feel continues on and the casino is unreal. It has that classy feel and craig looks smashing in the tux. His delivery is cool. He always sounds the same but he is consistant and he has that cool badass vibe about him. He'll talk *beep* to you and never loese he cool. The main poker game is intense but it goes on too long for my liking but they got a few sequence in there to take a few breathers but the poker seems to go on for 45 minitues! I won't spoil the rest, way too many twists to keep track of and I don't to reveal anything too big, but while there is alot of action it's still all about the story. This time you won't know hats going to happen because like I said before this movie doesn't rely on the formula that much yet it still delivers what you want see.

Craig is compelling in the role. He is not the same Bond as Brosnan, Moore, Connery etc. He is not. It's almost like an entirly new character but he is still cool and suave but in a new way and above all this Bond really is dangerous. I tried watching Tommorow Never Dies and The world is not enough but I just can't get into it anymore. Casino Royale and Craig has totally killed my intrest in thoes films. It's like a whole new stadard for Bond. Be careful when you see this movie because it may totally ruin the way you look at the other films. Casino Royale is on a higher level and you just won't to watch the old films again. this is my opinion but my friend who saw it with me felt the same way, if you don't wind up totally rooting and behind Craig as Bond at the end, then maybe you are better off watching Die Another Day or Moonraker. Pitty really. Well this isn't a kids movie that's for sure! lol
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Comments

  • NightshooterNightshooter In bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
    How come every review of CR is written by someone with an IQ of about 3?
  • bluemanblueman PDXPosts: 1,667MI6 Agent
    How come every review of CR is written by someone with an IQ of about 3?

    LMAO. EON knows their market. :D
  • NightshooterNightshooter In bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
    You probably shouldn't have posted this, Blue, people aren't gonna be happy with the Brosnan bashing. Heck, I'm not happy with this guy's Brosnan bashing.
  • bluemanblueman PDXPosts: 1,667MI6 Agent
    It's a review. We should ignore it?
  • NightshooterNightshooter In bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
    Hey, I'm just warning you of the backlash, as it could be directed towards you. But you're used to that by now, I suppose. :p
  • bluemanblueman PDXPosts: 1,667MI6 Agent
    Yeah, whatever. I haven't seen the darn thing yet but this guy apparently has. And he liked it. Good news, I thought.
  • NightshooterNightshooter In bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
    I'm only joking with you, Blue.
  • bluemanblueman PDXPosts: 1,667MI6 Agent
    edited October 2006
    I know, I know. And I imagine this dude's comments won't sit well with some. But the Brosnan bashing in context of hyping/reviewing CR has been happening, and I imagine it'll happen some more. Not sure what the answer here is, but heck Moore got quite a bit of grief when Dalton took over, Connery was old and fat in DAF, etc. etc. It's the biz, I guess.

    But hey, how 'bout that new guy, Craig?
  • superadosuperado Regent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,651MI6 Agent
    blueman wrote:
    It's a review. We should ignore it?

    Yes, but you posted it. Editorial intent. Nothing wrong with that, but I wonder if you'd readily post a review going on how ugly Craig is?
    "...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
  • bluemanblueman PDXPosts: 1,667MI6 Agent
    edited October 2006
    Editorial intent??? It's a movie review, a Bond movie, the new one coming out. This is a Bond forum, or so I thought. Incredible.

    (FYI, I read about 10% of it as I'm trying to stay spoiler-free, don't know how I could even figure any "editorial intent" in there. It's the second known review of CR, I thought folks might be interested...guess not.)
  • MBE_MBE_ USAPosts: 266MI6 Agent
    benskelly wrote:
    If other reviews show up on AICN then we'll know the screening really happened.

    According to Clint Morris (or rather Gossip Monkey) at Moviehole the screening did happen in London. He posted about it a couple of weeks ago, though he didn't see it himself and the reactions he posts about are alleged insider reactions.

    MBE
  • glidroseglidrose Posts: 138MI6 Agent
    edited October 2006
    Why are people going to get all hostile and defensive over a positive review of CR, even if it does bash Brozza??

    Honestly folks! :o

    My initial reaction to the article is that CR sounds exactly what I am hoping the film will be like, and it's all very encouraging. That's how everyone else should take it too, instead of looking for holes in the review, the way he writes, the way he knocks Brozza, etc.

    Who cares if he knocks a previous actor!! Brozza has gone, his days are behind us, we are now in a new era - GET OVER IT!! Stop jumping for the gun every time someone does criticize the previous few films, because here is some news for you. Brozza wasn't all that in the first place, and with the exception of GE, neither were his movies. I think even Brozza fans will agree with me that no one wanted to see CR outdoing DAD for an even more OTT trashy spectacle.

    Everyone's main focus should be CR itself, and if it is good enough, yet people are choosing to ignore that in a review, and can only comment on the fact that Brozza has been bashed again. It's pathetic!!

    This review confirms my hopes and beliefs that we are in for one helluva great film (and dare I say it, a great Bond too!!)
  • Moonraker 5Moonraker 5 Ayrshire, ScotlandPosts: 1,821MI6 Agent
    superado wrote:
    Yes, but you posted it. Editorial intent.
    Please don't be ridiculous. There is no spin, comment or opinion on this review from blue. It's a relevant and worthwhile post taken from a third source and therefore the poster will not be held liable for what it says. Whether blue agrees or disagrees with it (indeed, he says he hasn't read it fully) is not only his entitlement, but is beside the point here - there'll be no user bashing because the content of this review. OK?
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  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    edited October 2006
    Calm old non-reactionary AJB as per usual I see. I expect because I dared to post the cool new poster images I was being unfavourably positive towards the new Bond movie; obviously I should have posted some old Ali Kerim Bay Craig/Charlie Brown insulting images as well for balance. Don't know what I was thinking of, posting news items and favourable comments towards the new Bond movie on a Bond fan forum....

    For one, I can't even see any Brosnan-bashing: he didn't like the last few films- he doesn't say it was Brosnan that was the problem; says Craig might even be cooler than Brosnan- which to me infers he thought Brosnan was cool; and says Craig does things the other Bonds wouldn't. And I can't see any other mentions of Brosnan. Perhaps I've missed something.

    Everybody needs to be prepared for what happens when someone gets replaced; they get compared to the new guy. It happens. I remember Brosnan being favourably compared to Dalton when GoldenEye was released; indeed many people still call him one of, if not the, best Bond. Does that mean they're calling all the other ones rubbish? Of course not. I just don't understand the knee jerk reactions whenever someone dares to mention the possibility that Brosnan wasn't perfect. For heaven's sake calm down.

    There are going to be many reviews, most professional, which will likely say how Craig is a breath of fresh air after Brosnan, 'Pierce who?' etc. It's just how these things work. Previews in the Sunday Times this week and on the BBC Film website are calling the Bond series 'tired' and in need of reinvigoration etc. so you can see where this is all going. It doesn't exist in a vacuum, they will compare it to previous films and, shock horror; they might even mention Brosnan and which elements of his performance Craig may or may not improve upon. If that kind of thing upsets you then I suggest you steel yourself.
  • glidroseglidrose Posts: 138MI6 Agent
    benskelly wrote:
    glidrose wrote:
    Why are people going to get all hostile and defensive over a positive review of CR, even if it does bash Brozza??

    Honestly folks! :o

    My initial reaction to the article is that CR sounds exactly what I am hoping the film will be like, and it's all very encouraging. That's how everyone else should take it too, instead of looking for holes in the review, the way he writes, the way he knocks Brozza, etc.

    Who cares if he knocks a previous actor!! Brozza has gone, his days are behind us, we are now in a new era - GET OVER IT!! Stop jumping for the gun every time someone does criticize the previous few films, because here is some news for you. Brozza wasn't all that in the first place, and with the exception of GE, neither were his movies. I think even Brozza fans will agree with me that no one wanted to see CR outdoing DAD for an even more OTT trashy spectacle.

    Everyone's main focus should be CR itself, and if it is good enough, yet people are choosing to ignore that in a review, and can only comment on the fact that Brozza has been bashed again. It's pathetic!!

    This review confirms my hopes and beliefs that we are in for one helluva great film (and dare I say it, a great Bond too!!)

    Oh shut up! Who are you to tell us how to react? Hate to break it to you, but we're all allowed to have our own opinions. You didn't like "Brozza" and his films, fine - who cares?? I really liked TWINE and I thought your precious GE was a bore. Such is life. I don't have to agree with your arse. And if the reviewer said anything negative about Craig, you'd be going on a rant about how he must just be a Craig-hater. You would be the first one to question that reviewer's taste.

    Anyway, who's more hostile and defensive than you??? Pot I'd like you to meet kettle.

    I'm so glad you told us where our main focus should be. 8-) Hey, maybe the mods should close down all the non-CR forums so they don't distract us from concentrating on CR.

    I said several things - some positive, some negative. It's what thinking people do. And yes, the reviewer sounded like a ten year-old. But then, if you think he's "all that", I'm sorry I have a certain standard for literacy. I tell you what, you tell me what it's okay for me to comment on, so I know the guidelines.

    Wanna' see an overreaction? Read your own post.

    Don't tell me to shut up! Who the hell do you think you are?

    It would be interesting to read your comments had this review slagged off CR and Craig instead. Would you have still focused on the way the guy writes like a 10 year old, me wonders....

    And there ain't nothing precious about GE. I hated all Brozza's films, but I was just trying to be kind to the least awful film he made.

    I'll say it again in case you didn't hear me the first time. Brozza's reign is over. GET OVER IT!!

    If you accept that, then perhaps you will move on and start to look for the positives rather than the negatives. There must be one big black cloud hanging over your head, that's all I'll say.
  • Moonraker 5Moonraker 5 Ayrshire, ScotlandPosts: 1,821MI6 Agent
    edited October 2006
    Unbelievable. Really. Sadly I foresaw it getting to this stage all too quickly, like watching a car crash in slow motion. I've ran out of ways to tell people to keep calm, not to get upset over someone's opinion of whether they liked an actor or not, so I'll keep it simple.

    The personal attacks, hot headedness and aggression stops HERE. No further.

    blue, thanks for the article. Hopefully it'll receive all of the attention from now on.
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  • positivelyshockingpositivelyshocking Posts: 53MI6 Agent
    Agree with last comment, personal attacks should not be posted.

    The comment about the screenings taking place in London is correct. They took place a few weeks ago and general reaction was positive from the test audience.

    My source suggested that the cut at that time was a little long and would in all likelihood be cut down. His reaction to the film was that it was "hard" !

    I skim read the AICN review for the same reasons as Blue. Thanks for posting it however, Blue.

    So far so good I think?
  • AlexAlex The Eastern SeaboardPosts: 2,694MI6 Agent
    My dog ate my 47 page dissertation on why people should learn to behave; and I don't feel like re-writing for more deaf ears.

    What another Moderator has stated - those instructions need to be followed.
  • jetsetwillyjetsetwilly Liverpool, UKPosts: 1,048MI6 Agent
    I'll second Moonie's usual good sense. If you want to have a fight and swap personal insults, then IM one another and leave the actual on-topic discussion for the rest of us.

    And to return to topic, thank you Blueman for posting the review, though once again I couldn't resist reading it and ruining the film for myself X-( I am starting to wonder if the film is going to feel "top heavy", action wise. The sequences we've been hearing about have all been in the first half. I'm concerned that audiences will feel let down by a card game as the tense "climax". I know there's more to come, but can it compete with blowing up an airport?
    Founder of the Wint & Kidd Appreciation Society.

    @merseytart
  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    And to return to topic, thank you Blueman for posting the review, though once again I couldn't resist reading it and ruining the film for myself X-( I am starting to wonder if the film is going to feel "top heavy", action wise. The sequences we've been hearing about have all been in the first half. I'm concerned that audiences will feel let down by a card game as the tense "climax". I know there's more to come, but can it compete with blowing up an airport?

    It's pretty standard to have a big end of third act action scene in the recent Bonds, though isn't it?
  • TonyDPTonyDP Inside the MonolithPosts: 4,279MI6 Agent
    edited October 2006
    People don't like it when stuff they cherish gets bashed; and unfortunately it's apparently become impossible these days to praise something without denigrating something else as justification.

    That review, and the subsequent reaction to it, once again reinforces my belief that CR is a Bond movie for people who don't like Bond movies (at least none that have been made in the past 25 or 30 years).

    As for the review itself and others like it on AICN, I wouldn't read too much into them either way (pro or con). These are the same people who gave Snakes on a Plane such glowing, stellar writeups and said it was the can't miss hit of the summer, that it to was a different kind of action movie, and that Samuel L. Jackson was a "badass" lead as well. But for all their praise, it only made $15 million. They also damned X-Men 3 and called for Brett Rattner's head on a platter; $400 million later we again see how little their opinions meant. Their condemnations of the Star Wars prequels are the stuff of legend and had absolutely zero impact on the box office or subsequent home video releases. The IMDB and AICN fanboys represent an infinitesmal share of the audience and their tastes (and grammar) often defy logic (and actual public opinion). Their ramblings do little more than confirm the tone and direction of the film.

    Let's face it, EON's creative decisions have split Bond's fanbase right down the middle and there ain't no way that's going to be reconciled anytime soon. Maybe CR will bring in new fans, maybe it won't. Just another month to go. Then maybe all the bickering will be over, one way or the other.
  • Moonraker 5Moonraker 5 Ayrshire, ScotlandPosts: 1,821MI6 Agent
    I'm concerned that audiences will feel let down by a card game as the tense "climax". I know there's more to come, but can it compete with blowing up an airport?
    I think so, yes. You've seen snippets of the end scene action in the trailer; it's pretty much gripping, edge of the seat stuff.
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  • emtiememtiem SurreyPosts: 5,686MI6 Agent
    TonyDP wrote:
    People don't like it when stuff they cherish gets bashed; and unfortunately it's apparently become impossible these days to praise something without denigrating something else as justification.

    But... where's the denigration? This is simply someone who didn't like the past few Bond movies; I'm sure he said that at the time. Why be upset just because someone else doesn't like the movies you liked? I liked them too, but if someone didn't like them it doesn't worry me.
    And it's not as if he's even bashing Brosnan- he singles Brosnan out as the coolest of the Bonds so far.

    Whenever a new model comes out it is compared to the old model; how could it not be? Are you expecting all reviewers to deny the fact that there were Bond movies before this one?
    The producers have tried to address issues they have with their own films- the reviewers will notice that as this film has made some changes.
  • TonyDPTonyDP Inside the MonolithPosts: 4,279MI6 Agent
    edited October 2006
    Ok, point taken. Let me rephrase my statement: People don't like it when they perceive that stuff they cherish gets bashed. Also, that comment was not only directed at the initial review but also at some of the subsequent posts.

    Personally, I wasn't insulted by anything he said; as I posted above, I take these IMDB and AICN reviews with big grain of salt and know better than to take the ramblings of fanboys too personally or seriously. Although I do think comparing DAD to Batman & Robin is going a bit too far. Also, some people who enjoyed TND, TWINE and DAD might take offense to the reviewer's assetion that "the last few film (sic) have been GODAWFUL".
  • Moonraker 5Moonraker 5 Ayrshire, ScotlandPosts: 1,821MI6 Agent
    Interesting to note that this guy likes how they incorporated the theme into the score. Or I think that's what he's saying anyway, his grammar is rather poor so I could be wrong. He also actually likes the theme tune itself, so a different opinion to the other reviewer.
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  • jetsetwillyjetsetwilly Liverpool, UKPosts: 1,048MI6 Agent
    TonyDP wrote:
    Also, some people who enjoyed TND, TWINE and DAD might take offense to the reviewer's assetion that "the last few film (sic) have been GODAWFUL".

    As some people did, no doubt, when GE's supporters laid into the "failures" of the Dalton films that preceded it; when TLD's fans applauded the return to a serious Bond after the slapstick and sloppy AVTAK that came before it; when FYEO's boosters talked about MR like it was a gum disease; when TSWLM's groupies denigrated the "disappointing" TMWTGG; when DAF's cheerleaders laid into Lazenby's film as though it were a plague; or when OHMSS's acolytes bemoaned the sci-fi excesses of its predecessor.

    The Bond series is a shifting beast, as the producers have always looked at what succeeded and failed in the previous film and reused it in the follow up.
    Founder of the Wint & Kidd Appreciation Society.

    @merseytart
  • Napoleon PluralNapoleon Plural LondonPosts: 10,239MI6 Agent
    Unlike you, jetset, I managed to avoid the plot spoilers - until I came across your quoting chunks of it! :v :p
    "This is where we leave you Mr Bond."

    Roger Moore 1927-2017
  • bluemanblueman PDXPosts: 1,667MI6 Agent
    Tony, I think there may be a few Bond fans out there who are able to assess that CR is a "different" type of Bond film from what they're used to, yet still like and accept it as a Bond film (ala OHMSS). Also, I don't think the general public will be too concerned about the differences as the only thing they cherish is a good time--if CR delivers that, in whatever shape or form, those darn dirty unwashed will be grinning. It's their nature.

    And thanks for the backup, M5 and others, I figured on some flack because of the Brosnan comments (I did see those when I skimmed the piece, and no I didn't post this to bait anybody), but as someone pointed out ALL Bond actors get a bit dirty when a new guy takes over, just what happens. Really can't see a studio selling their shiny new Bond film as, well, it's not so much really, just a bit of nothing with this really inappropriate and old-looking and ugly guy in the lead role...gosh, what were we thinking? I mean it's built-in: as not every Bond film will be to every fan's (much less Joe average movie-goer's) liking, making a favorable comparison to the last one is inevitable.

    I really don't feel one way or the other about Brosnan, Craig, Dalton, etc. comments at this point, it's all water off the proverbial duck's back. The film will release very soon (whoopie!), and that will be that. All the prognosticating will be over with (except about Bond 22 of course ;)) and the public, bless them, will have spoken. Right now we're getting the first reviews, written by 12 year olds seemingly, sure, but hey they seemed to like it, and that's encouraging--for the series if not for Craig/the reboot.

    And lastly, sorry I got snippy last night Nightshooter, you were so right. M5's train wreck indeed. Can't help but wish that the focus could be on whether this new Bond film is any good or not--comparisons WILL be a part of that analysis, but not the be-all end-all, surely. If all the buzz we were getting at this point was middling to negative, then that might be the case for Craig/CR--but it's not, all buzz so far is pretty darn up there. As far as fans go, comparisons will be key, sure, and threads like these will happen (hopefully a little less wrecky). But as far as box office goes, it seems more and more like the comparisons will be footnotes.
  • NightshooterNightshooter In bed with SolitairePosts: 2,917MI6 Agent
    Don't worry about it, Blue, I wish I had been wrong.
  • jetsetwillyjetsetwilly Liverpool, UKPosts: 1,048MI6 Agent
    Unlike you, jetset, I managed to avoid the plot spoilers - until I came across your quoting chunks of it! :v :p

    I was just quoting the stuff that was in the first post on the thread...
    Founder of the Wint & Kidd Appreciation Society.

    @merseytart
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