While I thought the decision of dumping Pierce Brosnan for Daniel Craig was really bad, I’m now curious on how Casino Royale turned out. Who’s planning to see it in a theater? Will Daniel be the next Connery or the next Dalton?

While I thought the decision of dumping Pierce Brosnan for Daniel Craig was really bad, I’m now curious on how Casino Royale turned out. Who’s planning to see it in a theater? Will Daniel be the next Connery or the next Dalton?

I'm going.

I liked Craig in "Layer Cake".

We'll see if he can pull the Bond franchise's agates out.

I have to, the bad guy is almost local :)

Definitely sneaking away to see it at some point this holiday season. There aren't too many bad Bonds, though some are far better than others, my favorites are still Dr No and Thunderball...

"Ejector seat? You must be joking!"

Definetly gonig to see it. And, yes, Craig was really good in Layer Cake.

Early word (during filming) had it that Craig fell far short... But most of those very same critics seem to be happily eating crow now that they've actually seen the film. Words like gritty, real, and authentic, seem to be in heavy usage. I'm really looking forward to it.

I will be there tonight. Probably my fav Bond book, so I can't wait to see how they handle the movie.

IIRC, "Casino Royale" was one of the original Pink Panthers, early '60s or so. Wasn't David Niven in it, along w/Sellers?

Man this looks good to me. I love the early Bond movies, but they lost me along the way. This look like, as it's billed to be, a return to form. Long overdue in my opinion.

Saw it tonight. Excellent movie. There was double crossing, espionage, a pretty well developed love story, and of course action. It had a lot more content than the blow-'em-up action of the last few Bond flicks with Brosnan.

Like mentioned above, Bond got gritty.

I recommend it! :thmbsp: Oh yeah, it's long. About 2.5 hours, something I wasn't expecting.

Just saw it. Yep. it's good. I'd see it more than once, no problemo!
Also saw Babel last week because some idiot reviewer gave it 4 stars, ugh. Waste of money. Go see Casino Royale instead. And have a Royale w/cheese.

FWIW, they absolutely LOVE it over at IMDB.

It's set as basically the first Bond adventure, where he's raw and unrefined and is earning his double 0 rank. Much more to do with character and story, and less with gadgetry, scenery, and cute double entendres

Yep, I gotta go.

I happened to be in London during (though sadly, not at) the premiere. Even the Queen attended!

The reviews in the UK papers that I read were uniformly positive. Can't wait to see it.

For those of you who have seen it: Is it appropriate for an 8 year old? (I can't take my older two to it and leave the little guy at home...)

IIRC, "Casino Royale" was one of the original Pink Panthers, early '60s or so. Wasn't David Niven in it, along w/Sellers?

There was a botched Woody Allen version you may be thinking of. :thumbsdn:

Well I got to see the movie last night. A very entertaining film. While I liked Craig in Layer Cake I wasn't sure how he would handle a bond film. The movie is a fresh new direction for the Bond franchise. Here is a Bond film where Bond makes lots of mistakes but with determination overcomes inexperience. The only downside to all of this is what happens next. Goldeneye was a fresh start as well.

There was a botched Woody Allen version you may be thinking of. :thumbsdn:

Wrong, it was not a Woody Allen film although he had a guest part in it, as Jimmy Bond, James Bond's illegitimate son.
Charles K. Feldman's Casino Royale , 1967
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061452/
It's pretty funny, but the critics panned it. Wacky film with everyone in Hollywood in it.
I guess I will have to see the new one, heck I've seen all the others...

Craig knocked a tooth or two out filming this.

I say he's earned his lumps, from the early critics' panning of him, and this incident where the stunt scene he got injured in sent him off to the dentist...

Just saw the movie...I quite enjoyed it...great action and entertaining, though a bit long--nice plot twists. I didn't like the "song", but the opening credits were VERY well done. I'd say that Daniel Craig gets my vote!

Early on there were a couple of rather odd scene freezes where Mr. Craig had a rather odd stare on his face.

Oh...and I just ordered my Aston Martin DBS :D

My wife and I saw it on Friday. We both enjoyed it. One of the better Bond films in a while. recommended.

Ditto - my wife and I saw it Friday as well. My wife loved Pierce but know Craig is her favorite Bond!

Great way to get back to basics with Bond movies. Can't wait fro the next one.

...an edit to my earlier post:

There is a torture scene with Bond in this movie that is rather gratuitous (like the Bruce Willis "thing" in Pulp Fiction). Frankly, I could have done without it, but I understand why it's there.

Also, the PG-13 rating is really a farce. This is an R rated movie that skirted the issue and somehow got rated PG-13 to keep it in the general population. Don't get me wrong and I'm NOT a prude, but if there are going to be violent scenes in movies, then it should be rated accordingly or the questionable stuff should end up on the cutting room floor.

But still, my earlier post stands...I enjoyed the movie!

I cringed at that torture scene. Ouch!

IIRC, "Casino Royale" was one of the original Pink Panthers, early '60s or so. Wasn't David Niven in it, along w/Sellers?

Nope - a made for British TV movie. David Niven played Sir James Bond, Peter Sellers was another James Bond, and Woody Allen was in it too.

Dave

Yes, definately refreshing after die another day. I didn't care for die another day at all. I was surprised with daniel craig. I thought he was very good. I'm only 20, but i like the less action, more story/character involved, older type bond movies. R? I don't know. Action, yes. I don't know what would have made it R. Maybe borderline. Awesome and refreshing bond none the less. Can't wait for the dvd.

I finally saw Casino Royal - sorry I think he definitely is not James Bond and the movie was not that good - in my my opion and my wife's. I didn't like the torture angle to the movie and besides there was not enough of the car in it!! COME ON!!

Dave

Yeah, I think every guy in the cinema crossed his legs when the torture scene was on!!

I can't believe there wasn't an 'extended' car chase scene in this film and they still managed to completely wreck the Aston in such a short time.

Bond is definately more gritty in this film, I was actually amazed that he was covered in his own blood for a moderate part of the film.

Rumour has it that with his own 'real life' sexuality he wants to introduce a same gender kiss in the next film!

I saw the film the night it opened,and I thought it was really good.There is an action scene at the begining with no car chases,etc,and it was amazing.
Craig is my favorite bond since Connery.
Jimmy

loved the movie... good to see bond get back to the basics... plus the women, eva green, etc... make it worthwhile..

Rumour has it that with his own 'real life' sexuality he wants to introduce a same gender kiss in the next film!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

That would be so wrong!:thumbsdn: :thumbsdn: :thumbsdn:

James Bond is the ultimate heterosexual.

I just saw it. The best Bond movie in 30 years.

I saw it in a small theater and noticed most of the audience was 40-70+. I sat next to an older woman in her 70s. She was having a great ol time. Although in some of the more violent scences she was covering her eyes.

I just saw it. The best Bond movie in 30 years.


Amen Brother!! :thmbsp: :thmbsp: :thmbsp:

Just got back from seeing it at the $1.50 matinee and can't say enough good about it. My only concern is how do they top it w/o falling victim to the excesses the series just seemed to overcome???

Craig was excellent and gets right up there w/ Connery

Go see it!!!!!

Had to dig this thread up. Bought Casino Royale & finally got around to watching it again last night. It was as much fun as the first time I saw it.

During the scene where Bond is at the Miami International Airport, he follows a terrorist through security. Very briefly you see another man being wanded...

It is Sir Richard Branson!

:lmao:

I thought Craig was good as was the way the Bond character was written. The picture itself is only good for one viewing though IMO&E; first viewing was enjoyable but second viewing induced drowsiness.

I thought Craig was good as was the way the Bond character was written. The picture itself is only good for one viewing though IMO&E; first viewing was enjoyable but second viewing induced drowsiness.

I enjoyed it the second time around & will again I am sure. The opening chase sequence was fantastic. I had pretty much given up on Bond after "Diamonds are Forever" (dreadful). Oh yeah, there were some enjoyable ones along the way for sure but this iteration came very close to "From Russia with Love" for me. I didn't buy Craig at all in the role when I read that he got the part. After Casino Royale however, he owns it and picks up the mantle from Connery quite satisfactorily IMHO.

Action sequences were really wild. Romance scenes were indifferent. The rest of it, he was competent to good.

As for the movie itself, I give it 3 to 3 1/2 stars. It was well made and his co-stars were very good. The scene of Bond being tortured is worth the money alone.