Per
my own personal tradition, Janet and I went to see Casino
Royale earlier today at the Star Theatre in
Southfield, Michigan. There are enough other reviews out there that I
don't feel the need to cobble something together here just to say I did
it, or to be quick with comments more self-serving than helpful.
What I will say by way of putting my "grade" here in
perspective is that I tend to be hard on films as a critic. On top of
that, when it comes to
the James Bond 007 franchise, I'm even more so.
This is one of my few indulgences and diversions, and I feel personally
protective of the trust I place in all who bring the next film to me,
as someone to be counted among its greatest fans.
It took a lot for me to get my arms around the idea of a
"reboot" here. I liked Pierce Brosnan very much as James Bond; I suppose
you might even consider me an advocate of Mr. Bronsnan's, from his days as Remington
Steele. (I actually called United Artists at one point in the hiatus following
Licence to Kill, and, upon reaching Ms. Barbara Broccoli, told
her as much.) Tomorrow Never Dies and The World Is Not Enough
were A+ films for me as well, if that serves further perspective here. I
could forgive the hiccup that came after, because "the formula"
worked as far as I was concerned.
Against all that− I went today
for my introduction to Daniel Craig as James Bond 007.
I have no concerns about the population at
large liking Casino Royale; it's fantastic as an action /
adventure film. A little bit thriller and romantic genre, too.
More importantly, though, as a Bond
fan, I was utterly satisfied by the familiar 007 film touchstones. We weathered
without Q in Live and Let Die, and we do so here. But I felt there were
"gadgets" enough. The humor was good, and nicely adapted to what I'm
guessing is Mr. Craig's strong suit: Watch his eyes for the one-liners
that don't need further to be said. He's not Dean Martin "cool" in the
way that Messrs. Connery, Moore, and Brosnan certainly were. But after
seeing Mr. Craig in his own fashion of tailored tuxedo (which he seemed to
go through like Kleenex at one point, after he kept mussing them up), I've got
to say that his predecessors might equally each have had his own difficulty even
in their own heydays against that which is Casino Royale.
In the end, Casino Royale
provides a great
exposition through which Daniel Craig completely earns the right to
introduce himself as "Bond, James Bond."
Beyond that, he more than sold me on an Omega
Planet Ocean with Casino Royale. (Yes, indeed, I did wear
my Seamaster 2531.80.00 to the showing today.)
Congratulations to all who brought
this film to life!
"Casino Royale" on JamesBond.com website
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