Casino Royale, Daniel Craig: YES!!!

[verushka70]

I admit I am not exactly objective about Daniel Craig. I've drooled over him countless times since I first got the Layer Cake DVD.

And I was not unhappy with other actors who were suggested. Most of the major actors who were suggested before the role went to Daniel Craig (Clive Owen, Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman) were all very good choices, and I think all of them would have proved quite capable in terms of acting chops, action-hero charisma, and edginess. And, why, yes: I have drooled over all of those men as well. I think I watched too much Masterpiece Theatre on PBS as a kid and prepubescent: I have a terrible weakness for British (or Australian) accents coming from the mouths of tall, dark, and tortured handsome men who can actually act. I personally blame Jeremy Irons all those years ago in Brideshead Revisited...

It's not like I had anything against Pierce Brosnan -- no sirree. Him and his chest hair: lovely. Just so easy on the eyes! I liked him in all the Bond flicks I saw, and I liked him in many other things as well (Laws of Attraction, Taylor of Panama, the Matador, among others), as well as WAY, way back in Remington Steele. (But Stephanie Zimbalist got on my nerves.)

But. Daniel. Craig. Is. Fantastic. As. Bond. And I knew he would be.

Attention: SPOILERS AHEAD!!

And, except for going on a little too long, I think this is the best Bond film in years. Just go see it! You'll be glad you did. It's got violence, drama, sexy romance, and the usual intrigue, danger, secrets, double-crosses, betrayals, and gun fights you'd expect in any spy flick. There are aspects of it that are fairly noir, as well. The plot has been well-adapted, from the original novel's Cold-War atmosphere, to present-day fears.

Plus it's got great action sequences, too. Some of them are a little too cliche, but I think that's to get asses in seats across the world. Other chase sequences are very exciting and unique. Other parts of Casino Royale -- dialogue and characterizations -- cleverly skewer the Bond mythos of the last 20 years. And how can you not love a movie that somehow gets the traveling Bodyworlds exhibit into it?

The opening credits are a graphical delight: a blend of then (Spirograph, 60s-nostalgia), now (target sights), and future (fractals). They're also interestingly void of scantily clad or naked women, yet chock full of visual inventiveness, thematically relevant and highly entertaining eye candy -- more than I can recall in many, many years. I've always loved the visuals of the opening credits of Bond films, ever since I can remember, but these are quite well done and unique. In a strange way, they almost look dated, which is weird... because, then, does that mean that they won't look dated when the film itself is looking dated (in terms of the technology)?

Judi Dench is looking good. I love the fact that British actors/actresses aren't Botoxed, lasered and perfect. Their teeth aren't straight. They have wrinkles. They're unique. They are themselves; they're not all trying to emulate a trendy "look." In other words, they're real looking! They're human beings, with all the strengths and weaknesses we'd expect, writ upon their imperfect features.

There's even a visual meta-theme to Casino Royale, if you will, involving construction and destruction/demolition, tying the beginning and end of the movie together. Construction & destruction of previous incarnations of Bond, or of the campiness that crept into full-blown silliness in many Bond movies of the last 10-15 years? I don't know. They're calling this Casino Royale a reboot... but it's more than that. I was VERY satisfied that I got more than my money's worth

And then there is the torture scene. It's pretty rough. But it is also pretty faithful to the scene as Ian Fleming wrote it in the novel. (Which I just finished like a week ago or so, in between all this nursing school studying and reading). I mean...

Daniel Craig. Naked. Sweaty. Tied to a chair. About to be tortured. OMFG. Be still my throbbing...

(please excuse me while I ...squeeeee...!)

I'll just say three words to sum up the romance in Casino Royale. Well, four:

Gen. Sparks. Hurt/Comfort.

For some reason, I got a very Fraser/Victoria feeling about the Bond romance in Casino Royale. ETA: (with another SPOILER) Oh, duh, I realize why now. The fingers. And, well, betrayal.

And I think I know why Daniel Craig turns my crank so very much. You know who I could totally picture playing Bond the way Craig is in Casino Royale? Callum Keith Rennie. He would've been perfect at this. But, alas, I doubt he ever had a shot at it. Or maybe he did, and I just never knew he was considered.

Just go see Casino Royale. It's frakkin' fantastic. I'm gonna go see it again... after I finish my stupid 26 page nursing care plan that is due Tuesday.

Comments

[shayheyred.livejournal.com]

I adored him in Layer Cake, and thought from the start he'd be a great Bond. I'm glad all the nay-sayers are being proved wrong.