Casino Royale, Daniel Craig: YES!!!

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. ( Read more... )

It's not like I had anything against Pierce Brosnan -- no sirree. Him and his chest hair: lovely. Just so easy on the eyes! ( Read more... )

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. ( Read more... )

The opening credits are a graphical delight: a blend of then (Spirograph, 60s-nostalgia), now (target sights), and future (fractals). ( Read more... )

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.