Much as I dislike removing Louise from her top spot on the blog today, Tim’s been nagging me to know what I thought about Casino Royale.
Louise and I got to the cinema about 5 minutes before the film started, thankfully with pre-bought tickets in hand. Due to Orange Wednesdays the place was rammed and we were uncomfortably close to the front and off to the side. It reminded me of going to see Four Weddings where I was in the leftmost, frontmost seat. Ouch.
Anyway, enough of the situational ramblings. We both enjoyed the film and I think it is improved as much by what is left out as what is put in. Particularly the jettisoning of much of the Bond paraphernalia that has grown up around the series. Recent films had acquired a touch of the pantomime where you know most of the shape of the film before you even sit down. Listen up 007, this is a watch. Oh yes it is! Oh no it isn’t! Ah, Miss Thinly Veiled Double Entendre, I’ve been expecting you. He’s behind you!
In the opening (post-credit) chase scene my hackles started to rise: When is climbing up a crane ever a good idea as an escape route? But as soon as I saw the parkour action I couldn’t help but smile. I’ve wondered for a couple of years what it would be like to use parkour stunts in a film; answer: good!
From that point on the film had me engaged almost throughout. I thought the running commentary on the poker game a little heavy handed. Look! It is the tell! He is bluffing. Yes, thanks, James already explained that not two minutes ago. Stupid test audiences!
The humor, too, was much better. And so on… lots of other people have raved more articulately about the obvious improvements. My few gripes above aside, it was a good film. They’ll make a packet. Yes, James Bond will certainly be back.
End note: A quick plug for Firefox 2. The built-in spell checker certainly made writing this post a lot easier. Or a least less embarrassing when I got “paraphernalia” wrong.