Bond, James Bond

[MegaHertz67]

I've never started a thread before...neat-o.

This is not really tv related but...I just got back from the new Bond movie Casino Royale. Wow, it takes the franchise in a whole new direction.

I basically starts 007 over at the beginning as if all the others had not existed. Daniel Craig did a great job. And it is the first time I can remember that Bond shows pain. And he is a very blue-collar type Bond. Not the erudite Roger Moore or Pierce Brosnan. More like the early movies with Sean Connery.

At 144 minutes it was long, and felt it at times. But the action sequences more than made up for it.

The first 20 minutes had some of the most incredibly timed and performed stunts I have ever seen. Jackie Chan, eat your heart out.

This is not the 007 we are used to seeing. There are not those funny throw away lines we are used to from Bond. The is no Q with the fancy gadgets, no Miss Moneypenny to flirt with. This is about how Bond becomes a double-0 secret agent. Worth the time and money if you like this sort of thing.

The Bond girls were stunning as always. And there is even a couple of beefcake moment for the ladies of Craig in a swimsuit coming out of the surf a la Urusla Andress or Halle Berry. There were a couple of hoots in our audience from appreciative women in the crowd.

I don't know how to spoilerize, so I did my best to not give any details away. I hope I did okay.

[appleye1]

Good job on your first thread. Haven't seen the new Bond yet, but my daughter went with some of her friends tonight. They thought it was great.

Regarding spoilers: you can put spoiler tags around any text you want to be invisible. Simply put "[ spoiler ]" in the front of the text and "[ /spoiler]" after it (leave out the quotes and spaces of course.) But if your thread is going to be mostly spoilers like this thread is, then the easiest thing to do is put **SPOILERS** in the thread title. Then everyone can post in it without spoiler tags and anyone that doesn't want to be "spoiled" can just not open the thread. And if you're posting about a TV show you can simply put the episode number and/or episode date in the title and that also indicates spoilers within (only applies to the Now Playing forum.)

BTW, movie threads usually go in the Happy Hour forum, not Now Playing. I'm not sure why, just tradition I suppose. ("Now Playing" seems like it would apply to movies too, doesn't it? But then they added TV Talk after it so I guess it's exclusive to TV.)

[Jeeters]

Entertainment Weekly gave it a whopping "A". They loved it.

[betts4]

We are excited. We are going to see the movie in about two hours. My husband wants to wear his Tux to go see it. Bond style you know.

[katbug]

I'm not a Daniel Craig hater, but I already miss my Pierce. He'll forever be my Bond. :0(

That said, I was skeptical about Daniel Craig being the new Bond...pictures just looked wrong, but I saw a commercial ad for it the other day and I have to say he seems to slip easily into the role and command the screen. I just might give this one a whirl (no disloyalty to Pierce though. LOVE him!!!)

Thanks for posting the review (and for putting in the tv area since I never end up at happy hour, so would have missed it otherwise) ;0)

[sushikitten]

Hubby told me last night that he read some reviews telling guys to take their women because they would be IN THE MOOD afterwards...that the new 007 is something to behold.

To those who have seen it....thoughts? :)

[MegaHertz67]

Go see it only if you want to see your Bond buff in a bathing suit or less a couple or three times.

[sushikitten]

Works for me, LOL. BTW, just watched the trailer and it looks good! We may go this afternoon!

[betts4]

Daniel Craig is H*O*T!!!!!!

Beautiful blue eyes, gorgeous body and great smile. I think after Sean, this is my favorite of all the Bonds. He beats them all out.

This movie was an action packed, twist and turner that had it all. Adventure, romance, drama, humor. It was wonderful. It is a bit long, and though some people said there were some slow parts, I didn't think so. The non action parts were great for building the characters and it was done so well that I didn't feel it slowed the movie down. Instead, it made it a stronger movie because of your knowledge about the players.

Mega got it right on, this is a Bond we haven't seen before, but it is still a Bond we can love.

Try to see it soon!!!

[jwjody]

No Moneypenny? That disappoints me more than anything!

J

[purwater]

+1 for thinking the movie was good. I was unsure what to expect from Craig, but it was enjoyable. I didn't really enjoy the last movie that Brosnan did. I thought it was too much fast and furious style and not enough of the classic Bond style. Casino Royale got back to the old Bond which is a good thing.

[tai-pan]

It's a very character-driven film and shows Bond grow into his persona as the movie progresses. It's one of the most rough and tumble Bond movies there's been and while I really enjoyed the last one with Pierce (speaking of rough and tumble, remember him beaten and tortured in prison at the begining?) this was much more believeable. Here's the only spoiler I'll give:

He doesn't say "Bond, James Bond" until the very end after fully becoming 007

[Hersheytx]

I was stunned by the how many women over the age of 50 were in my theater.
Even the group I was with noted it. I was in a theater that could hold at least 400 people. I would say 60 % were women with walkers or canes or just a younger person helping them around. It was very strange.
By the way, the movie was fantastic. It took a bit to figure out who the guy was at the end. But I got it. Though everyone in my group did not. I am special.

[betts4]

By the way, the movie was fantastic. It took a bit to figure out who the guy was at the end. But I got it. Though everyone in my group did not. I am special.
Okay, can you pm or spoiler-ize the answer....I don't have any idea and am interested.

[eddyj]

I liked it. They portrayed Bond much closer to the way he is in the books, rather than in the past movies where he is a pretty boy, and very suave. The key thing is that the "00" designation was given to agents that were assassins.

The whole story like, while updated, was also fairly faithful to the original book.

[mrpantstm]

Okay, can you pm or spoiler-ize the answer....I don't have any idea and am interested.

I wasn't quiet sure either but I'm guessing it was probably:

Ernst Stavro Blofeld - the archenemy of the British Secret Service agent James Bond and head of the evil terrorist organization SPECTRE.

[IJustLikeTivo]

Okay, can you pm or spoiler-ize the answer....I don't have any idea and am interested.

+1, just so I can keep an eye out when I see the movie Wed. If it's someone from the Bond world, I'm sure I'll notice since I've seen them all a lot of times by now. ;-)

[secondclaw]

I thought it was a great movie - and like others have said - too long - by maybe 20 minutes. I liked that product placements were less obtrusive - they ruined last few bond movies for me.

[mqpickles]

It's a very character-driven film and shows Bond grow into his persona as the movie progresses. It's one of the most rough and tumble Bond movies there's been and while I really enjoyed the last one with Pierce (speaking of rough and tumble, remember him beaten and tortured in prison at the begining?) this was much more believeable. Here's the only spoiler I'll give:

He doesn't say "Bond, James Bond" until the very end after fully becoming 007This makes me think of:
Star Wars Episode III

[mqpickles]

I was in a theater that could hold at least 400 people. I would say 60 % were women with walkers or canes or just a younger person helping them around. It was very strange. Could have been an outing for a group from a nursing home or assisted living facility. Seriously.

[iDriveX]

I disliked this movie. I am a Bond Aficionado and having this movie take place POST-9/11 and having it be how James Bond got his start as a 00 Agent just left me going...Ummmm Continuity?

Also I disliked how the girl dies in the end, If she really doublecrossed him to save his life, all she had to do was help him get her out and explain the whole thing to him, why did she feel she HAD to die?

Finally, I disliked the guy at the end, I wanted them to make him Blofeld, that would have made the movie really redeeming if they had introduced him as Blofeld, only to have him escape saying "This is not the last time we will meet Mr. Bond".

Also give the guy a Cigarette and have him play some Baccarat, forget this No Limit Texas Hold em Crap.

There we go, even though I wasn't the only one to let out some spoilers...

[MegaHertz67]

iDriveX...dude...dude...dude...spoilerize that info.

[kdelande]

Can't reference Blofeld or SPECTRE for legal reasons, see story surrounding Thunderball.

KD

[sushikitten]

iDriveX...dude...dude...dude...spoilerize that info.

+1 on the spoiler thing, for the first time ever, I think. :) I don't mind TV show spoilers for some reason, but movies? :down:

[windracer]

I just recorded the original Casino Royale off of BBC America last night. I think this is the one Bond film I've never seen. So is the new movie just a remake, or a "re-imagining" ala Battlestar Galactica?

[iDriveX]

I just recorded the original Casino Royale off of BBC America last night. I think this is the one Bond film I've never seen. So is the new movie just a remake, or a "re-imagining" ala Battlestar Galactica?

The original Casino Royale was a parody of the Bond Series. This would be considered "Canon" Bond.

[ahartman]

I wasn't quiet sure either but I'm guessing it was probably:

Ernst Stavro Blofeld - the archenemy of the British Secret Service agent James Bond and head of the evil terrorist organization SPECTRE.

I was awfully bored with the movie by the end - it was about 40 minutes too long - so maybe I remember this wrong, but doesn't that guy get a sharp stick in the eye, dying?

I didn't like this movie. I'm okay with the continuity issues, but the plot holes were waaaay to large to overlook.

The poker scenes were too long and they concentrated on the cards, not the players. BORING.

I give the opening sequence a BIG :up: . Things go downhill quickly from there.

[windracer]

The original Casino Royale was a parody of the Bond Series. This would be considered "Canon" Bond.
Ah, that would be why I've never seen it before. :)

[mmilton80]

As far as goodness goes...this wasn't. It dragged on for what seemed to be forever. I was extremely disappointed in this movie.

[lew]

Can't reference Blofeld or SPECTRE for legal reasons, see story surrounding Thunderball.

KD

No longer true. Sony sold the rights to Thunderball at the same time MGM go the rights to Casinio Royale.

http://www.bondmovies.com/news/52.shtml

[zordude]

I thought the movie was enjoyable.

I am very disappointed that they did a complete reboot though.

Z

[kdelande]

No longer true. Sony sold the rights to Thunderball at the same time MGM go the rights to Casinio Royale.

http://www.bondmovies.com/news/52.shtml
Interesting, wasn't aware of that development.

Thanks for that info!

KD

[jwjody]

Saw the movie earlier today. I thought it was great. Craig plays a different bond than we're use to seeing. But it was interesting.

I wouldn't mind going to see the movie again.

And I thought there was a slight Moneypenny reference.
When Vesper sits down in front of Bond on the train she says, "I'm the money." and Bond replies, "Worth every penny."

[PeternJim]

Great movie. We really didn't mind the rebooting of the franchise. Continuity is one thing, but continuity is already out the window if you try to reconcile cell phones and modern technology with previous Cold War Bonds.

I absolutely second (third or fourth) everyone who says ignore the impression the publicity photos gave you of Craig as Bond. I never saw a single one where he looked even halfway decent, much less hot, but he sure pulled it off in the movie.

Particularly liked that where previous Bonds could blow up entire enemy bunkers and only need to straighten their cufflinks, this one had to take a break to stitch himself up and replace the shredded and bloody tux.

Since Bond was never in the office, we really don't know whether the new reboot includes Moneypenney or the Q Branch. My guess is we'll see some sort of updated versions of each in the future movies.

[cwoody222]

The first 20 minutes had some of the most incredibly timed and performed stunts I have ever seen. Jackie Chan, eat your heart out.



I noticed something like "Jumping Choreographer" in the opening credits. The 'stunts' were very similar to stuff Madonna did in her video for "Jump" and in her recent tour.

I'm wondering if it was done by the same guy but that title isn't listed on IMDB. Anyone know?


Oh - and Daniel Craig is just HOT in this movie. Wow. Best body of any Bond. Wow.

:up: :up: :up:

[lew]

Can't reference Blofeld or SPECTRE for legal reasons, see story surrounding Thunderball.

KD

Blofeld was in a total of 7 bond movies. Largo, #2 man at SPECTRE was the main villion in Thunderball. Blofeld was a minor character in Thunderball.

[LlamaLarry]

I noticed something like "Jumping Choreographer" in the opening credits. The 'stunts' were very similar to stuff Madonna did in her video for "Jump" and in her recent tour.I am pretty sure it was "Free Running" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkour).

[PJO1966]

I know I'm going to be in the minority with this opinion, but here goes... Daniel Craig is my favorite Bond to date. I like the fact that he had to rely only on his wits and brute strength as opposed to the gadgets. Not only that, he looked damn fine both in the tux and out of it. I didn't feel the movie dragged at all... I thought it moved at a good clip. I wouldn't mind seeing this one again.

[mrpantstm]

I am pretty sure it was "Free Running" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkour).

I was going to going to say this too. :)

Check out District B13 for some slick Parkour.

[pmyers]

I liked the movie but didn't care for the black and white scene in the beginning of the movie.

[flyersfan]

I basically agree with PJO - this was the best Bond in decades and will probably hold up better than even the Connery movies. Goldfinger, Thunderball, and Dr. No are all great movies but get more dated with every passing year.

Daniel Craig is already my 2nd favorite Bond, and Connery gets #1 only because of his original take on the character.

[jwjody]

I was going to going to say this too. :)

Check out District B13 for some slick Parkour.
I was going to jump in here with the suggestion for B13. I watched the opening of it on YouTube a few weeks ago and added it to my Netflix queue.

Cool looking movie.

J

[Bai Shen]

I'm goin' to see the movie in a couple hours. Didn't realize it was that long. :(

[MassD]

The continuity thing didn't bother me... what's wrong with re-inventing the franchise? They did it with Batman. They had to do a total reboot. Anything else would be a farce...

I saw this a couple weeks back and I have to say I really liked it. It got back to a more realistic thriller... avoiding the gimmicky Bonds of late. Craig's Bond was believable, you got the impression that this was a man, not a caricature or super-spy movie cliche. He had feelings, weaknesses, depth of all things. And he would get hurt.... No, no hurt in the "dribble of blood out the side of the lip" hurt that one is accustomed to seeing in Bond movies...

And I won't go into much detail here, but there is one scene with a wicker chair with the seat cut out...

Ooof...

Anyhow... This was an excellent film. The first Bond film I've seen in a long time that wasn't just fluff, stunts and gadgets. While long, I personally think it moved along well. Like Batman Returns, Casino Royale injected some life back into a sagging franchise. Bond's back, and he's pissed!

[mrpantstm]

I was going to jump in here with the suggestion for B13. I watched the opening of it on YouTube a few weeks ago and added it to my Netflix queue.

Cool looking movie.

J

It's a good flick but watch it for the stunts and action. The storyline..... :rolleyes:

Check out the behind the scenes stuff too. The two guys in it pull off some crazy stunts.

[kdelande]

Blofeld was in a total of 7 bond movies. Largo, #2 man at SPECTRE was the main villion in Thunderball. Blofeld was a minor character in Thunderball.
True, there were more movies with Blofeld and the SPECTRE org but the rift between the various parties involved began at the time of Thunderball. From the link posted earlier:

"Fast forward to the late 1990s when Sony (who acquired the Casino rights when they purchased Columbia Pictures) locked horns with MGM over disputed rights to the Bond film Thunderball."

Eventually, the group that had certain rights said F You and the result was some agreement where MGM couldn't use the SPECTRE or Blofeld names and so you never heard of them any more after, Diamonds are Forever I think.... That group then went on to make Never Say Never Again which is effectively a remake of Thunderball and has the SPECTRE references b/c they had the rights, but they went nowhere, never made another Bond movie (thank God), and now one group has all of the rights to the series again through acqusition. That's why NSNA is not part of the official Bond movie canon.

KD