You know my name...
Alright, I said I would reserve judgement until I saw it a second time, as too often I find myself on the cusp of the hype of a movie, and rate it much higher than it really deserves.
Most of you who know me, know that I'm a straight Bond fanatic. I may not have gotten to the books yet, but I'm working on that. I just got back from my second viewing of Casino Royale, and until I find something that rubs me wrong about it, its contending with my previous top 5 for the pole position.
I never really liked Timothy Dalton as a Bond. The reason is that he was always known as the "serious" bond. Its easy to see after Craig's debut as bond (and who knows, it honestly could just be because of the superiour script writing and direction) that Daniel Craig has taken that title. There was always something wrong with Dalton. He was too greasy, or too soft... or something. Daniel Craig? Not so. Daniel Craig delivers the Bond that was originally in my mind's eye before it got clouded by all the beautiful cars, women, and gadgets. He has a dry wit, a quick tongue, and a dirty fighting style.
So now I've hit a bit of a cunundrum: Nobody can replace Sean Connery. I mean hell, he chokes a woman with her own bikini in Diamonds are Forever. However, I watched Diamonds are Forever last night, and what I saw was a slapstick action movie. Casino Royale casts away the gadgets and explosions for a serious spy movie. Daniel Craig is the first Bond since Connery to be able to deliver one-liners without the audience cringing; (see also: "I thought Christmas only comes once a year.") Just to make sure my tastes hadn't simply changed to enjoy the more "serious" Bond more, I watched the beginning of The Living Daylights tonight. No, Dalton still has no charm.
The test will come in 5 movies' time. Traditionally, a Bond actor starts out amazing, fresh, and loved. After all, that's why they're invited back for more (Except Lazenby who publicly slandered the role. Even though he was loved, he was not invited back for more.) Brosnan had his moment: Goldeneye. Roger Moore is the exception with Live and Let Die: it really was an odd piece, but then again, anything set in the bayou would be. He instead hit his mark in his next film, Octopussy. After the first few films, a Bond's jokes begin to become tired. The wrinkles set in, and we are left to rely on Q and the Bond women to really lift the film. Connery relied on Jill St. John, Brosnan on Halle Berry, Moore Relied on... well... Christopher Walken, but that was a horrible Bond movie anyway.
I guess what I'm getting at is this: I want this to be the birth of a new vision on the series. I want to see Daniel Craig play Bond until his hair turns grey, but I don't want to see him falling into relying on gadgets and poor puns. I want more of Casino Royale. If that happens? Connery will still be thought of as Bond, but Daniel Craig will be thought of as the man who perfected the role.
Anyway, I guess time will tell, but for now, here is my updated top 5 (In order of release. There's no possible way I could put a definate ordering on them):
Goldfinger, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me, Goldeneye, Casino Royale
Knocked Out: Thunderball
Most of you who know me, know that I'm a straight Bond fanatic. I may not have gotten to the books yet, but I'm working on that. I just got back from my second viewing of Casino Royale, and until I find something that rubs me wrong about it, its contending with my previous top 5 for the pole position.
I never really liked Timothy Dalton as a Bond. The reason is that he was always known as the "serious" bond. Its easy to see after Craig's debut as bond (and who knows, it honestly could just be because of the superiour script writing and direction) that Daniel Craig has taken that title. There was always something wrong with Dalton. He was too greasy, or too soft... or something. Daniel Craig? Not so. Daniel Craig delivers the Bond that was originally in my mind's eye before it got clouded by all the beautiful cars, women, and gadgets. He has a dry wit, a quick tongue, and a dirty fighting style.
So now I've hit a bit of a cunundrum: Nobody can replace Sean Connery. I mean hell, he chokes a woman with her own bikini in Diamonds are Forever. However, I watched Diamonds are Forever last night, and what I saw was a slapstick action movie. Casino Royale casts away the gadgets and explosions for a serious spy movie. Daniel Craig is the first Bond since Connery to be able to deliver one-liners without the audience cringing; (see also: "I thought Christmas only comes once a year.") Just to make sure my tastes hadn't simply changed to enjoy the more "serious" Bond more, I watched the beginning of The Living Daylights tonight. No, Dalton still has no charm.
The test will come in 5 movies' time. Traditionally, a Bond actor starts out amazing, fresh, and loved. After all, that's why they're invited back for more (Except Lazenby who publicly slandered the role. Even though he was loved, he was not invited back for more.) Brosnan had his moment: Goldeneye. Roger Moore is the exception with Live and Let Die: it really was an odd piece, but then again, anything set in the bayou would be. He instead hit his mark in his next film, Octopussy. After the first few films, a Bond's jokes begin to become tired. The wrinkles set in, and we are left to rely on Q and the Bond women to really lift the film. Connery relied on Jill St. John, Brosnan on Halle Berry, Moore Relied on... well... Christopher Walken, but that was a horrible Bond movie anyway.
I guess what I'm getting at is this: I want this to be the birth of a new vision on the series. I want to see Daniel Craig play Bond until his hair turns grey, but I don't want to see him falling into relying on gadgets and poor puns. I want more of Casino Royale. If that happens? Connery will still be thought of as Bond, but Daniel Craig will be thought of as the man who perfected the role.
Anyway, I guess time will tell, but for now, here is my updated top 5 (In order of release. There's no possible way I could put a definate ordering on them):
Goldfinger, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me, Goldeneye, Casino Royale
Knocked Out: Thunderball