This franchise reboot was another movie I would not have watched if it weren’t for boredom and the obsessive maniacal need to spend money. James Bond and I have a long history, well actually James Bond and my father go a long way back. It was unimaginable that my ol’man would miss a Bond movie on the tube, but obviously he would never purchase a copy either. Bond was his little idol, more even than Mac Gyver, The A-Team, Starsky and Hutch or even Hawai Five O were. My father is a cop and obviously jealous of everyone who can resolve a problem in less than 50 minutes. James Bond, Bond just made dad drool.
After Layer Cake and Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels there was no doubt and I knew Craig would become a great Bond, still I refused to watch Casino Royale, until some day I had a dire need. The neeed to get rid of my money and boy am I happy I did.
Movie – Plot
Eva Green is hot, Dame Judi Dench is brilliant as always and Daniel Craig couldn’t be more Bond than James Bond himself.
Casino Royale is exactly what the Bond series needed to revive the franchise and bring glamour, action and suspense back. From the first minute the movie catches your attention and every actor performs brilliantly. The film is filled with suspense, gadgetless suspense and lots of running. Cars, cocktails, evening dresses and poker. Boxing, running and Eva Green. I almost hate to admit that I watched Casino Royale 3 times within 2 weeks, also due to the great soundtrack by David Arnold.
Picture and Audio
Casino Royale does NOT start with the universally Bond theme. Get over it. Nor will you hear the famous The name is Bond, James Bond words after the opening scene. An animated opening scene, immediately putting you in the right atmosphere and raising the curiosity level.
Arnold David has written an amazing score for this movie, probably even better than many scores by Hans Zimmer. From the opning scene to the last tune, the Bond theme, the audio keeps the mind in the perfect ambiance and travels one round the world. If you are luckily enough to have a (semi) decent HD amplifier and a decent subwoofer, your neighbours will hate you. Especially when the palazza crumbles.
If you’re luckily enough to have a plus $10k Hi-fi system, maybe you’re one of those annoying Linear PCM vs. Dolby TrueHD fanboys. I myself only have a semi decent system and found the sound ion this disc one of the best audio tracks I’ve heard so far, up there with Apocalypto.
Extras
With this 2 Disc Deluxe Edition it is no surprise that there are plenty of extras, enough to almost fill a day of day time television. Most of all, they are worth it. And there’s Eva Green.
As usual, Disc One features the compulsory director’s and producer’s comment (with PIP option for Profile 1.1 enabled players) and BD live content to a promotional Sony trailer site (meh).
Bonus Content Disc 2
Deleted Scenes
There are 4 deleted scenes, all in HD, and they definitely are worth watching. I myself found “Gettler Raises Bond’s Suspicions“ great and thought the scene would perfectly have fitted in the movie.
The Road to Casino Royale
Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson on why they wanted to film the first Ian Fleming story ever. In HD.
Ian Fleming’s Incredible Creation
An intriguing look in the character Ian Fleming created. Also in HD.
James Bond in the Bahamas and Ian Fleming: The Secret Road to Paradise
For the first time I discovered the _importance_ of The Bahamas in the James Bond franchise. Interesting, historical view in the history of both Bond and Ian Fleming. Both in HD.
Death in Venice
Details on the Palazza scene. Also in HD.
Becoming Bond Documentary
Get ready for Daniel Craig as the new Bond.
More content
There is much more bonus content on Disc 2, but except for the Art of the Freerun, which features Sebastien Foucault’s performance in one of the first scenes, I could not really be bothered with the rest. Bond Girls are forever probably was one of the most boring specials on Bond Girl’s I’ve ever seen.
Final Thoughts
Eva Green is hot!
With the risk of offending old-skoolers such as my father, I am going to say that this is the best Bond all time and I am looking forward to see Craig perform the role of our beloved super agent for many years. Obviously the next movie will be a disappointment, but I’m sure we will see many more marvellous episodes in the Bond saga.
This 2 Disc Deluxe Edition of Casino Royale is a must have and so is the soundtrack by David Arnold.
PS: Could Eva Green make a comeback in a future movie? I’d rather see her than Richard Branson who had a cameo in Casino Royale.
