I saw it Friday afternoon. The theater was about half full, so it should do well.
I would call it a reboot. Connery invented the part and the rest just copied his lead. This is different enough to be original. It has some of that grit to it before the sequels got cute.

The actor is certainly a different style and look. Although he's in good shape he has that jaw fat like old ladies have.

The gadgets are realistic things that a government worker might get to use, instead of laser wristwatches and million dollar cars.

The action is still kind of over the top. They can't seem to let go of the more is better thinking. And although he does get cuts and such he certainly recovers fast from near death experiences. But it is Bond.

I would watch it again.

Good review. Felt much the same. The plot lost me at times and I didn't really engage until about 3/4 through the movie.

Why the guy with the gimpy eye was bankrolling terrorists in the first place escapes me.

And surprise: in the modeling credits, one of our own is listed. Or his doppelganger.

I loved it, kind of a "Batman Begins" reboot. Very gritty and sometimes dark. Bond was ruthless and, as M said, a "blunt instrument".

And surprise: in the modeling credits, one of our own is listed. Or his doppelganger.

Do tell, who?

'The Shaggy DA'.

Well, the morning after, while not leaving me feel all warm and cuddly, I want to see more of this Bond character.

Pieces of the plot came back to me. While contrived, (why bankrupt the villain in a poker game when they could just freeze his assets? Maybe I'm naive about what 'the war on terrorism' is capable of doing, but poker games just don't fit it) the plot doesn't leave any loose ends, frayed ends perhaps that the audience must work to ravel back together.

Aren't too many movies that wifey, kids and I will discuss after the fact.

just saw it this afternoon. probably te best Bond since Goldeneye. I think this is the same director who made it. I must say that I had some problems with Craig doing Bond beore seeing the movie. But, during the movie, this guy suited up the character pretty well. The action sequences were a lot more realistic and funnier than the crappy FX in Die another day. And, for once in a while, I thought the Bond girl not as annoying as usual...

definitely a great Bond film. go see it. It worths the ticket price !

Butch

'The Shaggy DA'.

Remind me to throw a roll at you at the next Payne family reunion. :p

So, John, How did you like the movie?

Didn't see it yet! Can't wait for it to hit DVD, it sure sounds good!

Remind me to throw a roll at you at the next Payne family reunion. :p

Well 'John Payne' was glaring at me from the credits. No one you know?

You should take Mary. Not to worry, you have more than a passing resemblance to Daniel Craig.

I just saw this film today and it was superb. In sensibility they have dialed Bond back to about 1965 when the franchise was still respectable. Craig is a superb 007. He eclipses everyone since Connery and I'd considerhim on par with Connery at his best. But on top of it all this a great script, finely directed and damn good performances all around. They have taken the enthusiasm and seasoned it with a serious dose of intelligence. It mayn't be faithful to the letter of Ian Fleming's original novel, but it is very faithful to the spirit of Fleming's 007.

Cool. Bloody cool! I was once a huge Bond fan but my interest and enthusiasm lapsed back around the late '80s or so. Now I'm interested again.

To quote Liz Braun's review in the Toronto Sun: don't read anymore and just go see this film.

One aspect that was faithful to the book took me by surprise. I couldn't believe it when the villain's henchman started cutting the seat out of the wicker chair.

Well 'John Payne' was glaring at me from the credits. No one you know?


Seriuosly!? Wasn't me! Unless they stole something off one of my shelves without me knowing!

Yep - listed in the credits under Model Builders is John Payne. I'd go with it, John, and if anybody ever makes fun of your hobby tell them to check out your work in Casino Royale.

We really loved this film and Craig's take on Bond. Good action sequences without any digital effects screaming "Look at what we can do!" My only nitpick was the female lead - I don't know - she just didn't do it for me...

I started to squirm in the chair when they cut out the wicker. NEVER a good sign!

One aspect that was faithful to the book took me by surprise. I couldn't believe it when the villain's henchman started cutting the seat out of the wicker chair.

I just saw this film today and it was superb. In sensibility they have dialed Bond back to about 1965 when the franchise was still respectable. Craig is a superb 007. He eclipses everyone since Connery and I'd considerhim on par with Connery at his best. But on top of it all this a great script, finely directed and damn good performances all around. They have taken the enthusiasm and seasoned it with a serious dose of intelligence. It mayn't be faithful to the letter of Ian Fleming's original novel, but it is very faithful to the spirit of Fleming's 007.

Cool. Bloody cool! I was once a huge Bond fan but my interest and enthusiasm lapsed back around the late '80s or so. Now I'm interested again.


Pretty much my thoughts except that, being a big fan of the original novels as well, I'd say this was the best Bond EVER! :thumbsup: It made me think that these were things that could and do happen and in much the manner depicted. I didn't have to stretch the old suspension of disbelief for this movie as I had to for the fantasy Bond movies of the past.

It's been a while since I read the novel but it seems they did a really great update to the story in its details while leaving the raw guts and spirit of action adventure intact.

One aspect that was faithful to the book took me by surprise. I couldn't believe it when the villain's henchman started cutting the seat out of the wicker chair.

I had serious deja-vu there as well and couldn't believe they were including that sequence from the book.

Yep - listed in the credits under Model Builders is John Payne. I'd go with it, John, and if anybody ever makes fun of your hobby tell them to check out your work in Casino Royale.

We really loved this film and Craig's take on Bond. Good action sequences without any digital effects screaming "Look at what we can do!" My only nitpick was the female lead - I don't know - she just didn't do it for me...

As a tribute to the model makers, I really couldn't tell what were models and what were CGI. I suspect very little of the latter was used.

The Miami Airport scene must've used models with people patched in. I'm thinking the big honking airplane and the view inside the cockpit. But I'm not sure. I didn't care that much for the plane design. Looked like a Russian take on the A380.

I think the Venice townhouse sinking into the water was a model too and not CGI. But it was very well done. Except I don't think there is that much water under Venice to allow a 3 story building to disappear up to the roof line.

JP: Tell Mary there is extensive doll house modelling.

I saw Casino Royale Saturday night. As I expected, I had no trouble at all with Daniel Craig, and I enjoyed the movie taken on its own merits. As far as viewing it as a reboot ... I still haven't decided what I think about that. It voids everything that happened in all the films prior to this one -- Connery enthusiasts, take note.

I didn't like the gun barrel sequence at all, such as it was. I'm telling myself it was part of the credit sequence and, as such, it is okay for it to be so stylized in comparison to those of the past. I hope that when it is put back at the beginning for the next film (as I hear it will be), it will go back to something closer to the previous style.

That aside, I liked the title sequence. I thought it came across as the most "Maurice Binder-esque" of all those Kleinman has done. The music was nicely done, hinting at the Bond theme a couple of times very sparingly until the end credits, yet still managing to sound like Bond movie music even without it.

Judi Dench seemed, to me, to be playing a different M this time around.

As far as having elements that were scaled down in comparison to previous Bond films, it strikes me that this applies more to the villains than to Bond himself.

Qapla'

SSB

what do Bond fans want??

a more faithful portrayal of Bond based on the books
or
a Bond in keeping with the big loud boom of the films?

what do Bond fans want??

a more faithful portrayal of Bond based on the books
or
a Bond in keeping with the big loud boom of the films?I like a little of both.

Qapla'

SSB

^^Yeah, I'd say we definitely got both in this film.

The plane design looked like a 747 with computer alterations.

'Although the Sony/MGM movie was virtually the unanimous choice to outdistance the competition -- by far -- it ended up in second place, marched over by the animated penguins in Warner Bros.' Happy Feet. According to estimates released Sunday, the penguin movie earned $42.3 million, while the Bond flick raked in $40.6 million. However, the film now boasts a worldwide gross of $154.1 million. The film reportedly cost $15 million to produce.'

An article comparing the first movie of each Bond;

http://ifc.com/news/article?aId=18314

[ Wintera WiFi sucks.]

The longest running time for a James Bond movie. The film's 144 minute and 7 seconds running time now surpasses On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)'s 140 minute run time. That movie held the record for 37 years.

Diane Hartford who features as Card Player #3 in the credits has the longest ever gap between appearances in Bond movies. She had three lines playing a girl in the Kiss Kiss Club in Thunderball (1965) forty one years before. Tsai Chin who plays Madame Wu in this film has the second longest ever gap between appearances in Bond movies. She played Ling in You Only Live Twice (1967) thirty nine years earlier.

Haven't seen the movie yet but I'm surprised no one has mentioned Eva Green. That woman drives me insane (in a real good way).

Haven't seen the movie yet but I'm surprised no one has mentioned Eva Green. That woman drives me insane (in a real good way).

Amen, brother!

Yeah, definatly distraced by her charmes.

I liked the movie. This movie had, to me , the best action of all 007. The last scene was a classic. When I saw it at 12:15pm today, their were 5 watching the movie, me included.

The film reportedly cost $15 million to produce.
There's no way Happy Feet nor Royale could be produced for $15 mil.

Another site says Production Budget $102,000,000 for Bond, $85,000,000 for Happy Feet. A little more realistic.

I'm glad to see that this film has seemed to zip shut the collective mouths of the Craig haters. The film was great. Dark, gritty and grounded a bit more in reality-and damn if he didn't really remind me of Connery in the very last shot! A much needed and appreciated step in the right direction.

I'm glad to see that this film has seemed to zip shut the collective mouths of the Craig haters. The film was great. Dark, gritty and grounded a bit more in reality-and damn if he didn't really remind me of Connery in the very last shot! A much needed and appreciated step in the right direction.

Beautifully stated, good sir! :thumbsup:

Apparently the plane is a Virgin Atlantic Airbus A340-600. Did you see Richard Branson in a quick cameo?

Also Michael G. Wilson continues his cameos which started in Goldfinger. Wilson is a writer/ producer, whose dad was the first screen Batman, and stepdad is Albert R Broccoli.

First Bond movie where it rains.

Saw it today and loved it. The franchise really needed this. Refreshing but not a total reimagining. Kind of a combination of new-and-improved and going back to basics like the earliest Bond films.

Did not miss the gadgetry but could have had more fun with the car. That was a very short chase sequence.

They have tried to show the duality of Bond before, but I would argue that they have never been this successful. The line from the film where Vesper says he won't let her in because he has his armor back on is very telling. To use a Trek example, Bond, like Spock, has emotions. He must suppress them and remain detached to be good at his job. This certainly isn't new ground, but it was so well done. I was impressed and I eagerly await the next Bond.

So - anybody know when the James Bond titles will be released individually again on DVD? I have no interest in the box-sets since they are clearly collated to make you buy all the ones you don't want in order to own the ones that you do.:mad:

Yep, I noticed that too. Marketing at work.

They'll never make me buy Star Trek V. :tongue:

Who played Bond in that one? Larry Lukenbill?

They'll never make me buy Star Trek V. :tongue:

So - anybody know when the James Bond titles will be released individually again on DVD? I have no interest in the box-sets since they are clearly collated to make you buy all the ones you don't want in order to own the ones that you do.:mad:

Yeah, whassup widdat? I figured on buying the first box to get all the early films, and it's a totally random mix!

Just got back from the theater. Somewhere, I suspect, Sean Connery is missing his mantle.

Mickey?

Mickey?

Bond. James Bond.

Anyone else catch the nod to Moneypenny? At least I think it was intentional. Could have been a coincidence. It was dialogue between Vesper and Bond. He mentions something about "Money" and she replies not one "penny." Maybe, maybe not?

Anybody catch Richard Branson getting the pat-down at the airport?

Anyone else catch the nod to Moneypenny? At least I think it was intentional. Could have been a coincidence. It was dialogue between Vesper and Bond. He mentions something about "Money" and she replies not one "penny." Maybe, maybe not?

Vesper Lynd: I'm the money!
James Bond: Every penny of it!

Anyone else catch the nod to Moneypenny? At least I think it was intentional. Could have been a coincidence. It was dialogue between Vesper and Bond. He mentions something about "Money" and she replies not one "penny." Maybe, maybe not?

Most definitely a nod. I also loved the 'shaken, not stirred' nod.

Anybody catch Richard Branson getting the pat-down at the airport?

I did, in post #34. Like he ever goes thru security.

The money-penny thing has been talked about on other sites. Some for, some against. She would have made a good one, but the female dog is dead.

Vesper Lynd: I'm the money!
James Bond: Every penny of it!

Thanks for the clarity.

I never took it as Vesper being a version of Moneypenny, just a nod to the name. Moneypenny was in the book, but absent from the film. Maybe next film.

the female dog is dead.I was surprised to hear that line (which is in the novel) make it into the movie.

Qapla'

SSB