Not the Bond Experience I Expected

I have not seen a good film since this summer and I was hoping that the new James Bond film, Casino Royale, would be great. Quite honestly, I’m still thinking, “What the fuck did I just see?” I’m sure it’s a great movie, but I had a difficult time trying to follow it. Usually, I can get the rough idea on the first sit down with a Bond film. (Mind you, I have only been aware of the Pierce Brosnan films.) Then with subsequent viewings, I can pick up on some of the details. With Casino Royale, I gave up and just went with the flow. I may have to go watch it again and maybe I’ll finally get what was going on.

My friend Erin and I went to Showplace 16 which is on the other side of South Bend. We figured that the Niles Wonderland (I still call it the Niles Ready) would have been packed since it was opening Friday. Trust me, the Niles theater is not a place you want to be packed into. Since Showplace had, I think, three theaters devoted to Casino Royale, we would have better luck of getting a decent seat. To be safe, we got our tickets first and then headed out for dinner. When we got back, there were only three or so people in the theater before us. Where’s the crowd?. The crowd never showed up. When the movie started, the stadium section wasn’t even 1/3 full and the lower floor section only had a few stragglers in it. Was there something that the general public knows about this film and we didn’t? Not that I was complaining or anything. Hell, I love me some elbow room.

Both Erin and I were wondering about Daniel Craig, the “blond” Bond. Um, he wasn’t blond to me. More like, a light brown. Erin thought he was good looking. Me, not so much. Is it me, or does he look more like a villain? However, I did find him to be more gritty than Pierce. Not as suave or sophisticated. I think that was what they were going with him since this movie seems to be retcon.

Casino Royale noticeably left out a couple things. Where was Miss Moneypenny? Where was Q? Where were the ridiculously fancy devices too? Only M seemed to survive. (And isn’t Judi Dench simply perfect for the part?)

This was Erin’s first time watching a Bond film. I might have to go get a few DVDs so that we can watch some of them. I’m thinking GoldenEye to start.

Again, I liked it but I didn’t get it. So I am hesitantly suggesting that you see it if you already haven’t.

UPDATE 21 Nov. 2006:
James Bond fan, David Fearn, changed his name to:

James Dr No From Russia With Love Goldfinger Thunder-ball You Only Live Twice On Her Majesty's Secret Service Diamonds Are Forever Live And Let Die The Man With The Golden Gun The Spy Who Loved Me Moonraker For Your Eyes Only Octopussy A View To A Kill The Living Daylights Licence To Kill Golden Eye Tomorrow Never Dies The World Is Not Enough Die Another Day Casino Royale Bond.

Read it here.

Idiot.

h/t: Dlisted