Casino Royale

Well, after an almost disastrous false start, my friends and I finally managed to see this last night. I know preambles are frowned upon, so I'll say it very quick.

Basically we agreed to meed at Omni and buy tickets there, but the 1630 and 1700 shows were already sold out, so we had a drink and a meal before the 1930 one, but that one only had six seats left and we had seven people with us, and since the Slug and Lettuce took ages to bring us just our drinks, we booked the film at Cineworld for 1750, but only after Frazer booked it because the voice recognition system on the phone couldn't recognise Mark's south african accent, which meant we only just got there in time and had a nice meal afterwards in Old Orleans which was all a way of celebrating Mark's birthday, for which I forgot to buy him a card.

So, first impressions of the film. It's damn good.

How good? Well, let's put it this way. Casino Royale has made more in it's opening weekend than any other Bond film in history. And I can see why.

Daniel Craig is Bond. I totally bought the character. And that's not easy. Bond is a well established character, but this film is taking it back to the beginning of his career, stripping away all the refinements and alterations that were made to the character over the years.

What can I tell you without giving too much away? It's grittier. ......That's about it, actually.

Let's put it this way: there's swearing. Any more would spoil it, and you deserve to see this film with no spoilers.

Judi Dench is to be commended. She's totally re-created M for this role. None of the verbal jousting with Bond, no tongue in cheek humour from her. She tells him to get on with his job and makes the consequences for his failure all too clear.

Does the film stand up to repeat viewings? Ask me tomorrow, I'm seeing it again tonight courtesy of the movie club. I was tempted to buy a red carnation or something so people will spot me tonight (8pm showing), but anyone going tonight will be able to recognise me. I'll be the one in the black jacket looking lost and confused and not entirely sure what to do with his hands.

Score: A- Why an A-? Well.....damn it! I can't tell you without it being a spoiler! This is intolerable...

OQ: Yes. Considerably....

"Sorry about that. That last hand nearly killed me..."

I can't believe they wrecked five Aston Martin DBSes making this film!

Daniel Craig definitely brings his own interpretation of Bond to the screen. He's not emulating any of his predecessors. This is Bond without the sophistication, without the refinements and without the gadgets. He makes far fewer one liners and is more violent. None of that one-punch-and-he's-out nonsense here. Fistfights are bloody and violent.

The film definitely breaks the Bond Film Formula. There's a nice twist on the bloody eye opening sequence, and the film's ending is a lot less clear cut. It's a brave move, but I believe they've pulled it off.