...I really do need to finish it one of these days... it\'s not like I wasn\'t enjoying myself; I think I actually just had to duck out and do something else and never did come back.
@Spectral Time It\'s well worth it! Don\'t force yourself of course, but if you\'re ever in the mood for a solid spy story with a good relationship at its heart, it\'s hard to beat this one.
I'm a geek.
The novel has similar themes and character beats, though the plot has a lot added to it. It starts off with Bond at the casino trying to force into bankruptcy this man with Soviet connections, with all the glitz, champagne and pretty women we associate with the franchise. Then halfway through it takes a turn for the gritty, playing out much like the film, and then about a third is simply Bond recovering and laying out what a toll his work as a spy has taken on him. The novel has a place on Unbuilt Trope for good reason. The film adds on everything before the casino, to introduce the new Bond to audiences, but it is certainly a faithful take.
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What Does it Take to Become James Bond?
That's the question that lies at the heart of this movie. Casino Royale is more than just an origin story and reboot, it's an interrogation of what makes James Bond as a character. It's to the film's credit that the answer it provides feels satisfying and even exciting at times while also being realistically tragic. The dark truth of the Bond character is that as cool as he is, actually being him would really suck.
Obviously quite a lot of this influence comes from Ian Fleming's original novel, the last time so far that this one has been adapted and the first time in the official EON series. I'll admit that I personally have not read it, but everything I've heard suggests that this is one of the closer adaptations the series has done, similar to On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Like that one, this film aims to paint Bond not as a larger-than-life figure, but as a human one. And once again, a tragic romance is at the center of it all.
The doomed relationship between Bond and Vesper Lynd carries the film's strongest moments. The scene where Bond comforts her in the shower is one of the most emotionally powerful in the series, and Vesper's inevitable death rises to match it. It's also elevated by the electrifying chemistry between Eva Green and Daniel Craig. Of all the relationships in these movies, this is the most believable. Both actors imbue life into these characters in a mesmerizing way.
Craig in particular deserves praise as the film ultimately rests on his shoulders. It's easy to forget now after five films and fifteen years, but there was a time when few believed he could rise to the role. Not only did he prove the naysayers wrong, he provided hands-down the best performance any actor has ever given as Bond. From the action sequences to the romance to the cold swagger, he pulls it all of with aplomb.
Speaking of the action sequences, director Martin Campbell pulls out all the stops this time. Fans of Film/Goldeneye shouldn't be surprised at his ability to direct pulse-pounding excitement, but the setpieces here make his first effort for the series seem tame in comparison. Bond's chase of the bomber in Africa near the beginning of the film is a series highlight, and the others are no slouch either. The final sequence in Venice may run a little long, but it's made up for by the strong emotional payoff of Vesper's death.
The last part I want to talk about is the music. Between David Arnold's impressive score and Chris Cornell's rockin' theme song, Bond has never sounded better. It's no surprise that many cues from this one were reused throughout Craig's run. Arnold's latest take on the Bond theme in particular is my favorite arrangement of it. Its slow-building suspense leading into a powerful blast is perfect for the character. The way it punctuates the ending of the film is the icing on the cake.
Overall, this is the film I consider the objectively best of the series. While The Spy Who Loved Me will always hold a place in my heart as my favorite, this one is the series pinnacle. I have a hard time believing it will ever be topped, but if it ever is we will be blessed with another truly amazing film.