Guess What I Did Yesterday

[aesmael]

That's right, I went and saw Casino Royale with my sister. I had been hopeful for its possibilities yet fearing some limpid mixture of book and film Bond satisfying nothing. Will it give away too much if I say this is possibly my favourite of them all?

I am told the film XXX features a scene in which a tuxedoed secret agent is gunned down in a casino, apparently a jab at the gentlemanly James Bond style of agent. It has amused me ever since I heard of it because it seemed to me the filmmakers were taking a swing at a target that was not there. The Bond I go to see is a legendary figure; a hard, cool, skilled, and cunning killer, relentless as the infamous Terminator. I suppose he is a hero in the old sense, not someone to admire morally or look up to, but someone whose exploits you follow to be thrilled by. That is what I got to see – my preferred interpretation of the character.

Well, not quite. The film keeps the plot of the novel more closely than I expected, keeping much of its feel and general shape though almost all the details are different. Every scene before the casino is added, for example. For another, this Bond is already more jaded and inured to violence than his literary self so he can't learn quite the same lessons in this story. He has lost his meticulousness too, which I missed, replacing it with extra recklessness and a very morbid sense of humour (I think it would not be done justice to be called merely black).

The pacing during the final phase is a bit off, I think, and feels as if it is beginning to drag. This is a function of being faithful to the novel, however, and I suppose it helps that they added another action sequence at the end (this is the part where I have most reservations though). I suspect I may have been less disappointed by the slowing here than most since I expected it.

I mentioned already that all the scenes before the casino are new and for me they are welcome additions. If the film is not to be a period piece (I would not have minded in the slightest) the background plot does need to be updated (the Soviets are not the threat they once were) and what we get is certainly more entertaining on screen than memos being shuffled back and forth between MI6 departments.

The very beginning, where we see how Bond earned his 00 status, plus the style of the opening titles helps to reinforce my impression that the old series of Bond films has finished and this is the first of a new series. They also serve to reinforce the image of Daniel Craig's 007 as a vicious killer as do the rest of the added scenes.

I was struck during the first part of the film by the way it seems as if he is collecting the phones of everyone he kills, much as someone of an earlier age might cut off a token from the victim's body (or in Highlander where the Quickening, I believe, bestows the skills and experience of the defeated on the victor). Not only a sign of how times have changed, I found terribly amusing the thought that these are our souls now, a stored fragment of our personality to be snatched up upon death, studied and made use of to further the goals of our enemies.

The actor, Daniel Craig. Not much to say except this Bond does not seem good with facial expressions (unknown if it is actor or character). He does seem in better shape than other Bonds and I think his eyes are contacts but still – wow.

Later watched Cowboy Bebop, of which my sister had been given the first disc. Good show, if not terribly original. I look forward to seeing more of it. Shame the disc had some problems. And now I better go do some more work on Krakkaire (coincidence?).

I wish I could show you what I have seen I wish I could show you how wondrous things are. So I had better try harder.

Comments

[coniferous_you]

This sounds weird, but I enjoyed how well-written this was. You compelled me to read the whole post and I'm now considering seeing Casino Royale which would be a big thing as I am generally not a fan of James Bond's mostly-too-long-film-wise exploits.

I loved your analysis of cell phones. It kind of reminds me why I don't have one.

[aesmael.livejournal.com]

^_^ Thank you very much. When I was writing it I thought it might be too disjointed to be any good. And extra thanks about the cell phone bit - I'm a bit proud of the idea. I would not have one either if my family did not give me cast-offs.

If it matters at all, I usually find my attention wandering during Bond films despite considering myself a fan, but not this time. This may have been because I was busy comparing it against the original story.

[udonman.livejournal.com]

Ohh Cowboy Bebop Love that anime. I will have to go see Casino Royale as soon as I can its to bad we didnt go see it together love.

[aesmael.livejournal.com]

Yup, I was thinking as I watched it how much I wanted to lean over and rest my head with you. Cowboy Bebop I'm liking quite a bit, just wish the episodes were longer.

[lost-angelwings.livejournal.com]

I was thinking of watching Casino Royale cuz I love Bond, but only the older ones :( I was hoping that CR would go back to the older style, but it seems like it's more action oriented :(

XD I'm amused tha the takes the cell phones of ppl he kills tho! That SRSLY is like a token now. Everybody seems to have one and the type they have represents the type of person they are :O (supposedly) XD

[aesmael.livejournal.com]

I don't think it is more actiony than the last few. Maybe less, with stronger and less cartoony violence, but his actual struggle with the villain is tense mostly without violence.

(Yup yup, you said action I said violence. He is still much more athletic than old Bond I think)

[mantic-angel.livejournal.com]

"I suppose he is a hero in the old sense, not someone to admire morally or look up to, but someone whose exploits you follow to be thrilled by."

This feels like such an apt explanation of how Superman could be a 'hero' in his original incarnation.

"He has lost his meticulousness too"

Would rather enjoy seeing more of this in action in general.

Especially enjoyed idea of phones as being the equivalent of cutting off ears. :)