September 14 2006
Trailer Alert: Casino Royale
posted by Steven Shaw at 9:58 pm
Since it was announced that Daniel Craig (pictured) would play James Bond in the upcoming film Casino Royale, there’s been a hell of a fuss.
Websites have popped up, saying he’s not worthy and trying to scuttle his career. Accusations have been made that he couldn’t drive a stickshift and concerns have been raised about boy on boy onscreen kisses.
But let’s put this into context. We’ve endured Roger Moore (he’s the orange one) through seven films, from 1973’s Live and Let Die to 1985’s A View To A Kill. Before that we had the Aussie shitkicker George Lazenby, in 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. It could have been a terrific Bond flick if it wasn’t for the shitkicking. And that kilt. It was the kilt that put it right over the top for me.
No matter how many Bond films he does, Pierce Brosnan will always be Remington Steele, and like Roger Moore with The Saint, once you’ve done a light-hearted espionage spoof, how can we take you seriously? Moore filled all his Bond films with Carry-On style double takes and his raised eyebrow seemed to channel John Inman at times.
As for Timothy Dalton — he had something, but no-one’s sure exactly what. He did try to make Bond more gritty, and the franchise suffered because of it, with massive losses reported in the wake of 1989’s Licence To Kill.
We’re not saying this just to lead to another long-winded preach about Sean Connery being the best. According to Ian Fleming’s novels, Bond was a tough, battle-scarred ex-navy commander who knew how to slit a throat. He’d order a vodka martini, sure, but he’d just as soon slurp it from a hipflask as he’s laying in wait with a sniper’s rifle.
The upcoming (November) release of Casino Royale looks like it fits that bill. Darker and grittier than the norm, its attitude and tone may even be influenced by the Bourne Identity films. From the looks of the trailer, we’ll see what made this guy so cold. Forget Batman Begins , this is Bond Begins.
Check out the trailer and other features here.
September 15th, 2006 at 9:33 am
Looks fantastic!
For the record – I saw brosnan play a chilly IRA assassin in the Long Good Friday before I saw Remington Steele *& always knew he could do it.
Dalton was a good Bond, not great, but License to Kill really sucked chunks & would have sunk any actor.
September 15th, 2006 at 9:40 am
The Long Good Friday really is one of the greatest British mob flicks. Re Brosnan, I’ve always been plagued by the memories of Remington Steele’s blow-dried hair-do.
September 15th, 2006 at 10:44 am
It (Remington Steele) happened to be on some channel at a barber’s when I got my hair cut recently. It has not aged well.
But we never really saw enough of Stephanie Zimbalist in my opinion.
September 19th, 2006 at 11:19 am
Remington Steele was not an espionage spoof. Neiher was the Saint. So I don’t think you’ve really seen either to any extent it should influence any opinion on either actor.
The important thing though is that they are actors. Just like Connery who’s biggest role pre Bond was in Darby O’Gill & The Little People well – where he sang, battled leprachauns and fairies and his ears stuck out wider than his shoulders.
December 1st, 2006 at 10:49 am
No Q
Few gadgets
No big stunt opener
No silhouette girls in the opening credits
And not enough charm from Bond
Not Bond as we know and prefer him