Been looking forward to seeing Casino Royale, and Friday’s viewing did not disappoint. The most stunning scene is the one right after the opening titles. I had noticed the credit for “free running stunts” and wondered why that kind of stunt, especially, earned beginning of the film mention. Then I saw the scene and wondered no longer.
The just-faster-than-possibly-human pace of the chase has you gasping, and the combination of obstacles (especially vertical) flows together in a plausible stream. (Plausible in movie terms, at least.)
Overall, a new movie Bond that more accurately reflects the ruthless Bond of the books. Casino Royale was Ian Fleming’s first Bond novel, back in 1953, so it’s only fitting that this film harks back to the core of the character. Still, it’s modern throughout… even though the opening, pre-titles, scene takes place in black and white, it’s set in the Czech Republic, not the Czechoslovakia of the 1950s.
The lead villian, Le Chiffre, fills less screen time here, as the “Bond girl” demands more of the film than we’ve come to expect. Since Le Chiffre didn’t shine, no damage done to the movie.
Metacritic score of 80 is justified. I want to re-read the early Bond novels now.