Casino Royale (2006)
If I wouldn’t have picked The Departed already, it would have landed here. However, I am pretty stoked to include this film in my list of The Forty Fabulous Films of the Decade.
This is actually the third adaptation of Ian Fleming’s novel of the same name. It originally aired as a television episode in 1954 and it was made into a satirical film in 1967. Although I haven’t seen either of the previous films, I truly enjoyed this one, although I must admit I am not a James Bond aficionado. In fact, I hate to say it but I’ve never seen a Connery Bond film.
There were many Bonds geeks who were outraged when Daniel Craig was cast as the new James Bond. After seeing the film, I can’t help but think they worried for nothing. Craig pretty much nailed this role. He is charming, brooding, witty, and just the right mix of bad-ass and sexy (according to my wife).
I guess I should mention something of the plot. The story takes place early in 007’s career. In fact, he is earning his “license to kill” in this film. Bond’s mission in this film is to keep Le Chiffre, a banker for the world’s most dangerous terrorist organization, from winning an extremely high-stakes poker tournament. Sounds easy enough, but the film is almost two and a half hours and it seems like a mere hour. Naturally there is a love interest, and this sets up the sequel, Quantam of Solace (which may be the worst titled film of the decade).
While many may think Star Trek is the obvious choice for this category, I’ll admit I have never seen any Star Trek movie. So there you have it, even if you don’t like it.
If I wouldn’t have picked The Departed already, it would have landed here. However, I am pretty stoked to include this film in my list of The Forty Fabulous Films of the Decade.
This is actually the third adaptation of Ian Fleming’s novel of the same name. It originally aired as a television episode in 1954 and it was made into a satirical film in 1967. Although I haven’t seen either of the previous films, I truly enjoyed this one, although I must admit I am not a James Bond aficionado. In fact, I hate to say it but I’ve never seen a Connery Bond film.
There were many Bonds geeks who were outraged when Daniel Craig was cast as the new James Bond. After seeing the film, I can’t help but think they worried for nothing. Craig pretty much nailed this role. He is charming, brooding, witty, and just the right mix of bad-ass and sexy (according to my wife).
I guess I should mention something of the plot. The story takes place early in 007’s career. In fact, he is earning his “license to kill” in this film. Bond’s mission in this film is to keep Le Chiffre, a banker for the world’s most dangerous terrorist organization, from winning an extremely high-stakes poker tournament. Sounds easy enough, but the film is almost two and a half hours and it seems like a mere hour. Naturally there is a love interest, and this sets up the sequel, Quantam of Solace (which may be the worst titled film of the decade).
While many may think Star Trek is the obvious choice for this category, I’ll admit I have never seen any Star Trek movie. So there you have it, even if you don’t like it.
I love Casino Royale - but what about Ocean's Eleven?!?! :)
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