Let me start by saying, I have never really got the whole “James Bond” thing. Apart from a mild attraction to Sean Connery, I never found the Bond genre something I was interested in. As an ambitious career driven woman, the sexist comments and inadequate female role model characters were just one of the many reasons to stay well clear of Mr Bond.
So when the new James Bond film came out, I was one of the few who stayed away. Recently, a female work colleague I admire, prompted me to look at the new Bond and give Mr Bond another chance. So I reluctantly hired the new release Casino Royale DVD.
The new Bond was certainly more interesting and complex as we see him develop from agent to 00 status. He surprisingly appeared to be challenged by the smart and intelligent female counterpart of Vespa Lynn. Yes the new Bond predictably falls in love with this smart, intelligent (implied because she is an accountant) yet beautiful women. Predictably again, she betrays him and I guess this is used as an explanation as to why in the future Bond does not trust anyone (and treats women with disdain). Pity, I liked seeing the vunerable James very much.
The new Bond is gritty and there are less gimmicks and gadgets yet this was part of its charm and made the movie seem more up to date and modern. The poker game was lost on me as I don’t play poker but what do you expect when the film is called Casino Royale.
So, will I be tempted to see the next Daniel Craig Bond outing? Well maybe. It was better than i expected and probably worth another look, but if the next one reverts back to one dimensional female characters, then i’m afraid James will loose me forever.
Casino Royale
Director : Martin Cambell
Released : Dec 2006
Rating: 3 stars
Hi Maria,
I liked Casino Royale - it was the most real Bond movie since the Sean Connery days, but the acting was better. No lasers in watches, or sonic belt buckles, or unrealistic garottage, or any of the other things that have plagued most Bond movies in living memory.
The female characters are a bit cardboard - this is in the old-fashioned mold of B-movie heroic fantasy - I think that things are slowly changing (thinking of how M threatening to have Bond shot might be a sign that stronger women are ahead).
Good to see you blogging - welcome to the bloggerati
Best regards, Andrew
Predictably again, she betrays him and I guess this is used as an explanation as to why in the future Bond does not trust anyone (and treats women with disdain). Pity, I liked seeing the vunerable James very much.
PREDICTABLY? Since when has a Bond Girl who wasn’t a villain, “betrayed” Bond? And as I recalled, he has been betrayed by male characters as well. Good grief!
The female characters are a bit cardboard - this is in the old-fashioned mold of B-movie heroic fantasy . . .
What the fuck????
I take your point that the genre is very B grade and it’s meant to be fun. I just would like the female roles to be less “cardboard” and have more depth. I just find the Bond idea that “women will break your heart and can’t be trusted” is just wearing a bit thin in this day and age.
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