Casino Royale [Blu-ray]

Genre : DVD ( Blu-ray )
Release : 2007/03/13
Price : $17.49

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The most successful invigoration of a cinematic franchise since Batman Begins, Casino Royale offers a new Bond identity. Based on the Ian Fleming novel that introduced Agent 007 into a Cold War world, Casino Royale is the most brutal and viscerally exciting James Bond film since Sean Connery left Her Majesty's Secret Service. Meet the new Bond; not the same as the old Bond. Daniel Craig gives a galvanizing performance as the freshly minted double-0 agent. Suave, yes, but also a "blunt instrument," reckless, and possessed with an ego that compromises his judgment during his first mission to root out the mastermind behind an operation that funds international terrorists. In classic Bond film tradition, his global itinerary takes him to far-flung locales, including Uganda, Madagascar, the Bahamas (that's more like it), and Montenegro, where he is pitted against his nemesis in a poker game, with hundreds of millions in the pot. The stakes get even higher when Bond lets down his "armor" and falls in love with Vesper (Eva Green), the ravishing banker's representative fronting him the money.

For longtime fans of the franchise, Casino Royale offers some retro kicks. Bond wins his iconic Astin-Martin at the gaming table, and when a bartender asks if he wants his martini "shaken or stirred," he disdainfully replies, "Do I look like I give a damn?" There's no Moneypenny or "Q," but Dame Judi Dench is back as the exasperated M, who one senses, admires Bond's "bloody cheek." A Bond film is only as good as its villain, and Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre, who weeps blood, is a sinister dandy. From its punishing violence and virtuoso action sequences to its romance, Casino Royale is a Bond film that, in the words of one character, makes you feel it, particularly during an excruciating torture sequence. Double-0s, Bond observes early on, "have a short life expectancy." But with Craig, there is new life in the old franchise yet, as well as genuine anticipation for the next one when, at last, the signature James Bond theme kicks in following the best last line ever in any Bond film. To quote Goldie Hawn in Private Benjamin, now I know what I've been faking all these years. --Donald Liebenson

Stills from Casino Royale (click for larger image)

Beyond Casino Royale on Amazon.com

On Blu-ray	CD Soundtrack	Why We Love Daniel Craig
The Amazon.com James Bond Store	Where Have I Seen Daniel Craig?	Bond on Set: Filming Casino Royale Book

I liked the movie and the action and of course the poker game,however What is up with the end? I know it's a bond film so anything goes as far as plots and twists,but I hated the ending other than that I really enjoyed the movie.

This is as good as a Bond dvd set can get. Not only is Casino Royale the best James Bond movie ever, but the action scenes make for fantastic behind the scenes special features. You also get tons of interviews and even two audio commentaries to go along with the feature film. Lots of insight into the lure of James Bond.

I have to admit that I have seen every James Bond movie. I used to watch the marathons on TBS during summer vacation when I was in elementary school. (Marathons also watched include...Elvis musicals and Frankie Avalon beach movies.) Casino Royale has changed the texture of the Bond genre. Gone are the tired cliches of the classic James bond movies, we now get to see a little bit into the mind of James Bond (He has a mind?) and begin to understand his motivations. I have to applaud the film makers in picking this particular book as a platform for the new James Bond, Daniel Craig, it allows Bond to start over in film and in person.

I have read the book, and while the film is different, I didn't like it any less. Daniel Craig brings a realness to James Bond that hasn't been seen for a long time. It was great to see all of the cheesiness removed and a physically fit and young guy play the lead! I highly recommend this film to all Bond and non-Bond fans.

Amazing version of Casino Royale , i am a big home theater buff and this one is the better version of the 2 since it includes Dolby Digital true HD track instead of the other version PCM multichannel sound.It also include a bonus disc , this movie is awesome prepare to test your home theather and be dazzled by an amazing story , WAY better than the second one (QUANTUM OF CRAP) , which i don't like and will never buy...

"Bond. James Bond."

With that introduction, you expect a good adventure thriller. In Casino Royale, we are introduced to yet another actor attempting to replace Sean Connery. In this, Daniel Craig fails. However, Daniel Craig does develop his own character, an early 007 in today's world.

He's not a funny, witty man. And in this version. he is successful because he doesn't try to be a witty, funny 00.

And that ending? You knew life was just too good to last, didn't you?