I love, love, LOVE Casino Royale. It's my favourite Bond film followed by Skyfall and GoldenEye, another Martin Campbell-directed Bond film. It's one of those films where if it's playing on the tele and I happen to catch it I will sit down and watch through to the end. Campbell's direction is *chef's kiss*. Daniel Craig plays Bond so very well. Special mention goes to Eva Green who has such a great presence on the screen. She's.Just.Gorgeous. By far the best Bond girl - and best written and performed.
This was my first Blu-Ray too. Because of the black and white cold open, the animated titles and the green-heavy jungle scenes, it was not until the free-running scene I realised my PlayStation cables were incapable of outputting a blue component.
Although I like all the Bonds. I grew up with Moore too and he's my Bond. Surviving more on his wits than his brawn. Fantastic and funny review, your sense of humour never fails to land.
I always enjoy your reviews. The "Who discovered fire" joke made me spit-take my coffee. I love the references that most people won't get but are gold to those who do.
I remember in 2006, everyone was talking about that construction chase scene, when I finally saw it I was surprised it happened so early on, they made it sound like it was the climax
I loved this movie. The parkour scene perfectly sums up the character of James Bond. He was able to relentlessly keep up with a man far quicker and athletic than himself by compensating and balancing his own physicality with his far superior intelligence and wits. The bomber was running for his life, 007 was playing chess.
Quantum of Solace is the only one of Craig's films that is watchable. Skyfall is completely nonsensical. Spectre is just tedious. People commenting that they dislike Quantum of Solace are just victims whose heads exploded at the sight of a modern Bond film wherein the plot actually made sense.
i watched that last, of the Craig Bond films, because everyone seemed to think so little of it - couldn't believe it! it's fantastic! perfect follow up and counterpart to Casino Royale. i would even say a near perfect Bond film, a near perfect film, and i think even better than Skyfall. what i noticed with Quantum, you had to pay attention the whole time, very smart action film.
After a wonderful debut, Craig’s Bond films lurched from the woefully unfinished (Quantum of Solace), to the overrated (Skyfall) to the amazingly dull and self indulgent (No Time to Die).
The Blu Ray point is dead on. When the PS3 came out I had a 32inch Samsung HD (only 720) and this was the first big release on disc. I think almost everybody who got the PS3 at launch bought this movie
Did a silent yesssss, when Craig said "The Bitch Is Dead" which is the last line in the book. Also loved the fact they had the balls (geddit) to use the carpet beater torture scene, which I'm sure no other Bond actor would agree to - so kudos to Craig for going for it. Sadly Quantum would squander a very good diabolical plan (control the world's water supply, a topic very timely now) for a gruel thin narrative 0:07 sidetracked by a writers strike and an awful director who had no clue how to direct action and used manic seizure provoking editing to cover up this fact.
The initial trailer sold me totally on Daniel Craig, and I maintain that this is still Craig's best Bond film. For the first time since Connery, we had a believable Bond and not a clown. Those who objected to Craig's casting may not remember that the first person Ian Fleming suggested for the role was ... Hoagy Carmichael. Craig resembles Carmichael far more than than he does Cary Grant (whom Broccoli first considered). While I still maintain that Connery is the ultimate Bond, Craig comes close in my mind (and would be even higher if his films were better).
For the first time since Connery, we had a believable Bond and not a clown. - This is just not true at all. We had at least Timothy Dalton, and Brosnan was pretty serious at the start of his tenure.
@@igrok__1 True. In fact, you can consider Dalton to be a proto-Craig, but we weren't ready for him after a decade of Moore. I never really saw Brosnan as serious, except maybe a more serious version of Moore's approach. That didn't last long.
The chemistry between Craig and Eva Green just burns up the screen in this, and it's what makes the movie. Craig's Bond was never as good as this again because it's not really trying to do the Bond movie formula; it's a tale of a terrifyingly lethal thug who somehow falls head over heels in love and gets burned. That's interesting to see. I suppose it's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" again to some degree. From here on, they start gradually rolling out bits of the standard Bond movie mythos, and while some of that is done well (the Craig-era versions of Q and Moneypenny are entertaining), it also dilutes the appeal of Craig's character. By "Spectre" it all just starts to seem silly again, which doesn't fit well with Craig.
Great review. But I'm pretty sure the two rich dudes that think Bond is a valet are meant to be German, not French. Why else would Bond say 'guten abend' later on at the bar? Interesting how the criticism of DaD was that it was 'too bloated ' yet CR was the longest in the franchise till the last one. Personally found it a bit too long. Think it would have been better ending on a cliffhanger when Mr White shoots Le Chiffe . Then QoS could start with the Vespa betrayal and Venice scenes as the pre title sequence. Would bulk that film out a bit more and make it more relevant.
Quantum of Solace not as good as Casino Royale? That statement makes sense if you are talking about the one with Woody Allen. Q of Sol is nearly unwatchable
Well done on a good review. However, I have to pick you up on one thing. Your caption at the beginning, says mild spoilers, but I think you spoiled every plot point in the film. If anyone watching this hasn’t seen the film (unlikely) then there will be no surprises left.
This truly was the defibrillator the franchise needed (see what I did there) - it brought back a realism and grittiness and made Bond a multi-layered human being. It gave Bond a modern makeover that only added to the value while stripping away some of the now cringe baggage of the past.
OMG do the David Niven, Peter Sellars and Woody Allen Casino Royal :) PLEASE! I love that as much as I hate the darker more modern Bond films. So YES, THAT ONE.
My fave Bond film. Maybe tied with OHMSS. It led to two more that I really liked - Quantum and Skyfall - and two I think are amongst the worst big budget movies ever made - Spectre and No Time To Die. In fact, so much was my dislike of those last two, I’m kinda over Bond. Still, doesn’t change this one being great.
Craig had a pretty bad batting average. Two good movies (CR, Skyfall), two forgettable ones (Quantum, Spectre) and one terrible one (No Time To Rewrite). Wouldn’t be so bad if we got one every couple of years but this is over fifteen years!
I think Craigs tenure as Bond was fantastic. They took far more risks with Bond than at any other time in the whole of the franchise's history. For that I am so grateful. You'd have to go back to george lazenby to see Bond actually having some emotions about a love interest. We got an M actually die for crying out loud - an Mi6 under attack not just because some guy was planning on building some doomsday device that threatened the whole world. And an aging bond that was past his prime and a franchise that I felt actually matured. Will miss blue eyes.
The film is good but it isn't as compelling as the novel. In the book, Fleming was more concerned about how merciless fate is and finding meaning in a world that appears to be meaningless. The novel was very much a psychological journey. The movie is more about everything Vesper did to shape Bond.
I still haven't seen most of the Craig Bonds. It's Bourne without what makes Bourne interesting and Bond without what makes Bond fun. What's the point then?
@@americansupervillain4595 They were fun. Casino Royale, the NEW one, was not fun. Quantum of Solace was not fun. "But testicular torture!" I'll take Bambi and Thumper over that.
@@americansupervillain4595 Um, you are dead wrong. From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me, Dr.No light-years beyond tedious superheroe movies.
@@tskmaster3837 I don't dislike Craig Bond as much as you do but I could have done with a Bond that was more sure of his self. Craig's Bond brooded far too much.
Just look at the view count and the comment count on this video compared to Stam Fine's other videos, that will tell you how unpopular this awful movie is.
There is nothing more boring OR unglamorous than gambling - it's seedy, run by criminals and frequented by addicts - Fleming tried to glamorise it - was he a gambler? I don't know, but watching people play cards is bloody tedious.
I thought the hook, and opening credits for that film were just the best in decades. Proper Bond stuff.
This is the only Bond where I read the novel before seeing the film, and I was not disappointed by the adaptation. It's still my favourite Bond movie.
I love, love, LOVE Casino Royale. It's my favourite Bond film followed by Skyfall and GoldenEye, another Martin Campbell-directed Bond film. It's one of those films where if it's playing on the tele and I happen to catch it I will sit down and watch through to the end. Campbell's direction is *chef's kiss*. Daniel Craig plays Bond so very well. Special mention goes to Eva Green who has such a great presence on the screen. She's.Just.Gorgeous. By far the best Bond girl - and best written and performed.
The idea of Bond playing Magic the Gathering in high stakes casino is something I NEED to see.
Do you expect me to swampwalk? No Mr Bond, I expect you to scry!
Ever see Mitchell and Webb's take on that? The super-spy has to play high-stakes "guess the number of beans in the jar" and "frappez le rat".
Craig and Dench were perfect. Loved this Casino Royale and the follow-ups.
The best thing about Bond movies, Stam Fine videos.
This was my first Blu-Ray too. Because of the black and white cold open, the animated titles and the green-heavy jungle scenes, it was not until the free-running scene I realised my PlayStation cables were incapable of outputting a blue component.
Although I like all the Bonds. I grew up with Moore too and he's my Bond. Surviving more on his wits than his brawn. Fantastic and funny review, your sense of humour never fails to land.
I always enjoy your reviews. The "Who discovered fire" joke made me spit-take my coffee. I love the references that most people won't get but are gold to those who do.
I remember in 2006, everyone was talking about that construction chase scene, when I finally saw it I was surprised it happened so early on, they made it sound like it was the climax
I loved this movie. The parkour scene perfectly sums up the character of James Bond. He was able to relentlessly keep up with a man far quicker and athletic than himself by compensating and balancing his own physicality with his far superior intelligence and wits. The bomber was running for his life, 007 was playing chess.
The level of humor have hit a new high. Great episode.
I love the theme song and opening titles to this one.
Great jokes as always! I try to watch all of them, even if I haven't seen the movie show (which is almost all of them)
I look forward to you doing the rest of Daniel Craig's Bond films. Absolutely love your reviews, you have my sense of humor. :)
I do just like looking at the 1967 Casino Royale!
It just looks nice, even if it doesn't have parkour or Magic the Gathering....
The 15 flip car roll in the third act is still one of the best car stunts on film .
you mean most over the top...
I thought I saw the Padishah Emperor Shaddam the Fourth. I DID I DID (Giancarlo Giannini)!!
am i the only one who likes quantum of solace?
it had the best scheme
Quantum of Solace is the only one of Craig's films that is watchable. Skyfall is completely nonsensical. Spectre is just tedious. People commenting that they dislike Quantum of Solace are just victims whose heads exploded at the sight of a modern Bond film wherein the plot actually made sense.
i watched that last, of the Craig Bond films, because everyone seemed to think so little of it - couldn't believe it! it's fantastic! perfect follow up and counterpart to Casino Royale. i would even say a near perfect Bond film, a near perfect film, and i think even better than Skyfall. what i noticed with Quantum, you had to pay attention the whole time, very smart action film.
What format/decks do they play in "The Die with the Golden Kill"?
Viewmaster
@@StamFine A Viewmaster To A Golden Kill?
After a wonderful debut, Craig’s Bond films lurched from the woefully unfinished (Quantum of Solace), to the overrated (Skyfall) to the amazingly dull and self indulgent (No Time to Die).
You forgot the forgettable one...uh...hang on...I know there was another one. Oh well, at least No Time to Die had Christoph Waltz as Bond's brother.
I like Skyfall but it blew it with that weak finale. Home Alone meets Bond.
they are all terrible! ruined his career
That sums up most Bond movies
The Blu Ray point is dead on. When the PS3 came out I had a 32inch Samsung HD (only 720) and this was the first big release on disc. I think almost everybody who got the PS3 at launch bought this movie
It was a bit of a shock to see Bond driving a Ford Mondeo in this movie. I’m afraid it made me laugh out loud in the cinema.
Gave it a thumb's up with out even watching it yet.
Did a silent yesssss, when Craig said "The Bitch Is Dead" which is the last line in the book. Also loved the fact they had the balls (geddit) to use the carpet beater torture scene, which I'm sure no other Bond actor would agree to - so kudos to Craig for going for it. Sadly Quantum would squander a very good diabolical plan (control the world's water supply, a topic very timely now) for a gruel thin narrative 0:07 sidetracked by a writers strike and an awful director who had no clue how to direct action and used manic seizure provoking editing to cover up this fact.
Would that be a bordeaux collie? Thanks, I'm here all week, try the fish, it's great.
I always consider Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace to be the best four hour James Bond film ever made.
Casino is doing a *lot* of the heavy lifting there, both in establishing the characters and stakes, and in overall cinematography and polish.
Daniel Craig's first and only good Bond film...he looked bored in the other movies...but I could watch Judi Dench all day..
I love the ‘67 version.
If only for the "Aye. 'Tis a hairloom" joke.
The level of hate Craig received for being blonde was cringeworthy and that was with no Twitter. So ridiculous. I pity the new guy
This is a good film but it’s a bit slow for me. If it wasn’t for Eva Green in that dress I’d never have got through the 45 minutes of poker.
Glad you called out Layer Cake
Bond. Bond Bond.
The initial trailer sold me totally on Daniel Craig, and I maintain that this is still Craig's best Bond film. For the first time since Connery, we had a believable Bond and not a clown.
Those who objected to Craig's casting may not remember that the first person Ian Fleming suggested for the role was ... Hoagy Carmichael. Craig resembles Carmichael far more than than he does Cary Grant (whom Broccoli first considered). While I still maintain that Connery is the ultimate Bond, Craig comes close in my mind (and would be even higher if his films were better).
For the first time since Connery, we had a believable Bond and not a clown. - This is just not true at all. We had at least Timothy Dalton, and Brosnan was pretty serious at the start of his tenure.
Not to mention Fleming's description of Bond as a 'blunt' instrument. Craig and Connery all the way for me got time for Dalton too!
@@igrok__1 True. In fact, you can consider Dalton to be a proto-Craig, but we weren't ready for him after a decade of Moore. I never really saw Brosnan as serious, except maybe a more serious version of Moore's approach. That didn't last long.
re: the prototype jetliner:
And people complained the plot of the The Living Daylights was too complex!
I love the Craig era.
I love all James Bond movies
The chemistry between Craig and Eva Green just burns up the screen in this, and it's what makes the movie. Craig's Bond was never as good as this again because it's not really trying to do the Bond movie formula; it's a tale of a terrifyingly lethal thug who somehow falls head over heels in love and gets burned. That's interesting to see. I suppose it's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" again to some degree. From here on, they start gradually rolling out bits of the standard Bond movie mythos, and while some of that is done well (the Craig-era versions of Q and Moneypenny are entertaining), it also dilutes the appeal of Craig's character. By "Spectre" it all just starts to seem silly again, which doesn't fit well with Craig.
My favourite bond film ever
Great review. But I'm pretty sure the two rich dudes that think Bond is a valet are meant to be German, not French. Why else would Bond say 'guten abend' later on at the bar?
Interesting how the criticism of DaD was that it was 'too bloated ' yet CR was the longest in the franchise till the last one.
Personally found it a bit too long. Think it would have been better ending on a cliffhanger when Mr White shoots Le Chiffe . Then QoS could start with the Vespa betrayal and Venice scenes as the pre title sequence. Would bulk that film out a bit more and make it more relevant.
Quantum of Solace not as good as Casino Royale? That statement makes sense if you are talking about the one with Woody Allen.
Q of Sol is nearly unwatchable
"Nearly?"
Dude, there's 255 cuts in a four minute stretch, averaging a cut every 22.5 frames, ain't nobody watching that!
Sliders Royale
Craig Fingersuck has entered the conversation.
Well done on a good review.
However, I have to pick you up on one thing. Your caption at the beginning, says mild spoilers, but I think you spoiled every plot point in the film.
If anyone watching this hasn’t seen the film (unlikely) then there will be no surprises left.
The only good Bond film, especially with its sequels resembling Austin Powers scripts.
This truly was the defibrillator the franchise needed (see what I did there) - it brought back a realism and grittiness and made Bond a multi-layered human being. It gave Bond a modern makeover that only added to the value while stripping away some of the now cringe baggage of the past.
always just $
Come On Pal
I’ve slowly come to think that it’s actually the best Bond film, unfortunately they went downhill rapidly after that.
0:45 "The only film that they had not yet adapted into a movie" - Guessing this was a scripting error, darn ChatGPT...
ChatGPT would have picked that up. Human error, but then there's a lot of that going around.
OMG do the David Niven, Peter Sellars and Woody Allen Casino Royal :) PLEASE! I love that as much as I hate the darker more modern Bond films. So YES, THAT ONE.
James Bond? More like Brooke Bond ☕😄
Thanks god they chose Craig not Cavill
Sadly Craig peaked in his first film.
That’s usually the case
@@TreborPaulsonnot for Connery or brosnan
Il say Skyfall
He was still great in Quantum of Solace!
@@yulejbaylock103yes, 'Skyfall' was the best of the Craig Bonds, and kept the tradtion of each Bond actor's 3rd film as their best.
"...besides, the only people who wear tuxedos in casinos - are magicians!
BILL MAHER, _Real Time with Bill Maher_ HBO (2005)
SECOND!
My fave Bond film. Maybe tied with OHMSS. It led to two more that I really liked - Quantum and Skyfall - and two I think are amongst the worst big budget movies ever made - Spectre and No Time To Die.
In fact, so much was my dislike of those last two, I’m kinda over Bond. Still, doesn’t change this one being great.
Craig had a pretty bad batting average. Two good movies (CR, Skyfall), two forgettable ones (Quantum, Spectre) and one terrible one (No Time To Rewrite). Wouldn’t be so bad if we got one every couple of years but this is over fifteen years!
Is it just me, or does the main villain of this piece bear more than a passing resemblance to Elon Musk?
I think Craigs tenure as Bond was fantastic. They took far more risks with Bond than at any other time in the whole of the franchise's history. For that I am so grateful. You'd have to go back to george lazenby to see Bond actually having some emotions about a love interest. We got an M actually die for crying out loud - an Mi6 under attack not just because some guy was planning on building some doomsday device that threatened the whole world. And an aging bond that was past his prime and a franchise that I felt actually matured. Will miss blue eyes.
Forgot that sket Eva Green in this 0 stars!
I won't watch anything after ... this movie. No apology.
Mostly dislike the Craig era, but thank god Cavill wasn't cast
The film is good but it isn't as compelling as the novel. In the book, Fleming was more concerned about how merciless fate is and finding meaning in a world that appears to be meaningless. The novel was very much a psychological journey. The movie is more about everything Vesper did to shape Bond.
Roger Moore was blond, wasn't he? And Daniel Craig looks like Steve McQueen, IMNSHO.
I still haven't seen most of the Craig Bonds. It's Bourne without what makes Bourne interesting and Bond without what makes Bond fun.
What's the point then?
@tskmaster3837 The Craig Bond movies are the best of the Bond movies, but Bond movies were never that good, just ok. IMO
@@americansupervillain4595 They were fun. Casino Royale, the NEW one, was not fun. Quantum of Solace was not fun.
"But testicular torture!" I'll take Bambi and Thumper over that.
@@americansupervillain4595
Um, you are dead wrong. From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The Spy Who Loved Me, Dr.No light-years beyond tedious superheroe movies.
@@tskmaster3837
I don't dislike Craig Bond as much as you do but I could have done with a Bond that was more sure of his self. Craig's Bond brooded far too much.
Yes - an alcoholic, government sanctioned, assassin whom everyone he's ever loved ends up dying - sure sounds like a recipe for a 'fun' character.
Have u ever heard about.... Sardar udham.... Movie????
Just look at the view count and the comment count on this video compared to Stam Fine's other videos, that will tell you how unpopular this awful movie is.
There is nothing more boring OR unglamorous than gambling - it's seedy, run by criminals and frequented by addicts - Fleming tried to glamorise it - was he a gambler? I don't know, but watching people play cards is bloody tedious.
James Bond playing Magic The Gathering Might Pogs be funnier though🤔?