1. That torture scene is off the hook. Even if you've read the book, it is going to shock you how far they go, because this is a film for kids right? Awwwwwwwwww ****! It's not disturbing for children because my friend brought along his 12 year old daughter (well 12 next week) but you can REALLY feel it guys. And since Austin Powers exposed the stupidity of elaborate traps which Bond will ALWAYS escape, you have automatic apprehensions at the beginning (just like ANY montage sequence after watching Team America), but as soon as Le Chiffre says he hates over elaborate torture sequences it's a sign to say that we're being taken elsewhere. That is THE most gruesome of the tortures in ANY Bond flick and Daniel Craig was OFF THE HOOK. I swear to you his reactions were so intense, and his responses? Oh man. That is why I keep mentioning Tarantino, because that scene is on some serious '**** what you're used to' ****. All this and I'm still not saying he is a perfect Bond, but I am saying he is F***ing awesome and he brings HIS OWN X factor the franchise (which I never really knew he had before this flick). And you are absolutely prepared to follow him until he acquires his Bond-ness. Because you want more at the films close. You want another one. Wait and see. BTW I am not even a Layer Cake fan. I never saw what the fuss was about. But Casino Royale? I'll start the friggin' fuss!!!
2. The opening sequence, you can tell had to be finished/rendered or whatever but it is brilliant. It's all to do with cards, and there is a red diamond that the whole sequence follows. Imagine the back of a playing card, with the woven like pattern, it's all that kinda stuff. It has girl sillouhette's and all the usual Bond stuff. You are gonna dig it... BUT the song is trash. It is straight up rubbish. Not disgusting, but a Bond song has to have a certain grandeur and pazazz to it. This tries hard but doesn't hit the mark at all. I think it's too late to change so i didn't mention it until i was asked by Barbara Broccoli, and I told them that it aint a memorable joint at all. It's not as bad as Madonna's, but bad enough that no one at my table liked it... AND I LOVE A GOOD BOND THEME, including Sheryl Crow's joint.
Bond songs are a weird thing. They are so synonymous with the flick that everyone discusses them before the film is released. When last have you heard people talk about a films opening title song after the flicks over? Never. You just go home and hump your girl... or your hand. Bond films are the only flicks to have that importance in an opening song. That's why you HAVE to get them right. I will forgive Die Another Day, because as bad as the song was, it wasn't as bad as the movie. No way! And on paper I would've thought Madonna would deliver. She gave a great song to the Bond spoof (Beautiful Stranger) and a bad one to the real mckoy. I'll slap the Guy Ritchie outta her for that sonic abuse.
For any other questions my brothers, you can catch me over at AINTITCOOL. Sorry folks, that site is my weapon of choice. Been there since '98.
