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Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that teens are absolutely going to want to see this much-hyped re-start to the James Bond franchise. The new 007, however, is darker than previous incarnations. His sly, barely perceptible smile suggests that he relishes revenge and takes pleasure in his violence. The film is full of violence, including spectacular explosions, intense physical fights, shooting, knifing, cars crashing, and drowning. Dead bodies show blood and vacant-eyed faces. A torture scene (featuring a naked Bond) shows him in obvious pain as his genitals are smashed with a large, knotted rope. One main character meets a sad demise. Sex scenes show Bond with two different women, in various states of undress. Lots of martini-drinking as Bond discovers his drink of choice (thanks to liquor sponsors Heineken and Smirnoff). The language is pretty mild.
Families can talk about what makes Bond so appealing. What does his behavior say about images of manliness? How does the movie characterize this new Bond as both ruthless and charismatic? Who's your favorite Bond?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Cynthia Fuchs
The new James Bond's blue eyes are underscored right at the start of CASINO ROYALE. As the opening credits (and Chris Cornell's song "You Know My Name") end, Daniel Craig walks to the camera and stares into it dead-on. Ruggedly handsome and utterly confident, he's almost daring you to resist his difference from previous 007 incarnations.
But once the movie starts, you see that this difference doesn't extend to plot, characters, or rhythms. Director Martin Campbell's movie, like its predecessors, showcases fabulous locations (the Bahamas, Venice, London, Montenegro); a dastardly, damaged villain (Le Chiffre, played by Mads Mikkelsen, complete with facial scar and an eye that weeps blood); and a beautiful, brainy Bond Girl, Vesper Lynd (Eva Green).
The story takes viewers back to Bond's beginnings, when M (Judi Dench) elevates him to the extra-special rank of 007 (a promotion occasioned by the killing of his second bad guy, an act he commits with visible, if cold, pleasure). Bond's early 007 adventures involve all manner of brutality and rule-breaking, as he fixes on his targets with unshakable ferocity. First he chases one man through the "Nambutu Embassy" in Madagascar, wreaking havoc and, as M puts it, violating "the only inviolate rule of international relations." Later, he beds a villain's wife (Caterina Murino) to extract information, leaving her open to terrible retribution. And then he destroys much of the Miami Airport in order to stop a bomb's explosion.
All of this is warm-up for the big showdown with Le Chiffre, which centers around a high-stakes poker game (in the Ian Fleming novel the movie is based on, the game was baccarat). Here Bond is aided by the stunningly beautiful Vesper (a British treasury operative), earnest CIA agent Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright), and dapper MI6 agent Mathis (Giancarlo Giannini), though Bond gets impatient when they cramp his style. (A smart, telling moment has Vesper providing Bond with a tailored tux, which he dons and admires in the mirror, as if realizing just how brilliant he looks.) This Bond is cunning and even elegant, providing the franchise with a much-needed shot of raw energy.
But although the details are right, the movie is bogged down by the plot, which spends too much time on the poker game and a montage sequence version of Bond and Vesper's inevitable romance. Such generic diversions detract from Craig's strengths, which are based in deft gestures, nuanced glances, and the deadpan delivery of the occasional joke. (Asked whether he wants his martini shaken or stirred, Bond looks annoyed: "Do I look like I give a damn?") This Bond -- fast, mean, and vulnerable enough to appeal to a new generation of fans -- will likely revive the franchise. By the time of the next installment, perhaps the script will keep up with him.
Families who like the movie can also check out the 1967 version, or other Bond films -- especially those with Sean Connery, like Goldfinger and Dr. No. Or try Layer Cake, in which Craig plays an edgy gangster.
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Sexual ContentBond beds two different women (all three characters show nude legs and arms while kissing and embracing passionately on beds and floors); Bond is naked for a torture session (you see everything but full frontal); joke about an undercover name for Vesper ("Miss Stephanie Broadchest"). |
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ViolenceLots of stunts, per usual in Bond movies: animated opening credits sequence features shooting, stabbing, and falling, with bright red splotches for blood; film includes explosions by bombs, grenades, and missiles; car chases and flips; leaps on and off building scaffolding; corpse wrapped in a hammock; Bond's face and body are cut and bleeding repeatedly; bloody results from frequent shooting, knifing, and punching; poisoned, Bond sweats and gasps, nearly dying; a long, sad drowning sequence; fight scenes feature kicking, punching, falling/throwing bodies down stairs; one villain wields a sword; Bond is tortured by a villain whomping his genitals with a knotted rope. |
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LanguageMild language, including "Jesus Christ," repeated use of "hell" by M (i.e., "What the hell is Bond doing!?"), and "ass." |
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Social BehaviorVillains are ruthlessly efficient and lethal in pursuit of money and power; Bond is also brutal, darkly pleased to best his opponents. |
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CommercialismThe usual upscale Bond paraphernalia: Liquor tie-ins include Heineken and Smirnoff Vodka, goodies include Aston Martin, Jaguar, Sony Vaio, Sony Ericsson, Omega watch, Bodyworld Museum exhibit; Virgin Atlantic airline (including airport cameo by owner Richard Branson); Coca-Cola. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoMuch drinking (champagne, martinis, brandy, Scotch) and oh yes, those liquor sponsored placements...) |
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