Let's hope the next film puts Bond back on track

Rating: 9/10 (15 December 2007)

When I first saw the trailer, I was mesmerised. The film seemed to breathe new life into the franchise and take it into an exciting direction. While for me Brosnan exemplified Bond in terms of suavity, humour and self-confidence, the films degenerated into self-parody, particularly the last Brosnan outing. While I admit I love Casino Royale, I'm beginning to believe as a Bond film it is over-hyped. Of course this film which I've seen an half-dozen times already shakes (pardon the pun) the Bond franchise up which is why I was quickly taken over by it. However, I would submit that it was more because of the novelty rather than appreciation for what it is threatening to do with Bond that influenced me. Let me make the analogy: I loved Batman as a kid and had an impressive collection. I was deeply influenced by The Dark Knight Returns because it turns the myth on its head (the forward to my leather-bound edition had a preface by Alan Moore dissecting myths such as Bond, who he describes as one with "a contempt and hatred for women.)" I don't accept this as part of the 'canon.' I would never have wanted Batman to become this neo-fascist vigilante, or want Superman to be little more than a covert terror weapon for the US. But I enjoyed it for the novelty sake. Just as I enjoy showing my history class "Red Son" where Superman grows up in the USSR and works for the man of steel- Stalin. So it is for Casino Royale. Daniel Craig is not the Bond I grew up wanting to be. Possibly he's a more fleshed-out representation of the Bond in Fleming's first book, but he lacks his background, social class (VERY important for Fleming), and patriotism. This 'Bond' is completely cynical. One would not have believed him to be bi or trilingual with a Swiss mother and educated in the most posh environment of England. What he gets out of his job is a mystery. He lacks humour, sophistication, class. He is not even a 'commander' anymore, but one who has the usual American-influenced SAS background. In other words, there is little 'English' about him. I don't blame the director, scriptwriter or producer who I think all did an admirable job of making a film I will see again and again and will look forward to the sequel. But looking at the type of films coming out of Britain, this is influenced by edgy, remorseless films such as "London to Brighton. and even, yes, "Layer Cake." No doubt he will somehow be transformed over time into the character we associate with Bond. However, if we our natures are formed by the time we are five, I fail to see how he'll pick up chicks with a one-liner, know the best wine to drink with caviare, and think to straighten his tie when speeding underwater in a Q-protoboat. And none of that will change the sins committed with completely disregarding continuity. As I liked with comic books, a box would explain background by saying "see issue 172, printed back 13 years ago") Let's hope it's business as usual in the next instalment. England expects, James. www.tracesofevil.blogspot.com