It's Christmas Eve...And All I Can Think About Is James Bond
I went to go see Casino Royale last night.
I'll admit it. I was one of those people that was less than enthusiastic about Daniel Craig being chosen to play James Bond in the remake. To be clear, I was not bothered by his blond hair like the cornballs who actually took time to set up websites vociferously proclaiming, "Daniel Craig sucks. He's blond and only 5'11"! James Bond only has dark hair and is six feet tall. Let's boycott the film!" Sure, that's what Ian Fleming said Bond should look like...but this is 2006. To me, the producers could have put any actor from any ethnicity into the role and I wouldn't have had a problem.
So why my lack of enthusiasm? You're going to think this really mean of me but...well, when I saw pictures of him, I couldn't help but think that this guy was, to be quite frank, ugly as sin. He was not the image of a smooth, suave, handsome guy who just happens to be a secret agent. I didn't want James Bond, the subject of countless fantasies, to have a face only a mother could love. I thought they should cast him as the villain in the movie, not as Bond.
Last night, I was ready for the 10:55 pm showing of Casino Royale. Ensconced in my comfy seat at The Grove Theatre, munching on Red Vines and drinking a green tea, I was prepared for the usual Bond fare, you know, gadgets, guns and girls. However, thirty minutes into Casino Royale, it became clear that Daniel Craig is a new Bond.
This Bond is, first and foremost, a cold-blooded killer/secret agent. Accordingly, Craig really brings a rugged athleticism to the role. We haven't seen Bond whup ass like this in years. Thankfully, he only uses the girls and gadgets sparingly to get what he wants. All that was great. Fantastic. Fabulous. But the most shocking surprise of the cinematic experience was when I found myself thinking, thirty minutes into the film, "He's hot." And then, "Damn, he's really hot."
What? How did I go from thinking Daniel Craig is completely unattractive to...being a bit infatuated with him? I'm still trying to figure out this change of heart. What did it? Was it the strength of the writing? Craig's acting ability? The eye-candy worthy scene of him walking on the beach? Was it the way Craig actually used his acting abilities and made the character emotive instead of merely a cliche? Or was it the way this Bond is clearly not relying on his looks to accomplish his mission?
If you've seen it, did you have the same experience?
I'll admit it. I was one of those people that was less than enthusiastic about Daniel Craig being chosen to play James Bond in the remake. To be clear, I was not bothered by his blond hair like the cornballs who actually took time to set up websites vociferously proclaiming, "Daniel Craig sucks. He's blond and only 5'11"! James Bond only has dark hair and is six feet tall. Let's boycott the film!" Sure, that's what Ian Fleming said Bond should look like...but this is 2006. To me, the producers could have put any actor from any ethnicity into the role and I wouldn't have had a problem.
So why my lack of enthusiasm? You're going to think this really mean of me but...well, when I saw pictures of him, I couldn't help but think that this guy was, to be quite frank, ugly as sin. He was not the image of a smooth, suave, handsome guy who just happens to be a secret agent. I didn't want James Bond, the subject of countless fantasies, to have a face only a mother could love. I thought they should cast him as the villain in the movie, not as Bond.
Last night, I was ready for the 10:55 pm showing of Casino Royale. Ensconced in my comfy seat at The Grove Theatre, munching on Red Vines and drinking a green tea, I was prepared for the usual Bond fare, you know, gadgets, guns and girls. However, thirty minutes into Casino Royale, it became clear that Daniel Craig is a new Bond.This Bond is, first and foremost, a cold-blooded killer/secret agent. Accordingly, Craig really brings a rugged athleticism to the role. We haven't seen Bond whup ass like this in years. Thankfully, he only uses the girls and gadgets sparingly to get what he wants. All that was great. Fantastic. Fabulous. But the most shocking surprise of the cinematic experience was when I found myself thinking, thirty minutes into the film, "He's hot." And then, "Damn, he's really hot."
What? How did I go from thinking Daniel Craig is completely unattractive to...being a bit infatuated with him? I'm still trying to figure out this change of heart. What did it? Was it the strength of the writing? Craig's acting ability? The eye-candy worthy scene of him walking on the beach? Was it the way Craig actually used his acting abilities and made the character emotive instead of merely a cliche? Or was it the way this Bond is clearly not relying on his looks to accomplish his mission?
If you've seen it, did you have the same experience?
Comments
Merry Christmas!
It's something about someone not trying to be attractive--that's absolutely sexy!! LOL
Go figure...
Counselor tip of the day: If you really want people to notice you. Pretend like you don't know you have it--and flaunt it.
Please, please, Mr. George Clooney, take pity on us and make some real Matt Helm movies.
Have you seen Pierce Brosnan knock his old Bond image on its ear in Matador? Crass, but fun and surprising.
I'm feeling your tip of the day. How true, how true. I hope you enjoy CR as much as I did. Can't wait to hear how it was for you.
Ooh, Clooney would be a fabulous Matt Helm. Now that you say it, I can't really think of anyone else that would fit the bill. I haven't seen Pierce Brosnan in The Matador...I had to settle for seeing him out a Santa Monica Pier. Very good looking in person.