Product ReviewsCasino Royale (DVD, 2007, 2-Disc Set, Widescreen)

An outstanding movie at an absolutely excellent price-just can't be beat!

I have always liked this movie, and the theme song is the best Bond theme song ever. I think so, anyway. First foray of Daniel Craig, and what an impact (literally)!
I had extra cases, so this deal without a case was right up my alley, and as a bonus it had the original artwork (that doesn't usually get included).
I checked everything-the 2nd disk had a rough time starting up, but it plays fine now. I noticed that on all USA copies of this movie-DVD and Blu-Ray. I don't know why. The 2nd disc includes all of the extras, and there are plenty with this movie worth watching, so I was happy when I got it working!
Very happy with purchase, price, and delivery time.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: marinmega

James Bond DVD Movie “Casino Royale” is exciting but the DVD-disk has several bad skips :(

10-12-2021(Tues.) James Bond DVD Movie “Casino Royale” was actually good: the acting, this action and suspense but sad to say that the DVD-disk has several bad skips on it which made viewing extra tricky … had to fast forward the bad spots that are on the DVD-disk in order to still try and view the rest of show :/Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: second.sale

HYBRID BOND

Daniel Craig holds his own in this new updated version of Double 07, James Bond. He looks good,actually really good and his cold blue eyes (enhanced for the movie) tell a thousand stories.
His Bond girls are below average and so forgettable. Where is Angelina Jolie when you need her?
Regardless- this new twists and changes brings life back into a really tired series. Action packed and full of Bond cliches, Casino Royale is a hybrid of all those former Bond flicks.
Judi Dench is wonderful in her role. She gives a new meaning to the phrase powerful woman.
Check out this flick, you may love it or hate it but at least it's entertaining.
And where was the great James Bond theme song? You would think some front and center artist would have gotten the honors- yet no Brittney or Jessica or 50 Cent.Read full review...

Casino Royale (DVD, 2007)

Casino Royale introduces Daniel Craig as James Bond. He easily assumes the identity and in a quite believable manner. He has the cold, rugged look of what one would expect of a Bond character, along with a fit, hansom, and rather obscure appearance. As a recently promoted OO-agent, he coldly and uncaringly "makes his bones" with the assassination of a rogue government agent. He immediately demonstrates that he is goal orientated and cares little about what anyone else thinks about his methods. Judy Dench plays "M" and after a shaky start with Bond, realizes his worth when, in a rather unorthodox manner, he uncovers an underground terrorist banking network. When Bonds actions prevent the destruction of a billion dollar prototype aircraft at Miami International Airport, it becomes clear that someone has lost over $100M in the stock market betting that the aircraft would be destroyed. The terrorist banker and loanshark, La Chiffre, was the person on the losing end, and the lost funds belonged to his "investors", terrorists, warlords, rogue governments and hijackers. Instead of making a fortune betting the wrong way on the stock, he now must devise a plan to replace the money. This is done by setting up a high-stakes poker game, "winner take all", in Montenegro. The buy-in is $10M, with an additional $5M if needed. Ten players, meaning a potential $150M game. Le Chiffre is a chess and cards prodigy, and Bond is entered into the game. The idea is to financially break Le Chiffre and then offer him protection from his "investors" for information. In old Bond films, there was always some group like SPECTRE or SMERSH, or other arch-villan organization. In this movie we have the Mysterious Mr. White, who is head of the worldwide terrorist banking system. Le Chiffre will ultimately have to answer to him if unsuccessful at Montenegro. The pretty girl; there is always a pretty girl, Vesper Lind (Eva Green), is the British Govt. accountant in charge of Bond's funds for the tournament. She is very similar to Bond in personality, and the chemistry between them is obvious. Of course, during all of this banter, there are several unsuccessful attempts on Bond, each leading up to the eventual defeat of La Chiffre in spectacular fashion. In the typical Bond fashion, there is an action packed anit-climactical ending, where Bond, reveals a side never seen before. He has been truly hurt, emotionally, by Vesper's death, but now, another door is opened. . .Hello Mr. White. . .and the story goes on. . . I feel that Daniel Craig may just wind up being the best Bond since Sean Connery.Read full review...

The "new" Bond works!

It's always difficult trying to imagine a new actor playing the James Bond role. I was skeptical of Daniel Craig, and I admit it took me some time to warm up to him. Past Bond actors have been a wide variety of personalities. Sean Connery is just about everyone's favorite. After that, it gets pretty subjective. Personally, I thought Roger Moore was pretty good, but a bit glib. Pierce Brosnin and Timothy Dalton were eye-candy for the ladies, but not much appeal for the male viewers. George Lazenby.....nevermind. Well, it took me a couple of viewings, but I finally accepted Craig as the "new" Bond. It also occurred to me that this is a disc I wanted to own. The story line works, Bond is action packed, and even shows a vulnerable side as he falls for a woman assigned to back him in a high-stakes poker game.
Unfortunately, Ian Fleming has left us, and no more "Bond" novels will be written. The Broccoli family, who has produced most of the Bond films, hopefully will continue to rework and rewrite them. I think there will always be a place for these films, and the Bond character. If Craig wants to continue as Bond, he could have a long and happy future.
Hope this review helps, and enjoy the movie.Read full review...

Royale with Plenty of Cheese

Still not on a par with the days of Sean Connery, the new Bond is quite an improvement over effeminate versions portrayed by Pierce Brosnan and Timothy Dalton. You can finally see some of the manly qualities that Bond should have, without all of the fancy-pants poncery of the more modern Englishmen to play the part.

But enough about the acting, as that's hardly what people would buy a Bond film for!

The Bondgirls: very nice this time around. I remember hearing an uproar about Eva Green being selected for the female lead, but I think she's perfect. Quite good in this film. She was thankfully not another Xena: Warrior Princess 21st-Century female action hero stereotype. She was tough, yet vulnerable, and quite feminine. The other ladies were quite easy on the eyes, as well, though they don't get much screen time. It's a one girl show this time around.

The Plot: though I realize nobody watches Bond films for the clever plot, this one was not so ridiculous as some of its predecessors. Though not as intricate, with only mild twisting and turning, it is at least believable. Basically, the villain is a banker-to-the-warlords who takes a huge loss when his stock market scheme is foiled, and needs to make up the defecit before the warlords realize he was gambling with their money. Intro the high-stakes Texas Hold'em tournament (yeah, you heard right!) held in Montenegro - probably the most unlikely premise for Bond to appear anywhere, it is an obvious latch-on to the growing popularity of the card game. Anyway, Bond needs to win, because he's Bond, and the villain needs to win, because he doesn't want to sleep with the fishes, see. Violence and intrigue ensue. Pretty standard stuff, if you cut out the poker bit.

The Action: yes, beside the Bondgirls, this is the reason most people would spend two hours watching a Bond Film. And, for the first time in the last few installments, this edition actually lives up to expectations. After a short flashback for expository purposes, we are treated to a relatively original chase scene, something you can rarely count on in a Bond film. The action here was well-balanced between tension-building realism and the over-the-top unlikeliness Bond films are noted for. I was impressed. Later on, there is a short car chase that ends in an interesting, if somewhat Snidely Whiplash-esque, manner. A somewhat less interesting fuel truck fight (I know I've seen it in a previous installment) sets the stage for one of Bond's clever tricks that the audience isn't let in on until the end. Also, they do some interesting things to a Venician building towards the end.

The Cars: this was a little disappointing. The Astin-Martin was nice, but that's about it. One moment that tickled my fancy was when they showed bond driving a rental car that looked like a Ford Focus, or something similarly lame (no offense to Ford employees - I'm sure it gets excellent gas mileage).

The Gadgets: surprisingly few gadgets entered into the story, and nothing that allows Bond to make a MacGuyver-like escape from some holding cell. Every last deus ex machina in the film was due to something else saving Bond's bacon. I missed the laser pens, and John Cleese, but you can't have everything.

Overall, I would say this is definitely above averageon the Bond scale, and I would recommend all Bondophiles buy it. People with only a mild interest in Bond films may want to rent first.Read full review...

Good Sequel

I bought this, because I never caught it while playing on the big screen. Unlike other Bond movies, this is a sequel to the first Bond starring Daniel Craig, Casino Royal. Craig is the show! He is equal to the original Bond, in that he plays the role differently. Other pretenders tried to fit in a mold. My only problem is that the movie has too many frills of special effects, and not enough meat, or plot. For those that like action movies with a capital A, this movie is for you. For those viewers like me, who want a little more from a Bond movie, the film is barely good.Read full review...

Some Kinda BOND!

I'm sure by now everyone's heard that when Connery was at first chosen for Bond all the world wondered why David Niven wasn't chosen. Now that we have a new Bond I'm sure the pre-eminent exclamation was Craig who? WWEELLL- GET OVER IT! This is an actor. If you had doubts this movie MUST have changed your' mind. Daniel Craigs' performance was no less than an astonishment.It's well known the academy would sooner commit mass suicide than nominate a Bond film. Craigs performance was worthy of at least a nod. I was surprised that a Bond would act the way I'm sure a spy would; COLD, business like, supremely self assured, but, hidden, unless there was no alternative. We've gotten used to Bonds that were treated as remnants of the "gumshoe" era with overactive libido and absolutely unimpeachable self-aggrandizement. A Bond that nearly dies from poison, who needed help from the leading lady: UNHEARD OF. Revenge forced by logic, marvelous! A great, solid story that leads directly to the second Bond film of this era. A number of reviewers have suggested that "A Quantum Of Solace" is the perfect Bond film. Well- it wouldn't have made a quantum of sense without a grand "Casino Royale". This was the best planned franchise progression since "Rings". To get to the marrow of the matter if you don't like Bond films by now this one won't make you a believer. However, if you at least have nothing against them you'll find this well entertaining and worth the watch. You'll see a new Bond that is MUCH more believable. I hope he stays that way. One realistic note; some psychological grounding will be necessary: no-one could remain that detatched and remain sane. That's for further on down the road. For now, just enjoy a more human Bond. 'Bout time!Read full review...

One OF The Best Bonds!!!

I didnt want to see it in the movie theaters. So i just waited for it to come out on dvd. I think that it is a great dvd. It goes much deeper into the character of James Bond. It took me a a couple times watching the dvd to get use to the blond hair, blue eye look of Dainel Craig. I really dont think it is up there with Goldfinger or others; because it is completely different kind of "Animal". I do how ever miss Pierce Brosnan because he was to Bond i grew up with and lost the Role of Bond becasue of bad writing and plots. All in all i think it was quite good.Read full review...

Not your father's James Bond!

Having grown up in the Sean Connery as James Bond era, I have to declare that I'm pleased in Casino Royale. I very much liked Daniel Craig's performance, and was impressed with the way he fit right into the role (in my opinion, much better than did Pierce Brosnan). It's not really like any of the other Bond films; and I much prefer this updated version. My sons have always wondered how much better 007's could do their job with now-everyday objects like cell phones.Read full review...

Where Bond really did go before...

Daniel Craig was definitely not the Bond I was expecting - sure the prerequisite characteristics of "suave" and "debonair" were present - but this Bond was darker in nature - the viewer gets to see an angry 007, more impulsive, and nowhere near as refined as his Connery and Brosnan predecessors, but this is supposed to be a prequel so in short - Bond has real failings and vulnerabilities in this episode. Craig's Bond is fooled and played in a way that is human and sort of tragic in nature. You can see the walls of personal protection forming at the end of the story which is where the story of the Bond we know begins. I felt the film was very good, but you have to see it with an open mind for a story the viewer has never heard before. Don't judge it, or Daniel Craig, by the expectations of the long-running franchise. Try seeing it in its own right and by its own merits. You might be surprised...Read full review...

Casino Royale- Best Bond Film in years!

I saw this film opening day in a state of the art theatre and the DVD is just as captivating. The action scenes in this film are top notch! You can't leave the screen for a minute for fear of missing something!

Daniel Craig is a fine actor and does justice to the role. He has the looks of a soldier, which is Bond's history. I didn't miss the gadgets, which were a bit much lately, in the other films. Eva Green plays her part very well, and won an award in Britain.

The torture scene was hard to watch, but if that sort of thing bothers you, you can fast forward.

This DVD is a good addition to your collection, expecially if you are an old fan of James Bond!Read full review...