A cinematic experience the likes of which we see less and less in these superhero/lollipop-action fatigued times.
It’s a good day when the action film you’re watching actually makes you question how the character is possibly going to do all the things he needs to to save the day. This movie feels restrained compared to other action movies that can’t keep their budget in their pants and have to blow up everything to be satiated. Casino Royale is good I think because it feels like there’s a story and development here that we have to get invested in to enjoy the film. The opening act is a glorious chase action scene and honestly all the action sequences in the film are brilliantly. Mostly due to how vertical the film takes them: a sinking house (going down), a stairway fight as the characters go downstairs and the upward mobility of the opening sequence. I liked the poker scenes too but I have to say, the tournament perhaps intentionally or not, doesn’t really have a sense of continuity to it. The final showdowns are great but I felt they were a tad repetitive with the all-in’s. Tho I suppose the film even here cautions restraint instead of making some overblown cheesy outsmarting competition as I have seen some films do
Daniel Craig is great as Bond, ruthless and yet betraying that he’s a smug egotist womanizer at his core. Mads Mikkelson plays a terrific villain, he’s so full of himself and I love that the movie didn’t give him an origin story. That was what I was dreading to be honest.
It’s fairly emotional in the final act too but by that point the film had run too long for my taste. That and a couple of stupid plot points are really what keeps the movie from ranking higher but it’s a thrill for nearly 75% of the film. Definitely one of the better action films I have seen this year.
7.5/10 Wikipedia refers to it as a spy thriller but the two Bond films, this and No Time to Die, felt pretty normal thrilling action films with high stakes and hot women. Is it just because of the casino setting and less action than the other films?
I haven’t seen the whole movie, but from a poker perspective it’s a pretty terrible scene (doesn’t mean it can’t be enjoyed dramatically)
The only way that kinda runout happens is if someone was deliberately stacking the deck to cooler everyone and give Bond the win. Otherwise the cards are entirely random in which case a runout like that is not only astronomically rare, but also entirely out of Bond’s control. So maybe that aligns with the theme of the movie, idk, but it’s basically just charasterizing Bond as disgustingly lucky rather than skilled.
Skill expression in poker comes from things a player can control, like bet sizing and hand selection. If the filmmakers wanted to show flashy skill, they could have made Bond induce a fold from the villain with a well-timed bluff, or have him make a risky hero call for all his money.
I like the way Archer is disgustingly lucky as an actual canon character trait that he eventually even notices and explicitly comments on.
It’s amazing how many people have learned poker hands from balatro (my partner included)
also casino royale is easily my favorite craig bond movie
it’s the only bond movie where his testicles get repeatedly pulverized
Gonna watch Skyfall next
I remember that one being decent but the only thing I can remember specifically is the adele song lol
Yeah, I heard Quantum of Solace and Spectre sucks and I have already seen No Time to Die. Maybe I’ll watch Spectre just for Lea Seydoux
One thing tho, Bond looks so good with a rifle that has suppressor attached at the end of the film. Such a clean look, so I hope there’s more of that
What game would help me understand the scene where hes whipping bond’s balls
Not a game but this XKCD does a good job https://xkcd.com/538/
also balatro but you’re losing
Metal Gear Solid.
I would also like to know
In my opinion the poker scenes are a definite improvement over the book, where they play baccarat instead (it’s like blackjack at the core) and bond wins just because he keeps betting more money. Yes there are interesting explanations on the math behind the game and the rules force the rise of the stakes making it feel more natural, but still not that great. Maybe it’s just my opinion of the two games tho
As a poker nerd the scenes suck
I haven’t read the book yet but it’s on my reading list
I found a YouTube link in your comment. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:
