Shaken or Stirred? The different James Bond.

OK, this has got to be the best line from Casino Royale, the new Bond movie released this weekend: James Bond (Daniel Craig) is ordering his vodka.

Waiter: ”Shaken or stirred, sir?”

Bond: “Do I look like I give a damn?”

Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casio Royale. Image credit - Aston Martin

James and his sweet yet gadget-depraved ride Aston Martin DBS

Yes, he is different. If you were wondering why Daniel Craig was cast to play this part at all, being different must have been the largest part of the decision. The movie leaves an impression that the creators badly wanted to change the image of the movie whatever it takes. Well, maybe leave Aston Martin just so it is not mistaken for Mission Impossible but re-work almost every aspect of James Bond as we knew him.

Here is a small list of things that are different that you’ll notice watching the film:

  • James says: ”I love you” to one of his girls. Well, to be sure she does not get away with it. But what did you expect? This is a Bond movie after all. I know it is probably going to kill the fun for you but I have to ask: can someone please explain to me why she did not let James pull her out of that elevator?
  • James drives a Ford (!). Don’t worry, it was just a loaner and two Aston Martins were driven in the movie after that but couldn’t he rent a Jag or at least a BMW?
  • The 007 car is a plain vanilla Aston Martin DBS (top secret new model – improved DB9)straight from the factory. No rockets. No invisible shields, retractable spikes or ejection seats. Just a defibrillator in the glove box (Ha?). Well, defibrillator finds a good use in the movie, but othewise the car is just bo-o-ring. Don’t worry though, it gets trashed, too.
  • Vodka is out of favor although Martini is still consumed. Speaking of vodka, below is another big change:
  • No Russians were harmed in a James Bond movie. Fifteen years after Cold War has officially ended (watch for a funny remark by M in the first few minutes of the movie) the Cold War era clichés must be hard to exploit.

I honestly think they have succeeded in reviving interest to Bond movies in young audience – future movie goers – good business move. It was interesting to observe the younger people in the theater applaud when the movie ended and the older people scratch their heads trying to wrap their minds around the new concept of purposely unpolished (blue collar so to speak) James Bond.

So, go watch the new James Bond kill, crush bones and getting his a.. kicked (OK, there is a whole slightly disturbing scene about that). It is an entertaining movie worth watching. Don’t be judgmental even though it is really hard not to keep comparing it to the previous Bond blockbusters. And don’t try to compare Daniel Craig to Sean Connery or Pierce Brosnan. This will not be fair because this Bond is different.

5 thoughts on “Shaken or Stirred? The different James Bond.”

  1. Got to love the foot chase scenes. The only Bond I know that needs a bath for a good two thirds of the movie. And I love that the car tasted it.

    “Dame Judi Dench took mah eye out in a bah fight.”

  2. (continued from previous)

    -My Supervisor at work all throughout the movie in a high pitched mock accent.

    You’ll hear a lot of criticism that he looks too much like a bad guy to be a Bond. I’m sorry but he needs to be a heavy to pull off a good Bond and he did.

    Tis a shame that Golden Compass didn’t finish out the last three or so chapters of the book in the movie. Perhaps because they’re really trying to make Daniel Craig look like a good guy for the next four or so Bond movies.

  3. Danial is a brilliant bond, I luv the Aston Martin cars but my favourate bond is Timothy Dalton xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  4. I think the inspiration for the new more hands on James Bond comes from the success of Jason Bourne. In my opinion Daniel Craig has done a phenomenal job of bringing James Bond back. The older movies with the other guys belong on the Cartoon Network after Casino Royal and Quantom of Solace.

    P.S. The DBS look alot better with out the Gadgets.

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