Common Sense Media, a nonprofit group dedicated to improving the entertainment lives of families, provides reviews of the latest movies from a parenting perspective. For more reviews, click on commonsensemedia.org.
’Casino Royale’
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action, a scene of torture, sexual content and nudity.
Common Sense Media: Pause. For ages 14 and older.
***(out of five stars)
Running time: 144 minutes
Common Sense review: The new James Bond’s blue eyes are underscored right at the start of “Casino Royale.”As the opening credits end, Daniel Craig walks to the camera and stares into it dead-on. Ruggedly handsome and utterly confident, he’s almost daring you to resist his difference from previous 007 incarnations.
Once the movie starts, however, you see this difference doesn’t extend to plot, characters or rhythms. Director Martin Campbell’s movie, like its predecessors, showcases fabulous locations (the Bahamas, Venice, London, Montenegro); a dastardly, damaged villain (Le Chiffre, played by Mads Mikkelsen, complete with facial scar and an eye that weeps blood); and a beautiful, brainy Bond Girl, Vesper Lynd (Eva Green).
The story takes viewers back to Bond’s beginnings, when M (Judi Dench) elevates him to the extra-special rank of 007. Bond’s early 007 adventures involve all manner of brutality and rule-breaking as he fixes on his targets with unshakable ferocity. All of this is warm-up for the big showdown with Le Chiffre, which centers around a high-stakes poker game. This Bond is cunning and even elegant, providing the franchise with a much-needed shot of raw energy.
Nevertheless, although the details are right, the movie is bogged down by the plot, which spends too much time on the poker game and a montage of Bond and Vesper’s inevitable romance. Such generic diversions detract from Mr. Craig’s strengths, which are based in deft gestures, nuanced glances and deadpan delivery of the occasional joke.
This Bond — fast, mean and vulnerable enough to appeal to a new generation of fans — likely will revive the franchise. By the time of the next installment, perhaps the script will keep up with him.
Common Sense note: Parents need to know that teens absolutely are going to want to see this much-hyped restart to the James Bond franchise. The new 007, however, is darker than previous incarnations. His sly, barely perceptible smile suggests he relishes revenge and takes pleasure in his violence.
The film is full of violence, including spectacular explosions, intense physical fights, shooting, knifing, cars crashing and drowning. Sex scenes show Bond with two women at different times in various states of undress. Lots of martini-drinking as Bond discovers his drink of choice.
Families can talk about what makes Bond so appealing. What does his behavior say about images of manliness? How does the movie characterize this new Bond as both ruthless and charismatic? Who’s your favorite Bond?
Sexual content: Bond beds two women (all three characters show nude legs and arms while kissing and embracing passionately on beds and floors); Bond is naked for a torture session in which everything but full-frontal nudity is seen.
Language alert: Mild language.
Violence alert: Lots of stunts, per usual in Bond movies, including explosions by bombs, grenades and missiles; car chases and flips; leaps on and off building scaffolding. Bond’s face and body repeatedly are cut and bleeding. Poisoned, Bond sweats and gasps, nearly dying. A long, sad drowning sequence is shown.
Commercialism alert: The usual upscale Bond paraphernalia.
Social-behavior alert: Much drinking.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.