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"The name is James Bond"

The latest flick in Bond series is doing extremely good business in the city writes G. PRASAD

PHOTO: M. Moorthy

ALL-TIME FAVORITE Daniel Craig in Casino Royale.

James Bond not just has the license to destroy enemies but also the license to thrill millions of fans. And the British secret agent has exactly done that in `Casino Royale,' the latest of the bond flicks.

Into the third week, the movie is doing brisk business in the city. Based on Ian Fleming's first Bond novel, the film raised expectations among fans what with the blue-eyed blond Daniel Craig, playing James Bond for the first time.

"A bond movie is a bond movie. It is incomparable. We had to wait for almost four-years and this one was an entertaining through and through," says Sanjay, accompanied by his friends to the movie.

Though English-movies have enjoyed a fair share of popularity among the city youth, foreign films are released only in one theatre. But that is not the case with `Casino Royale.' The film was released at Urvasi and Star cineplexes.

Good opening

"The opening was good in both the theatres and it continued subsequently. The movie was screened only for a week in Star, as the theatre was booked for `Sivapadhikaram' in advance," says film distributor, S. Sikkandar.

He also confides that Bond movies are a crowd-puller and a safe bet for distributors even at a time when cinemagoers are very selective.

The Tamil-version of the movie has also gone along well with the fans, but there are a few complaints too.

"Although it is difficult to understand their accent at times, but still it would have been better to watch it in English. I find it hard to accept Bond speaking Tamil," says Sanjay. But Urvasi Theatre proprietor A.Loganathan feels otherwise.

Dubbing

He says the Bond movie is primarily doing well because it is dubbed in Tamil.

"There has always been a craze for action films. But it is also important for the audience to know the story. Dubbing in local languages helps common man to understand it. The Bond movie is running so well not only during weekends but also weekdays because it is dubbed in Tamil. In rural areas too it is getting a good response," he says.

In his maiden performance, Craig seems to have won the hearts of his audiences.

The standing ovation he gets during the stunt scenes and also after defeating Le Chiffre, the banker to the terrorists, in the poker game is proof enough. But when it comes to comparison, Sean Connery is way ahead of other Bonds.

"Craig is good, no doubt. When it comes to choosing the best, I will go for Connery. He had the perfect looks of a Bond. I also rate Pierce Brosnan to be one of the better-looking Bonds," says Rajkumar, a Bond buff.

Unlike the recent bond movies, in `Casino Royale' there are comparatively fewer gadgets and also the focus is more on the plot.

There are some breath-taking special effects too.

In particular, the building crash in the climax and the scenes shot at Bahamas are a visual treat.And what about the Bond girl? "Eva Green is beautiful. She is somewhat different from the other Bond girls whom I have seen. Not much of action for her and hardly I saw her picking a gun. Yet, she has done well," notes Rajkumar.And that famous dialogue - the way James Bond introduces himself - comes only at the tag end of the movie.

"It is a unique style. I just enjoy the way Bonds uttered those lines," says Sanjay.Craig did say `the name is Bond. James Bond,' followed by the rocking theme music and equally rocking applause from the fans in the theatre.

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