Casino Royale parents guide

Casino Royale Parent Guide

Be careful what you gamble on.

Overall C

This James Bond outing, starring Daniel Craig in the title role, features less flippant humor, more blood and (gasp!) less sex than past 007 movies. Yet, even with smart writing, astounding performances (Craig being the kingpin) and that classic Bond style, the depictions of perilous situations, sensational violence and high stakes gambling still make Casino Royale a questionable bet for older teens.

Release date November 16, 2006

Violence D+
Sexual Content C
Profanity C
Substance Use C

Why is Casino Royale rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Casino Royale PG-13 for intense sequences of violent action, a scene of torture, sexual content and nudity

Run Time: 144 minutes

Parent Movie Review

Many have imitated, but there is only one Bond… James Bond. Although various actors have played the lead character of this aging franchise, and the mother studio of Bond (MGM) has been sold and revamped, there is still a breath of hope left in this spy’s game. It comes in the form of Daniel Craig and an innovative approach to the script, which makes this incarnation far more contemporary.

First, don’t confuse the 2006 Casino Royale with the 1960s spoof of the same name. This outing is serious business—in fact, it’s the most “down to business” Bond I can recall. Yet even with less flippant humor, more blood and (gasp!) less sex, this episode will still capture viewers. But this time the tools of the trade are smart writing, astounding performances (Craig being the kingpin) and a polishing of that classic 007 style.

Ironically, this film is based on the first book written by Bond’s creator Ian Fleming. The story recounts the secret agent’s initial mission where he takes on Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a financier for freedom fighters and terrorists. All the bullets and fistfights eventually lead to a high-stakes poker game in which the super sleuth, with the backing of the UK government and the watchful eye of their beautiful treasury officer Vesper (Eva Green), puts taxpayers’ money on the line in the hopes of breaking up Le Chiffre’s evil network.

Parents of teens wanting to view this action/adventure should know there is both good and bad news. From the moment of the opening credits (which are missing the typical silhouette of a nude woman) you know this Bond is a little different. That’s not to say the film is devoid of sex, but the quantity is toned down. The covert operator has a sexual relationship with only one woman, and he is even depicted as having feelings for her. (Welcome to the new, sensitive Bond.) However, violence is still as rampant as ever, with hand-to-hand combat, gunshots and a scene of torture. Yet, adding a dose of mortality to the usually unbeatable character, this Bond bleeds—even quite profusely in one scene.

And perhaps that’s what will make this film more appealing to 21st century audiences. Having a suave, cool and sophisticated hero can be a little boring sometimes, so this movie allows him to make the occasional mistake and stumble while chasing the bad guy. Women have been promoted from being mere sex objects to becoming sexual distractions… okay, that’s not a huge improvement. Still, compared to the last few installments of 007, Casino Royale may prove a better bet. Whether or not you should share it with your oldest teens though, is still a gamble.

Starring Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Judi Dench. Running time: 144 minutes. Theatrical release November 16, 2006. Updated

Casino Royale
Rating & Content Info

Why is Casino Royale rated PG-13? Casino Royale is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for intense sequences of violent action, a scene of torture, sexual content and nudity

Daniel Craig’s first Bond film presents a slightly different tone, with a more serous plotline and less gratuitous sexuality. However, concerning content still prevails with many scenes of hand-to-hand combat, people being shot (along with the usual bullets, a man is shot in the eye with a nail gun) and a naked man subjected to torture (it’s implied his testicles are the target of the attack—no explicit nudity is seen). Sensational and perilous stunts are shown throughout. In one scene, Bond seduces a woman in order to gain information—neither character removes their clothes and they are interrupted before things get too involved. Bond is also depicted passionately embracing another woman in a couple of instances. As well, the main character is shown consuming fancy alcoholic drinks and usually drives in a reckless manner—all in a day’s work…

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Casino Royale Parents' Guide

Why do you think the studio is trying some new ideas with this Bond movie? How might terrorism and other current issues have affected these decisions? Have you noticed similar changes in other movies or forms of entertainment?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of Casino Royale movie is March 12, 2007. Here are some details…

Release Date: 15 September 2015

Exclusively available through Amazon, MGM/UA releases to home video (in Digital HD) a collection of every Bond film made up to 2015. The package includes:
 
- 23 films on Blu-ray from Dr. No to Skyfall plus space reserved for Spectre (Coming November 6, 2016).

- Digital HD copies of all 23 films

- Bond poster book

Over 120 hours of Special Features including:

- 2 all-new featurettes

- Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007 – a 90 minute documentary

Also releasing separately on 15 September 2015:

Home Video Notes: 007: The Daniel Craig Collection
Release Date: 15 September 2015
MGM/UA releases to home video a collection of three James Bond films starring Daniel Craig. These include:
- Casino Royale
- Quantum of Solace
- Skyfall

Home Video Notes:Casino Royale

Release Date: 22 October 2012

In honor of the Bond Franchise’s 50th Anniversary in 2012,Casino Royale is re-releasing to home video.

DVD Release Date: 13 March 2007

Releasing to DVD in a 2-Disc Special Edition (presented in either wide or full screen), Casino Royale offers Bond fans a license to explore behind the scenes of the action packed movie. Special Features include: Becoming Bond (an intimate look at how Daniel Craig stepped into the role of the 6th James Bond), James Bond: For Real (an inside look at action and stunts of film) Bond Girls Are Forever (a closer look at Bond’s leading ladies) and You Know My Name (Chris Cornell’s music video). Audio tracks are available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1) and French (Dolby Digital 2.0), with subtitles in English and Spanish.

Blu-ray Release: 21 October 2008

Various James Bond films have been restored and re-mastered for release to Blu-ray disc. Fans of the franchise can look for Dr. No, Die Another Day, Live and Let Live, For Your Eyes Only, From Russia With Love, and Thunderbolt.

Related home video titles:

An invalid man spies on his neighbors in the Hitchcock classic Rear Window. Other Bond movies reviewed by Parent Previews include: Die Another Day, The World Is Not Enough and Tomorrow Never Dies.

Related news about Casino Royale

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