For the first time a James Bond movie has premiered in China... uncut. The censors always found something objectionable in previous movies: too much sex, too much pretty girls, too much British propaganda, an ally portrayed in a bad light (North Korea) or misplaced laundry in Shanghai. Not so this time. In Casino Royale, Bond is battling the terrorists and China doesn't object.
But will Casino Royale become a box office hit? That's doubtful. Because if the censors didn't cut anything what is there to see? Surely nothing exhilarating. Some fans say this 007 is more real. “A man willing to lose his own life for his true love is more three-dimensional,” commented one fan. Perhaps, but cinema is all about fantasy. Beam me up, Scotty.
How many people will want to spend money in the theaters? Grainy copies are already circulating on pirated DVDs. It's not a pretty sight, but you can follow the story. This is no Zhang Yimou costume drama in a gazillion hues of gold. No Gong Li cleavage either (Bond girl Eva Green doesn't measure up). Who needs a big screen for this 007 flick? A 7 kuai DVD will do.
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