Casino Royale Analysis

 The title sequence is around 4 minutes which is significantly long compared to most other modern thrillers such as seven and Momento. I think this is because they wanted to keep the titles the same since the older movies as Casino Royale is the 23rd bond installment and chronologically is the start of James bond series, therefore there wasn't that iconic gun barrel scene at the beginning of every James bond installment. Therefore its only shown once he has accomplished his first kill.     

The establishing shot is also accompanied by the place name (Prague) in the bottom left hand corner to indicate to the audience what country they are in.The use of the low angel shot adds presence and significance to the building. 

 This sequence is in black and white to indicate that its in the past and has already happened. There is no sound at this point apart from ambient sound such as footsteps and the lift door. This helps introduce the audience to the main protagonist. There are many enigma codes set at this point such as who is the man and why does he look tense and on edge?

When in conversation there are flashbacks (within the flashback) to the past. The scene is very white which contrasts the dark black scene in the office.

After the initial opening scene the usual Bond style animated title sequence starts. It signify the tone of the film with many fight scenes later on in the films been shown in animation and as playing cards or poker and signify a casino. It goes well with the title (Casino Royale) and the theme of the film. The non-diagetic sound the plays along side this is a song called “you know my name”. The credits list many names with job titles, they appear in this order: production company, main stars, writer of the book that the film was based on, co-stars, associate producer, sound unit director, costume designer, editor, director of photography, production designer, writer/singer and producer of the song being played along with the director of music for the whole of the film, executive producers and then a repetition of the novel writer. As most films do the credits end with the producer and the director last. It then finishes with a computer screen stating “OO7 status confirmed”. This is a link to both the opening credits and the rest of the film showing to the audience how James Bond got his “OO” status. This shows a time difference as well as a lapse in time.

Editing

The whole opening credits scene of Casino Royal is black and white, this is effective because the main character James Bond before he has killed anybody yet and fully reached initiation into his OO status. So this shows him innocence and visualizes to the audience what stage he is at. When he looks back on his first kill it is also in black and white, this is effective and common because it marks the difference in time for the audience. This also indicates that the audience is witnessing a flashbacks and a difference in time as well. The editing is messy and quick reflecting the fight and James Bonds emotions. This is because it is his first kill so he isn't used to killing people in a quick efficient way

Camera work

In terms of camera work there is a large selection of different camera shots. There is an establishing shot of the building where Bond is going to meet the protagonist this helps set the scene present the audience where the characters, are to make the story line easier to comprehend and follow later on in the film as well as during the opening credits. There are lots of close ups in the first two minutes on all the characters faces, mostly James and the protagonist who has been double dealing and selling secrets. This is to show emotion as they are clearly in a confrontation and the close ups can give the audience and insight of characters intentions and what they are feeling. There is a shot that shows both character om either side of the rooms represents the difference in both characters and the different situations they find themselves in. It also displays a standoff that both characters are in and how they are opposing each other as well.