Casino Royale opening title sequence

Jan 14, 2008 Art of the Title

Casino Royale

DETAILS

USA | UK
2006
Black and White/Color
2.35:1
English

CREDITS

Title Designer: Daniel Kleinman

Category: Daniel Kleinman, Film, News

Tagged: 2006, James Bond, UK

http://www.binkythedoormat.com Daniel

I really didn’t like this. What with the rest of the film pretty much succeeding at the whole franchise-reboot thing, it’s as if nobody bothered to try anything new with the opening credits. It was just all a bit “is that it?”. Fortunately it gets a LOT better.

http://twitter.com/EliotGates Eliot John Gates

Bah, I disagree. To me this one of the best openings with the graphics, surrealist art and two bullets in the seven of hearts card. Pure genius.

http://freewebs.com/trinilife Michael

I always loved the intro sequences of the 007 movies and I was actually glad that they kept the style in this sequence. Nothing was ever wrong with the titles so why change it.
http://www.HMSS.com Paul Baack

I count three of Danny Kleinman’s James Bond titles sequences as being amongst the very best in the series — in order, GoldenEye, Casino Royale, and Tomorrow Never Dies. That’s just my personal opinion, of course, but I was concerned about the increasing use of grotesqueries in his work. The imagery of oil-coated women in his The World Is Not Enough piece, and the “Fire” and “Ice” female…[i] creatures[/i] he created for the Die Another Day titles sequence were, I felt, extremely offputting (if otherwise extremely well-accomplished).

I was hugely relieved by, and ecstatically happy with this piece he created for Casino Royale. The almost 100% animation of it brings a vague recall of Maurice Binder’s work on Dr. No, while the complexity of it points to a whole new direction for the Bond picture titles. As is the case with all of Kleinman’s work, he continues to honor the history of the tradition, without slavishly aping his celebrated predecessor.

Plus, I loved the Mandelbrot Set-like exploding “clubs” sigils — just too damn cool!
Chris

I thought this was an interesting direction for the Bond titles, and glad that it didn’t leap straight into the girls ‘n’ guns motifs that had dominated the franchise for so long.

Eva Green’s face appearing was, I thought, a bit superfluous and doesn’t sit so well with the rest of the imagery. It’s the one part of the sequence that irks me. I would have loved to have seen the whole done as animation without the actors appearing at all – except for that last moment of Craig stepping towards the camera as the credits end and the music hits it’s crescendo.

On the other hand, I can understand a production house wanting to get it’s money on the screen as soon as possible.
http://www.tamaleaver.net Tama

What I like most about this sequence as the 2 dimensional opening, alluding to past Bond credits, then the move through Mandelbrot graphics to really iconic 3d vector visualisation to suggest the reboot (and thus the extra dimension) of the franchise!
Bonka

Oh my god. This is one of the saddest titles ever. It is so unengaging, slow and without any kind of drama or punch or relation whatsoever, that I remember hoping for something to happen the whole title sequence… “Please, please – could this really be the worst Bond title ever? Can it? Come on! Do something about it!”.

The 2d/3d action sequences are somewhat cool, but nothing in this vignette really gives any clue of anything, and the idea-base seems being planted on dry ground. Yes there are some references to cards here, and the characters are somewhat pointy, but thats it. Oh yeah, and there is a guy that fires a gun. Cool.

Even the bullets seem bored of being fired, and when Eva Green appears, it has just gone totally mental for me. Are you kidding me?! Who let that detail pass?!

The only good about this title sequence is at the end. Where it ends.
joris

I, too, was very disappointed when I saw it for the first time. There’s no mystery, no ominous feel, no ‘darkness’, and funny enough, despite the graphics, not really a strong graphical feel, except maybe for the 3D fight sequences, who look a bit cheap and flat. The music also sounds quite uninspired. It’s well-executed, but perhaps wrong movie…
Maybe I excpected too much?
http://arigold.wordpress.com/ Adam

Am I the only one that see’s the connection between the setting, plot, characters, and the whole theme of the movie within these titles?

These titles are modern, sleek and sophisticated. The creativity uses the main theme superbly. Being a game of cards at a casino, the patterns and symbols provide the perfect backdrop.

When James Bond finally appears, that in itself was the perfect visual anecdote for the new actor playing Bond — almost a reintroduction to Bond perhaps.

And when Eva Green appears, it is very subtle. Especially when so much is happening around.

I love this sequence. Kudos to Mr. Kleinman.
http://blog.boico.net/ Michael [Boicozine]

I’ve always found Daniel Kleinman’s heavy handed CGI work pretty overblown. It was nice to see them pull it back for this film but it could have been even sparcer I think. I saw Quantum of Solace last night and MK12 have taken over and the titles look great. It’s nice to see the designers paying attention to the typography too. It would have been nice to see what Logan would have done with it… http://www.logan.tv/
Jonathan Huffman

These credits are some of the weaker ones in the Bond series. Quantum of Solace easily fixes that.
http://www.hmss.com Paul Baack

I know, I know — de gustibus non est disputandum, and all that, but I fail to see how the QOS titles sequence is in any way superior to Kleiman’s CR work. Quite the opposite, in fact. It looked to me like MK12 was doing a fannishly slavish copy of Kleinman, with fannishly amateurish results. I saw very few connections between the imagery used and the theme/plot/story of the movie itself. The typography was reasonably cool, as was the “camera” tracking the path of the bullet, but, for me, the overall effect was “meh.” Not the worst titles sequence in the series; better even than Maurice Binder’s 70s and 80s output; but mediocre just the same.
Pau

I think these credits look quite good. Far better than the ones for the previous three films (just women with fire and ink effects…). Goldeneye’s where good too.
Bill

The thing that saves these credits for me is Chris Cornell’s awesome song and singing voice. I have been a huge fan of his since Soundgarden. He is a very underrated singer in my opinion. I think the credits do tie into to what the film is about too though.
http://www.paddymazz.net/ Patrick Mazzolo (Paddymazz)

I loved this introduction. One of the best Bond intro sequences.
Although, the Quantum of Solace titles are well done too!
Hollis

I thought that these were some of the most artistic opening sequences to date. I loved the animation, especially the constant casino-theme. I do, however, wonder how it was done? I would love to make something like that…
Ricky

The best title sequence of the entire Bond series. MK12′s work on Quantum of Solace is good but not up to Daniel Kleinman’s standard. Here’s hoping he’s back for Bond 23.
http://www.benjaminschneider.ch Benjamin

I really like this one, especially the fight sequence!
Miguel Valdez-Lopez

Mandelbrot rules!

I’m just sorry for the Quantum of Solace title sequence. That was a boring, repetitive and monochromatic experience!
Alex

i thought that the Quantum of Solace opening sequence was a whole lot better than the Casino Royale one. its kind of disappointing that it isnt on the list here.

but when speaking about the casino royale, i’m going to agree that it was a good turn in that it didn’t leap to women posing with guns.

i also loved the song that went with the opening sequences (in both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace).

“You Know My Name” was the opening song for Casino Royale, which was performed by Chris Cornell, and i thought it played along with the opening titles very nicely. i dont think there could have been a better choice. also the incorporation of a recent artist with a new “generation” so to speak of a classic series of films was a great way of saying ‘this will be a completely new experience for all you 007 buffs and fans alike.’ my only beef with the opening titles for this one was that it was a little busy at times, too much was going on. i almost got dizzy.

However, i liked (not loved) the opening song and loved (not liked) the titles themselves for Quantum of Solace. “Another Way to Die” was the song, written by Jack White and performed by Jack White and Alicia Keys. the reason the song wasn’t particularly good was that it seemed that Keys and White totally switched singing styles. also the tempo seemed off with the rate at which the titles were going. they weren’t synced. White went low and Keys went high, so to speak. but, when talking about the titles in and of itself, i dont think it could have been better. i mean the color schemes, amount of activity, transitions, the typography, everything was absolutely flawless. (yes, even the beautiful ‘sand’ women swimming around in the desert)
Ryan

I feel the 3D graphics will date reeeeally quickly
Matt

I’m really surprised that the “Quantum of Solace” titles haven’t shown up on this site yet; the DVD’s been out for a month, and I think those titles are a fantastic piece of work from MK12!
BP

The title sequence for Royale is, well, uh, “royal”. It’s very good and along with the new direction of Bond, James Bond, it was a very nice change from the usually “gorgeous” sequences for most of the previous Bonds. I’ve now seen it and the film enough times that I can’t imagine the film without it. It sets a tone (which a good title opener should usually). Nice work- thanks!
http://WWW.XJ13JAGUAR.COM ANTHONY NIOSI

SIRS, MAY I KNOW WHO CHOREOGRAPHED THE FIGHT IN THE CASINO ROYALE OPENING CREDITS, OR, IF NO INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE THE METHOD OR STYLE OF COMBAT ?
THANK YOU, ATN
Xavier

This is by far my favorite title sequence. The marriage of the music and graphics and the overall pace are just perfect, and I like the blend of retro and modern design on that one. Only thing I would not have done is to mix real pictures with the animated ones, I would have just stuck with the animated ones but the producers have probably insisted to show us the actors (at least Craig) to make sure we would register his face. Great, great sequence.
http://profile.typepad.com/tatum Stan

The inspiration for DK’s title sequence was the original cover art for the Casino Royale novel. It’s retro and underscores the point that the producers, writers and the director we going back to Bond’s roots: Ian Fleming.

I thought it was novel and an inspired approach. DK thought that he had pretty much done all there was to do with the previous title sequences.
RS

Is there a similar breakdown, with video, of Quantum of Solace's opening?
This Bond intro is easily my all-time favorite, an inspiration for subtle designs/motifs for web design, a killer song (that my four-year old loves), and a nice break from the girl silhouettes that have become old after a while.
The allusion back to the Fleming novels was a good move.

http://www.artofthetitle.com/ Art of the Title

Definitely high on our list, it's just the matter of working with MK12 on the piece. Hopefully this year.

going is great

Best Bond Title Sequence EVER. This made the hairs at the back of my neck stand up, soon as it started. Just out and out mayhem, the incredibly annoying cheesecake put aside, & pulpy murder and bloodshed, set to the tune of Chris Cornell. Nobody was asking for this, and it was too good to be true. Casino Royale was actually the first time the franchise became legitimate spy fi, and it's this title sequence which totally made that. Still think I dreamed that movie.
Ian

I am probably biased being a graphic designer and independent filmmaker, but I don’t understand the negative comments about CR’s title sequence at all.

I’v always enjoyed the Bond film’s title sequences over the years. The most impressive to me were FRWL (it might seem low budget by today’s standards, but one can’t ignore the sheer exotic nature of the credits sliding along a belly dancer’s body; Goldfinger (how could they have shown anything else except the iconic gold painted female?); OHMSS (images of passing time and scenes from previous films). I was disappointed by Binder’s work after that. It seemed to get repetitive and almost lazy. Just dancing or posing or swimming nudes with Bond shooting at off-screen targets (or Bond and or the women jumping around). I think Binder got either stuck in a rut and or the producers kept him from trying anything new. Thank goodness Kleinman was hired. Goldeneye was a beautiful mesh of CGI and the iconic images of the old Soviet Union crumbling along with a nod to Binder’s use of guns and nudes. I didn’t like TND – too much x-ray and computer circuits – seemed to clutter up the whole sequence. Kleinmans idea of using the oil and nudes combo in TWINE was well done, though I though he was over using the nude icons like Binder did. DAD was much better – using the torture scenes and the fire and ice pain images was more creative (too bad they went with Madonna’s out of place disco dance song), but again – to much reliance on the nudes.

I was astonished and delighted by the CR titles. Throw out the nudes and the dancing and jumping and posing. Let’s have Bond fighting baddies! Yay! Let’s fill it with iconic moving images of playing cards and their graphics and roulette wheels and the baddies breaking apart into the different suites! Let’s put an aggressive inyourface jazzrock song to it! My only embarrassement was showing the closeup of Craig. It was a little overdone for me – I think I would have preferred having his figure continue walking towards the viewer in silhouette, raising the gun straight at the camera and firing without showing him. The blast from the barrel would have been a nice transition to the opening scene.

I was very disappointed with MK12 on Quantum. I hope the producers can get Kleinman back. I found those titles too disorienting, unfocused and monochromatic. The nudes were so hidden by close ups and the sand motif they were almost invisible. Then they are shown dancing around some type of weird wireframe art (what was that supposed to be?). I HATED the camera flying around everything..it was like trying to read a book while riding in a rollercoaster! The moving titles were okay, using the old moving bullethole intro motif of the 60′s films.

I would love it if the next film would either not use dozens of nudes and Bond again, or at least just a few times. It would also be nice if the next theme song writer could find a way of writing lyrics without using these words – kill or any variation of it; eyes, eye, target,sights,etc.

brownjohn

Just for your info, my father Robert Brownjohn created the titles for “From Russia with Love” and the very best and iconic “Goldfinger.” Maurice Binder did not have anything to do with these titles which won every award possible! Thought you should know.

- Eliza Brownjohn

Ian

My apologies in regards to not giving your father proper credit as designer of those titles. As I said, I think they are some of the most iconic and impressive designs of the films.
It was a shame he didn’t do any others. Was this his decision, or the producers? I DID know he was the designer – put it down to having a senior moment. Again, apologies.
Doug

This is one of my favorite movie opens of all time. Period. Full Stop. And actually I think this title sequence is probably one of the best Bond sequences in the pack.
Ttipton1

I’m with Doug, this was a beautiful sequence and perhaps the best of the series. Was astounded when EON used Foster’s pick for “Quantum of Solace,” will always wonder how Kleinman would have made that more memorable.
Ttipton1

I’m with Doug, this was a beautiful sequence and perhaps the best of the series. Was astounded when EON used Foster’s pick for “Quantum of Solace,” will always wonder how Kleinman would have made that more memorable.
http://www.hayavadhan.com/ hayavadhan

beautiful titling i would say.. .. infact the best part of the movie
http://www.dj-service-bayern.de dj münchen

for Bond – Fans -first a bit strange . But now , I love it
Matt

When I was 10, I was bored. I’m now 15 and it’s great. Quintessentially Bond.
Joss

If you look at the film title sequence for “Casino Royale” more closely you will find several things that have changed, for example Kleinman didn’t use the usual ladies in bikini’s, which in my opinion has brought the credits for bond into the 21st century.

Master Index

2 3 A B C D E F G H I J K L

M N O P Q R S T U V W Z "

Casino Royale

Advertisement

Categories

Master Index