Why do you Like D Craig as Bond ?

Thunderpussy

I'm not the biggest fan of Mr Craig but feel at least with Skyfall he seems happier
in the skin of 007. Hence I've warmed to him a little.
Although I was wondering if anyone would like to express Why or what is it about
his performance as Bond that his fans find so appealing. Or could you give some
specific scenes from his Films that you feel truly express ( in your mind ) why he's
closer to The Bond of the novels than any other actor Before him.
For myself I thought He was good In CR, He probably wasn't the problem with
QOS ( But I really don't rate that film too highly ) and with the re introduction of
some humor into Skyfall It seems to me at least to be his Best performance yet.
So I'd be interested in any views.

SpangledWeb

I think DC's is probably the most loyal portrayal of the character from the novels. Connery approached it often and Dalton had his moments as well, but Craig has really nailed the icy ambivilance and conflict that Fleming infused Bond with.
In the novels I've read, Bond actually, rather coldly, contemplates his "love interest's" demise - In CR, when LeChiffre kidnaps Vesper, Bond decides to proceed head-on as if the girl is already dead. In LALD, when they are being keel-hauled behind the boat, Bond decides that he's going to drown Solitaire first, then himself. In CR the movie, after her betrayal, Craig's Bond is about to shoot Vesper rather than have her used as a human sheild ("Allow me."). In QOS the movie, he's ready to shoot Camille in the head to save her from burning to death. In SF, he uses Severine to get closer to Silva, almost certainly knowing he is dooming her. His line about "that's a waste of good scotch", or whatever he says, is delivered by Craig with a jarring lack of emotion. Also, the decided anonymity of the girl in the beach cottage, while Bond is "enjoying death", reminds me of the Bond from the novels for some reason. The character is, almost by neccessity, emotionally bankrupt.
I love how the character from the movies has changed over the years, and absolutely believe that each era gets the Bond it needs. The only actors that did not get the appreciation I think they deserved in their day are Lazenby and Dalton. However, over time, I believe their portrayals have aged better than Moore's.
Just my opinion, but you did ask

Thunderpussy

Yew I did ask. )
Some good Points SpangledWeb, Although I think the line about the scotch or whiskey
Is Bond putting on a show for the villain, I don't think He's really that Cold. -{

Peppermill

I think Craig has the good fortune of being in movies with good scripts (maybe not QOS) that take Bond back to basic. I'm really curious if Daniel Craig would be as loved as he is right now if he had to drive a remote controlled car (or an invisible one for that matter).

BIG TAM

I like Daniel Craig's whole persona. He plays a flesh & blood 007, aided in that by the current trend to go deeper into the character. He has a sly sense of insolence & self-confidence. His is a Bond who kicks ass & Craig delivers this hardman aspect well. He also displays a nice line in droll wit. The part in SKYFALL where Craig demands to be let in the tube train could have been stupid. Indeed, in another era this would have been played as high farce. But Craig plays the reality of the situation & it becomes an amusing aside that doesn't detract from the ensuing chase.

Thunderpussy

I always thought that Craig needed more Lines in the Connery Mold.
More of a Cruel sence of Humor and at last with Skyfall, Its here.
There were so many Funny lines in Skyfall But very natural, They
didn't feel shoehorned in for the sake of it.
I also didn't notice "The Grimmace" face he has pulled in the past
during fights. So mabey he's more comfortable in the role now. Or
I'm geting less picky.

Blackleiter

You have nicely summed up my feelings about Craig as well. -{

BIG TAM wrote:

I like Daniel Craig's whole persona. He plays a flesh & blood 007, aided in that by the current trend to go deeper into the character. He has a sly sense of insolence & self-confidence. His is a Bond who kicks ass & Craig delivers this hardman aspect well. He also displays a nice line in droll wit. The part in SKYFALL where Craig demands to be let in the tube train could have been stupid. Indeed, in another era this would have been played as high farce. But Craig plays the reality of the situation & it becomes an amusing aside that doesn't detract from the ensuing chase.

Ens007

BIG TAM wrote:

I like Daniel Craig's whole persona. He plays a flesh & blood 007, aided in that by the current trend to go deeper into the character. He has a sly sense of insolence & self-confidence. His is a Bond who kicks ass & Craig delivers this hardman aspect well. He also displays a nice line in droll wit. The part in SKYFALL where Craig demands to be let in the tube train could have been stupid. Indeed, in another era this would have been played as high farce. But Craig plays the reality of the situation & it becomes an amusing aside that doesn't detract from the ensuing chase.

Well summed up. I'd also add that there's more than a hint of cheekiness / humour in quite a few of his one-liners, belying the so-called "cold hearted b*stard" tag that his characterisation has earnt. It's the no-nonsense approach that appeals to me, as I find him very believable in how he portrays Bond / someone in that profession.

superdaddy

I like his Sunspel polo's if that helps.

Thunderpussy

I try and avoid anything that show off my Moobs.

Blackleiter

As well you should! )

Thunderpussy wrote:

I try and avoid anything that show off my Moobs.

bailorg

Perhaps, it's better stated by what I don't like about other Bond portrayals:

I can't stand the one-liner in every scene approach that typified the later Connery, Moore, and Brosnan Bond portrayals. I know some Bond fans seem to live for the great one-liner, but I don't.

To me, James Bond is not a wise-cracking obnoxious know-it-all. He is a highly professional human being with a strong independent streak who makes mistakes and has genuine emotions.

I still think Timothy Dalton is the best James Bond, but Daniel Craig is a close second. If he can find that space between the a little too jovial Bond in CR and the a little too dour and depressed Bond in QoS, I think Craig could deliver what would be the perfect Bond portrayal, but Skyfall just didn't really do it for me.

Thunderpussy

I can agree with a lot of your views bailorg, I too think Dalton was the Best.
I think with Skyfall they gave Craig some great Lines, Dry and cruel,
Which I think Better suit his Bond than the Funny One-liners of Moore
and Brosnan ( Brosnan didn't like many of his One-liners )
IMHO a little humor ( Not too much ) Helps make Bond more believable

zaphod

superdaddy wrote:

I like his Sunspel polo's if that helps.

Deep.

zaphod

I largely agree with TP.For me however there is still something missing...an element of class and a feeling of gravitas. What makes Bond special is the interplay of gentlemen and thug. I still feel that we have seen more thug than gentlemen. I'm not arguing for a Moore like smarminess, but a Dalton or Connerry like fusion which serves to make the darkness even darker by contrast. I guess I'm looking for light and shade.

Thunderpussy

I agree about the missing gravitas, The modern Bonds don't feel Epic.
Small story lines, Forgetable/weak villains etc.
Hopefully with the success of Skyfall they'll aim a little Higher next Time.

Napoleon Plural

Hate it when they try to put him in a tux, hate the posters of him on the buses.

But I like his rugged clobber in the scenes in Skyfall mansion, and his attire in the playing dead getting wasted scenes too, and nothing unBond about that either. Wish they'd stick to that.

In a way, I see him as a Richard Burton type star, of late 60s Where Eagles Dare mould, and The Wild Geese. Wish he'd do a film like that.

I do think it's useful in a way to have a quieter Bond, not the usual smart alec type which in reality can be a bit tiring for both the giver and receiver.

superado

Napoleon Plural wrote:

In a way, I see him as a Richard Burton type star, of late 60s Where Eagles Dare mould, and The Wild Geese. Wish he'd do a film like that.

I liked him very much in Munich because that role reminded me of those pre-80's, military flavored action adventures.

As far as the question on this thread, I resisted the reboot when it was about to happen, but since it did whether I liked it or not, I decided to embrace it (must be how first time prison sex is like) and grew to appreciate the very interesting things done with this blank slate, which is why I like CR and yes, QoS. I don't like the return to the "classic" elements and agree that I hate seeing CR in a tux for the obligatory evening wear scenes of "classic" Bond. As I've mentioned in another thread, I find this development in direction schizophrenic on the part of the producers. Contrary to what others feel, however, I still don't get that literary Bond vibe from Craig despite his intensity, stripped veneer approach in the role, but in fairness, in other ways the other Bond actors (even Dalton) had some missing aspects of the literary Bond.

zaphod

Napoleon Plural wrote:

Hate it when they try to put him in a tux, hate the posters of him on the buses.

But I like his rugged clobber in the scenes in Skyfall mansion, and his attire in the playing dead getting wasted scenes too, and nothing unBond about that either. Wish they'd stick to that.

In a way, I see him as a Richard Burton type star, of late 60s Where Eagles Dare mould, and The Wild Geese. Wish he'd do a film like that.

I do think it's useful in a way to have a quieter Bond, not the usual smart alec type which in reality can be a bit tiring for both the giver and receiver.

I dislike him in a Tux but I suspect for different reasons. It goes back to the gravitas thing that I'm always banging on about. In a Tux he looks like the waiter or doorman, not the guest.I also agree that the whole Tux schtick is legacy that we can do without.

lahaine

My first post on this great forum

Anyway Craig made Bond cool again and had me acting like a 8 year old again after watching Connery Bond's on ITV with my dad and brother ), i'm 35 by the way . I've never read the Fleming book's but Craig's Bond makes me feel for him when he gets shot or heartbroken plus he's one cold hearted bastard. He's human for once not this super cool one liner Spy who shags women every five minutes like Bronson or Moore ( who i detest with a passion they made Bond a joke). Craig basically gave Bond back his balls and boy he's my favourite Bond and thats saying something as I never taught anyone could top Connery. Casino royale and Skyfall are the best Bond films for me and QOS is underated (its flawed) but Craig has been kickass in all of them. Dalton i admire cause he wanted to make Bond darker but he wasn't given the scripts that Craig has pumped life back into the Bond Franchise.