"You have 10 seconds to prove Bond is worth my time..."
LastRatStanding
ScotlandPosts: 296MI6 Agent
Interestingly today, my friend who hasn't seen any Bond movies and doesn't see why I go on about them so much said to me "you have 10 seconds to prove it's worth my time, show me something on youtube that will convince me". Obviously not every film in it's entirety is on Youtube and I quickly chose Goldfingers death scene (my friend has a similar sense of humour to me and he likes a funny death scene) and said "If that isnt a reason to get into the Bond films then what is?". He agreed to watch Goldfinger with me at some point soon, so hopefully i've helped start the great Bond journey for another new fan.
However thinking about it I've definitely gave him a pretty average clip. Trying to get into a series now after seeing a clip from the 60's I can imagine is very difficult as it would seem very dated. So from the more recent Bond films I've had a think and came up with these moments:
GE: "For England James?" "No, for me!" - Brosnans coldness comes out here (one of the few times it does) and I think its a good reflection of Brosnans performance.
GE: "I'am Invincible! - Obviously a quick way to get the humour of the Bond films across.
TND: PTS Jet ejector seat clip - Obviously a completely ridiculous scene but this little trick always sticks in my mind. I remember the first time I seen it was funny and exciting.
LTK: "Don't you want to know why?" - Just general Dalton brilliance.
DAD: Invisible Car - obviously not a "classic" Bond feature in any way but for a newcomer you'd want to get it out of the way as soon as possible. DAD being my first Bond I remember not knowing whether it was completely irregular in a Bond film and it's annoying now knowing that it's not as i'll never fully enjoy it again.
CR: Bond Catches Gun on the top of the crane - A great moment that shows Bonds style and intimidation quickly in an exciting location.
Those are the ones I think are good quick introduction to Bond, bearing in mind that showing someone now who has no interest in Bond a clip from DR NO of Connery saying "Bond, James Bond" would probably be completely underwhelming.
However thinking about it I've definitely gave him a pretty average clip. Trying to get into a series now after seeing a clip from the 60's I can imagine is very difficult as it would seem very dated. So from the more recent Bond films I've had a think and came up with these moments:
GE: "For England James?" "No, for me!" - Brosnans coldness comes out here (one of the few times it does) and I think its a good reflection of Brosnans performance.
GE: "I'am Invincible! - Obviously a quick way to get the humour of the Bond films across.
TND: PTS Jet ejector seat clip - Obviously a completely ridiculous scene but this little trick always sticks in my mind. I remember the first time I seen it was funny and exciting.
LTK: "Don't you want to know why?" - Just general Dalton brilliance.
DAD: Invisible Car - obviously not a "classic" Bond feature in any way but for a newcomer you'd want to get it out of the way as soon as possible. DAD being my first Bond I remember not knowing whether it was completely irregular in a Bond film and it's annoying now knowing that it's not as i'll never fully enjoy it again.
CR: Bond Catches Gun on the top of the crane - A great moment that shows Bonds style and intimidation quickly in an exciting location.
Those are the ones I think are good quick introduction to Bond, bearing in mind that showing someone now who has no interest in Bond a clip from DR NO of Connery saying "Bond, James Bond" would probably be completely underwhelming.
Now, they only eat rat.
Comments
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
I wouldn't bother either. People either "get" Bond or they don't. Capture for me the complete beauty and soul of the Mona Lisa in 10 words or less.
Why is Bond worth my time? It's tough to say, but maybe this sums it up. Fleming wrote in one of his books about the Bond relationship with his friend Felix Leiter. He said something to the effect of "Bond couldn't understand it or quantify it, but he just took an instant like to Felix." That's how it was for me with Bond. I don't have the slightest clue what it was that made me a Bond fan - I just took an instant like to the character.
Just a quick personal history here...My first exposure to Bond was the movie "The Spy Who Loved Me". I was 11 and had never heard of James Bond but a friend told me to watch this film that was going to be on TV that night. The next thing I know I'm watching this movie and in the first couple minutes I see this guy just roll out of bed with a gorgeous woman, fight a bunch of goons during a huge ski chase scene, just to go flying off a cliff -and just when I thought wow he's doomed -bam! British Flag parachute. The hook was set right then and there.
Miserable bitch doesn't smile and the backgrounds don't match up.
As for your friend, tell him to grow his own brain, make a decision for himself, and stop wasting your time before administering a swift right hoof into his bezants.
Vive le droit à la libre expression! Je suis Charlie!
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
www.cancerresearchuk.org
If he doesn't like Goldfinger I'll find new friends. :007)
end up spending all your time with Wiredos on Bond Forums.
Although old I'd go with the Killing of Dent in DR No. Ruthlessly cool and iconic. If someone doesn't get that then Bond is not for them.
Two great moments that shows Bond at his best are Dalton's "Get down on your knees general" and Craig's "I know where you keep your gun, suppose that's somthing!"
The Bond like sophistication that we all aspire to comes in handy in moments like these because it acts as a buffer as to what I would like to say to your friend's "challenge".
Take a stand, Last Rat Standing, and calmly tell your friend that the world of Bond is not to be so flippantly tested and appraised. Thats as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Reminds me of the time when the Doors in 1966 were trying to land their first record deal. The story is Lou Adler, a big producer, listened to their demo by only playing the first few seconds of each song and then casually dismissing the band.
Sound familiar? Of course it does, because we have created a culture that is all about instant gratification. The attitude is impress me...now!
But don't worry, Last Rat Standing, your pal has a future in show biz. The Lou Adlers of today demand to be impressed even quicker.
So the answer to your question? I would give him a 10 second death stare like Connery or Dalton would and then dismiss him away as if Ive taken a drink of Siamese Vodka.
Bond fans don't HAVE to prove anything.
"You're mad. Do you know that?"
"Yes. Isn't everyone?"