M Preference? (Spoilers)

Jarvio

During Bernard Lee to Robert Brown's reign as M, the character was pretty much just bond's boss, with not much character development and plot relevance.

Then came Judi Dench, who seemed more like an established, developed character, with important plot relevance (particularly in TWINE and Skyfall).

Which type of M do you prefer? Bond's boss only with not much more development, or a proper, established and developed character relevant to the plots?

minigeff

I prefer M to be a bit more involved than a 'here's your mission now sod off 007' type.

Seeing M in the field as it were in MR was a nice bit, but I think M being personally tied to the plot is a bit done now.

If the writers can find an imaginative way of involving M, or Q for that matter, then I'm all for it.

zaphod

Jarvio wrote:

During Bernard Lee to Robert Brown's reign as M, the character was pretty much just bond's boss, with not much character development and plot relevance.

Then came Judi Dench, who seemed more like an established, developed character, with important plot relevance (particularly in TWINE and Skyfall).

Which type of M do you prefer? Bond's boss only with not much more development, or a proper, established and developed character relevant to the plots?

I think Bernard Lee did a great deal with very little. The relationship with Bond had layers and a degree of complexity without diverting attention. Fiennes will be very good, but I hope used more sparingly than Dench.

Luke

I'm looking forward to Fiennes as well. Overall, I think Dench is the strongest M in the series, especially while she was in the Craig era. She's a more rounded character, and its fun to see her relationship with Bond develop.

I didn't like her as much in the latter Brosnan films, particularly TND and DAD. As others have said on the site, I think she has much better chemistry with Craid than the Brozzer. Still, I think they played off one another well in Goldeneye. She had a very Lee-ish attitude then, which I think worked pretty well.

Peppermill

Difficult question. I really like Bernard Lee as M because he is very close to the M in the books. But Judi Dench also brought a lot to the role in the movies she was in. Robert Brown wasn't different enough from Bernald Lee to really 'work' for me as M.

Thunderpussy

I'd rather M just set up the mission. I go to a Bond Film to
se what Bond is doing, Not M.

Jarvio

Interesting opinions so far.

I think I prefer M as just setting up the mission and doing little else, but it is nice to have M play a key role in the plot now and then too.

Just for the record, seeing as people are discussing Fiennes, I added 'spoiler' to the topic title. I too am looking forward to his portrayal of M, and I expect he'll be playing him for quite a while.

bailorg

Whether the role is small or large, above all I think there should be some sort of bond, no pun intended, based on a high degree of professional respect for each other despite any disagreements they may have.

I thought Dench and Craig captured this dynamic better than any M/Bond combination. That being said, after Skyfall, the writers and producers should seek to remember that they are making James Bond films and not M films.

Blackleiter

I love what Dench brought to the role of M, and she was especially impressive in Skyfall. But I think the "Dench era" of M was marred by too much of M in the field. So whether M's role in future Bond films is large or small, I think M should primarily be seen at MI6 headquarters.

DEFIANT 74205

Jarvio wrote:

Which type of M do you prefer? Bond's boss only with not much more development, or a proper, established and developed character relevant to the plots?

Definitely the former.

Despite not having a lot of screen time, though, Bernard Lee's M certainly had a developed relationship with Bond. To me, Bernard Lee played the M straight from the books - a retired Admiral, an old man, who is cold and distant with Bond and would very rarely address him as anything other than '007', and Bond would address him as nothing other than 'Sir'. It's a very clear line showing who's the boss and who's the underling.

Bernard Lee's M was also quite capable at giving 007 a good old fashioned dressing down as he did in Goldfinger.

I want to see M become more of Bond's boss and less of Bond's colleague. I want to see a colder, more distant relationship between the pair, one built on the notion of "I'm your boss and you'll do as I say, and if you don't follow your instructions, there'll be hell to pay" ... (hey, that rhymes! )

Moore Than

Given Ralph Fiennes status as an actor, it is likely the prominence of M in the films will remain as high as it was during the tenure of Judi Dench. I tend to agree with Jarvio that M should mainly set up the mission and do little else, but occasionally play a more prominent key role in the plot.

zaphod

Moore Than wrote:

Given Ralph Fiennes status as an actor, it is likely the prominence of M in the films will remain as high as it was during the tenure of Judi Dench. I tend to agree with Jarvio that M should mainly set up the mission and do little else, but occasionally play a more prominent key role in the plot.

I hope that you are wrong, but fear that you are right. Fiennes is superb, but I'd prefer M being used sparingly, and please, please, no more self referential escapades, I don't want M's daughter kidnapped, or Dog shot, or anything else connected to the personal life and or past of any of the characters. No more ' back story' or I'm out of here

Thunderpussy

No way Zaphod, I love all those scenes of M sleeping, Running a Bath. They
Made QOS for me. I hope in the future we get to see something like.
M brushing his teeth, combing his hair, Paying a resaturant bill or give us
his take on running a Bath, so we could compare their different styles.
Plenty of excitement to come.

Agent007jamest

I always preferred the green ones. I know everyone says they taste the same no matter the color but as a kid I thought the green ones were best!


Spoiler: The "melt in your mouth not in your hands" slogan is garbage! They melt in your hands, pocket or any where else you leave them too long!

Lexi

Moore Than wrote:

Given Ralph Fiennes status as an actor, it is likely the prominence of M in the films will remain as high as it was during the tenure of Judi Dench. I tend to agree with Jarvio that M should mainly set up the mission and do little else, but occasionally play a more prominent key role in the plot.

I agree...I can't see them developing M's character as much as they've had...and it would be difficult to achieve, unless they are planning on having Fiennes character be Bonds long lost father figure...yes, exactly! Can't see that happening )

superdaddy

It has been rumoured that DC was really against JD being killed off and he wanted her to stay in the role for the rest of his tenure as to wether this is a testimony to her as an actress or the fact that she was the only one smaller than him on set I cannot possibly comment. )