Would a campy Bond Film work nowadays?

AlphaOmegaSin

Do you think that a 'Campy' Bond Film could still work in this current era of Films?

MooseWithFleas

Not in Craig's tenure. It just wouldn't work with the character he has personified. Bond 24 or 25 could have more humor, but doubt it will delve into camp.

In future Bond's, I could definitely see some return to camp, but it would not be in the vein of YOLT, DAF, OP, AVTAK, etc.

Die Another Day seemed like an attempt to return to the camp of the late 60's and 70's. It didn't work among the masses because it was seen as an imitator. If we see camp in future Bonds, it should be in a way we haven't seen before. It seems like EON is pretty focused on moving the series forward, with some tips to the past, rather than trying to replicate the past.

Thunderpussy

) agreed not while Daniel Craig is Bond, I'd say Skyfall is as campy as he'll get.

hehadlotsofguts

Silva anyone? )

BIG TAM

I don't know about campy but we may see more lightweight fare when a new actor takes over.

Thunderpussy

I agree. although I do think we'll never see the " silly humor " Tarzan yells etc ever
Making a come back. I do think.they will keep the balance of humor under control. -{

AirJordanFan93

I don't think you can come out and do a campy Roger Moore like Bond film now with after what they have done to the character during Craigs tenure. Im sure post Craig they may change it up and try to make it a little more light hearted again but I don't think you will see Moonraker like campyness in a Bond films again.

Gassy Man

Public tastes will change -- they always do. People will get tired of the same old, same old, another generation of young people will come up and reject the previous generation's icons, and different creative people will be given their chance. If it seems like there will never be another campy Bond movie, that all but guarantees there will be.

JayCobb1045

I've thought about this before, and I think that the Austin Powers franchise may have ruined that particular brand of camp for future Bonds. That is, if they went back and tried to pull from the same Moore-era types of camp elements, I think the end result would just end up looking like a parody of a parody.

That being said, I really hope that we see a return to "fun" Bond films. I don't need Tarzan yells - hell, I hate the Tarzan yell - but something that gives us the other side of Bond. The first half of CR gives us hints at that - the exchange with the rich hotel guest who mistakes him for a valet, his seduction of whats her name on the horse, his card playing for enjoyment rather than as part of a mission - but the second half of CR on through the end of SF is all serious man on a mission type stuff. That's all good and well, but for me it isn't enough.

I think two ways they can camp up future installments are returning Bond to his playboy ways, and focusing on the villains and henchmen. Silva was sort of campy, but so sinister and oddly sympathetic as a character that the camp potential is lost in the character's dramatic back story. Again, not a bad thing, but also not the way I want villains to be from here on out.

One idea that I think would fit with EON's history of pulling from whatever is "hot" right now, and would also lend itself to some good over the top Moore-era storylines and campy situations would be to have an AI humanoid robot villain. Throw a robot femme fatale into the mix and then we're really cooking with gas.

Higgins

Gassy Man wrote:

Public tastes will change -- they always do. People will get tired of the same old, same old, another generation of young people will come up and reject the previous generation's icons, and different creative people will be given their chance. If it seems like there will never be another campy Bond movie, that all but guarantees there will be.

Thanks, Gassy Man. I am pretty sure that this sums up a lot:

- the recent overly bashing of the Moore decade - particularly on AJB with younger members.

Regarding camp: First of all you need the appropriate actor. It did not work with Connery (DAF) - it won't work with Craig and presently it's hard to be successful with a funnier movie in the cinemas.

You see so much funny stuff on TV - the genre seldom hits a hit globally in the cinema.

And I wanted to add that the "camp" Bond age was mostly serious stuff and only a funny line or gadget now and then.

chrisisall

Give me Dalton-like camp forever more.

Blackleiter

I don't think it would work, and I certainly hope not. Wouldn't want to encourage that sort of thing.

chrisisall

Blackleiter wrote:

I don't think it would work

No, not today, and hopefully not ever again.

ZorinIndustries

The audience has been set up by the Daniel Craig trilogy and I think it would take a lot for our generation to accept a campy Bond film. I think over time, it could work, but it would have to be a slow transition with a different Bond. Great post! -{

AlphaOmegaSin

Maybe the next Actor could bring in a more Humor Direction?