Are James Bond Movies Their Own Genre ?

chrisisall

So... this guy named Fleming who'd seen and heard of and been involved in terrible acts of espionage during World War II decided to try and rid himself of his demons by creating a fictional character that would at once exhibit the anguish & pain of his experiences whilst also taking them to a fantasy level where such dark and sinister moments could be the stuff of semi-heroic storytelling.
Then these guys Saltzman & Broccoli seize the day by securing rights to this fellow's novels to make movies...
Then the movies are produced faithful to the novels, then not, then with comedy injected, then action, then spectacle, then reduction to basics, then blends, then dead-seriousness...

Are Bond movies action films? No. With the possibly arguable exception of YOLT, Bond movies have never been just about wowing the audience with one amazing set piece after another.
Are Bonds drama? Hell no, "Little Women" they ain't.
Comedy? Some moments in the Moore era could definitely qualify, but they're the sprinkles on the sundae, not the ice cream.
Satire maybe? MR came closest, but it's still no Flint or Helm.
Spy flick then? While FRWL is the truest 'spy flick' the franchise ever delivered, Bond films rarely concern themselves with actual 'spy stuff' (See: The Constant Gardener).

IMO, 'pulp fiction' or 'adult comic book' might describe the Bond films best. And either is not an actual Film Genre to my knowledge. )

Thoughts?

Peppermill

I have to agree with. James Bond movies are an entirely different beast from all other movies. That might very well be the reason why they are still going strong after all these years.

But this begs a different question too. Are there any non-Bond movies that qualify as Bond movies?

Thunderpussy

Also the style of the Bonds has been copied many times. Especially
The quip after a bit of violence or action. For me at least when Bond
Was off screen for a few years, The Die Hard films became surrogate
Bond films, big spectacle, big action sequences and stunts, mixed with
Some great one-liners. Many of the villains in Die Hard would fit perfectly
Into Bond. Die Hard 4,with the destruction of the infrastructure of America
And destruction of the financial records and savings of the USA, is a Bond
Film ! )

AlphaOmegaSin

The Films have been kept out of Hollywood's Hands, and have not been corrupted by any outside Interference -{

AdamOmega

IMHO, yes, James Bond movies are their own genre (at least since Goldfinger). James Bond movies occupy a niche between classic spy thriller and spy-fi, although the more recent entries have leaned towards the former.

Barbel

Yes, they are their own genre. They make their own rules, have legions of imitators, are the longest continuous film series ever, blatantly cherry-pick from current ideas or tropes when the mood strikes the makers or ignore trends if it doesn't, and never lose money.

Blackleiter

Peppermill wrote:

I have to agree with. James Bond movies are an entirely different beast from all other movies. That might very well be the reason why they are still going strong after all these years.

But this begs a different question too. Are there any non-Bond movies that qualify as Bond movies?

In my opinion Bond movies are there own genre, often imitated, never equalled. For me, a good example of a non-Bond movie Bond movie is True Lies. Except for the "hiding my true job from my wife" angle, True Lies hits a lot of the Roger Moore Bond film notes, including sprinkling comedic elements among the spectacular stunts and action sequences. James Cameron came up with a pretty entertaining film, and I would like to see what he would do with an actual Bond movie.

chrisisall

Blackleiter wrote:

In my opinion Bond movies are there own genre, often imitated, never equalled. For me, a good example of a non-Bond movie Bond movie is True Lies.

Yes, Cameron copied the BOND GENRE very nicely there.