I'm sure it's been said before but the Dalton period was the most heavily affected by political correctness and the HIV era. By the time Brosnan came about the producers were confident enough to make a direct joke about it (misogynistic dinosaur) but poor old Tim was lumbered with being polite and respectful etc etc. The literary Bond certainly wasn't like that and I think that limited the potential of what Dalton could do with the role.
I think the other thing that has helped Craig is the overwhelming desire of the critics to say they love Bond. Critics love a good combeback and they'd been waiting since Connery hung up his Walther to re-embrace Bond. It could have happened at any time. Craig is very good - but I think he struck a little bit lucky in terms of timing. Suddenly, it's trendy to love Bond (it certainly wasn't in the 70's or 80's - and probably 90's)
Which means he was totally successful.
It's been said many many times that if your'e watching Bond and you'd like to be him, you aren't really watching Bond.
Here I'm afraid we have to disagree. {[] . Reading Fleming's Bond, I really want to be him. Does that make him non-Bond too?
Raymond Mortimer, reviewing OHMSS for The Sunday Times, wrote that "James Bond is what every man would like to be, and what every woman would like between her sheets"'. We may not like every aspect of his character, but I bet most of us here would like to be him, just the same...
I am going to share a secret. What I am about to write is the most accurate metric for us all to agree who the best Bonds are with regard to the public. ) Mind your answers to two simple questions posed by this scenario:
You are at an outdoor party.
1) Which Bond (actor in character) would you rather share a beer with and hold a conversation with at the party.
Just then, the party erupts in gunfire.
2) Which Bond (actor in character) would you prefer to be there to protect you?
If you answered the same person for both questions, that is the superior Bond. THAT is the crux of the character: 1 part immense charm, 1 part stone cold killer, and shaken over ice.
So why in a battle of the Bonds do I think Craig comes out ahead (even though we love Dalton's portrayal)?
Because I think Craig beats Dalton on the first question, the charm front.
I do think Craig also edges out Dalton as the finer actor. I am reminded by that line in CR, "made you feel it, did he?" Craig has always made me feel it. He is more expressive when he needs to be, his serious pout face always conveys more than it seems at the surface, delivers his lines with more depth and range. All this wraps together any might lead to the intangible fact that at least to most, Craig is simply more likable than Dalton.
As everyone said, the stories, supporting cast, direction, and the script will also affect the tone and mood of the portrayal, but I think Dalton would not have worked the same in CR or Skyfall.
My two cents. -{ -{
If your test is to answer who is the best Bond as between Dalton and Craig, I agree with you that Craig wins. If the question is directed at who is the best Bond of all based on those two questions, I think Connery wins hands down.
Here I'm afraid we have to disagree. {[] . Reading Fleming's Bond, I really want to be him. Does that make him non-Bond too?
Don't take this the wrong way, but are you saying you'd like to be an alcoholic womanizer tied to nothing but his job? Would the glamour of travel & the killing of world-class bad guys make it better?
I mean, certain elements certainly have their attractions, but BE Bond?
No, thanks.
I am going to share a secret. What I am about to write is the most accurate metric for us all to agree who the best Bonds are with regard to the public. ) Mind your answers to two simple questions posed by this scenario:
You are at an outdoor party.
1) Which Bond (actor in character) would you rather share a beer with and hold a conversation with at the party.
Just then, the party erupts in gunfire.
2) Which Bond (actor in character) would you prefer to be there to protect you?
If you answered the same person for both questions, that is the superior Bond. THAT is the crux of the character: 1 part immense charm, 1 part stone cold killer, and shaken over ice.
So why in a battle of the Bonds do I think Craig comes out ahead (even though we love Dalton's portrayal)?
Because I think Craig beats Dalton on the first question, the charm front.
I do think Craig also edges out Dalton as the finer actor. I am reminded by that line in CR, "made you feel it, did he?" Craig has always made me feel it. He is more expressive when he needs to be, his serious pout face always conveys more than it seems at the surface, delivers his lines with more depth and range. All this wraps together any might lead to the intangible fact that at least to most, Craig is simply more likable than Dalton.
As everyone said, the stories, supporting cast, direction, and the script will also affect the tone and mood of the portrayal, but I think Dalton would not have worked the same in CR or Skyfall.
My two cents. -{ -{
If your test is to answer who is the best Bond as between Dalton and Craig, I agree with you that Craig wins. If the question is directed at who is the best Bond of all based on those two questions, I think Connery wins hands down.
Don't take this the wrong way, but are you saying you'd like to be an alcoholic womanizer tied to nothing but his job? Would the glamour of travel & the killing of world-class bad guys make it better?
I mean, certain elements certainly have their attractions, but BE Bond?
No, thanks.
I'd argue that Bond is no more of an alcoholic than many of his generation; and what he did consume was world-class champagne, wines and spirits which are sadly above my pay grade but which I would love to try. And yes Bond maybe a womaniser, but it was more fuelled by romance than misogyny for the most part, especially Vesper, Tracey, Honey and Tiffany.
Taking a step back, the Bond novels are pure fiction and written to be glamorous and appealing, so of course I want to BE Bond. The character of the novels and films is pretty far removed from reality, wouldn't you agree? -{
Back on topic, as it were, Dalton certainly didn't portray an alcoholic womaniser (Craig has done a much better job of that, especially in QOS! ) - his Bond is certainly more romantic and also restrained in the alcohol department. I'm not knocking Dalton, as I said earlier. But a large part of my enjoyment of the films is that I would love to be like Bond, and for me, Craig fulfills that more than Dalton for a variety of reasons. -{
The other actors had enough starpower to pull out decent movies under similar circumstances.
In Germany we say that the fish starts stinking from the head, so we should ask, how much the head actor had to do with it.
Markus - Not tru...i HATE alle the PB movies - dammmm they are awullllllllll -{
The other actors had enough starpower to pull out decent movies under similar circumstances.
In Germany we say that the fish starts stinking from the head, so we should ask, how much the head actor had to do with it.
Markus - Not tru...i HATE alle the PB movies - dammmm they are awullllllllll -{
Psttt markus...Watch this - 10 min - LOVEEEEEEE it.....
I can totally accept that you don't like the Brosnan movies, but his movies have been quite successfully and he's not as annoying as Dalton in them.
At least Brosnan does not give us constant tears and the debile fake smile from his acted weariness with the world
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I can totally accept that you don't like the Brosnan movies, but his movies have been quite successfully and he's not as annoying as Dalton in them.
At least Brosnan does not give us constant tears and the debile fake smile from his acted weariness with the world
The tru love of Bond.... we all have our differences.... That said i find TD 1000 times better than PB and we are not talking money but as actor.
The other actors had enough starpower to pull out decent movies under similar circumstances.
In Germany we say that the fish starts stinking from the head, so we should ask, how much the head actor had to do with it.
In the U.S. we have another saying: The IQ of the general population is roughly the square root of eight hundred and ten.
There's a lot of truth in that. About the Craig=Literary Bond idea, I doubt if more than 5% of audiences has ever read a line of Fleming and IMO that percentage is generous. I think the successful reception of Craig as Bond can be credited to making Bond, for the very first time, someone the everyman can relate to and picture himself being...and likewise, for the first time, there's a Bond that women find sexy because he's a hunk they can easily find on the streets. Compare this to the other Bonds who are larger than life, most especially in terms of class. Dalton is different, however. Since he attempted to go back to the page, I think that audiences found him too abstract, i.e., "bland." This is why I think it's too much to expect wide audience acceptance for Literary Bond and why Craig is not Literary Bond as some fans like to think.
-{ -{ -{ -{ -{ -{
Six Vespers for the both of you. I don't think there's much more to add.
Although I'll add this: I think it is extraordinary sad that some people dismiss Dalton's performance as Bond without so much as having read the books and carefully analysed the true nature of Fleming's character. And the fact that not many people have read the books is part of the reason why not many people warmed to his performances, which may have contributed to than expected box office takings (which mean jack all to me). It is not a reflection of Dalton's performance at all, which were superlative. He played Fleming's Bond in a way not seen since Connery in From Russia With Love.
As far as I'm concerned, there's only one way to play Bond, and that's by the book. Dalton nailed this down to a T.
I am going to share a secret. What I am about to write is the most accurate metric for us all to agree who the best Bonds are with regard to the public. ) Mind your answers to two simple questions posed by this scenario:
You are at an outdoor party.
1) Which Bond (actor in character) would you rather share a beer with and hold a conversation with at the party.
Just then, the party erupts in gunfire.
2) Which Bond (actor in character) would you prefer to be there to protect you?
I don't think Bond enjoys drinking beer all that much
Fact is, though, Bond isn't exactly a likeable person - at least, not Fleming's Bond. He doesn't have much time for the vast majority of people he meets, except for Felix Leiter, Rene Mathis, Kerim Bey and his love interest of the month. I doubt very much that you could hold a conversation with Bond unless it was some kind of intelligent conversation about world events.
As for the second question, my answer would be Connery - I think he reflects the cold, brutal element of Fleming's Bond the best in his first two films.
Which means he was totally successful.
It's been said many many times that if your'e watching Bond and you'd like to be him, you aren't really watching Bond.
Again, agreed.
Have another six Vespers -{ -{ -{ -{ -{ -{
Bond's job isn't glamorous. His job is to be "as cool about death as a surgeon. If it happened, it happened. Regret was unprofessional." He smokes and drinks his humanity away, all the while living the high life due to his belief that he won't waste is days trying to prolong them, but rather living life to the full because as a 00, he has a low life expectancy and any day could be his last.
Don't know about you, but I certainly don't want to be him. I think the films has turned up the glamour of Bond's high life without adequately addressing the dangers of his job and its effect on Bond's psyche. I think it's great that Dalton and Craig have brought this element of Bond onto the big screen.
"Watch the birdie, you bastard!"
BIG TAMWrexham, North Wales, UK.Posts: 773MI6 Agent
Found this great conversation by bad guys on Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Season 6, Life Serial):
Andrew: We are really super villains now, like . . . like Dr. No.
Warren: Yeah, back when Bond was Connery and the movies were decent.
Jonathon: (scoffing) Who remembers Connery? I mean, Roger Moore was smooth.
Warren: You’re insane. You’re short, and you’re insane.
Andrew: I like Timothy Dalton!
Warren: Connery is Bond. He had style.
Jonathan: Yeah, but Roger Moore was funny.
Warren: Moonraker? The gondola turns into a hovercraft? It’s retarded. Besides, the guy had, like, no edge.
Andrew: Dalton had edge. In License to Kill he was a rogue agent. That’s edgy. (Warren and Jonathon look at him incredulously). And he was amazing in The Living Daylights.
Jonathan: Yeah, which was written for Roger Moore, not Timothy Dalton!
Warren: Okay, this is stupid! We’re wasting time. End of discussion. (Jonathon and Andrew nod their agreement, turn to their consoles, and begin typing)…I mean, there’s a shot of like, pigeons, doing double takes when the gondola blasted by! Moonraker . . is inexcusable. (Andrew and Jonathan stare at him).
Connery is the only actor in the bunch.
Andrew: Timothy Dalton should get an Oscar and (yells) beat Sean Connery over the head with it!
That's a very funny scene - especially the last line!
Reasons why the Dalton movies sucked but for the following reasons he has nothing to do with it:
- the director was crap
- his co-actors where crap
- the audiences where crap
- the producers where crap
- the writers where crap because they had Moore still in mind
- the budget was crap
- the world was crap
- the books envisioned a weary and weepy Bond so the books where crap
- the crappy gadgets and one-liners where all Roger's fault - or the audience's fault because they still wanted them.
- the math was crap because the budget - box office ratio was really great
Feel free to continue - I can see many more lines in this thread
oh yes - and the material of these balloons was also crap
How about a thread entitled "Why It's Crap to Say the Dalton Films Are Crap"? )
As Mike Myers says "If it's not Scottish, it's crap!!"
In the U.S. we have another saying: The IQ of the general population is roughly the square root of eight hundred and ten.
There's a lot of truth in that. About the Craig=Literary Bond idea, I doubt if more than 5% of audiences has ever read a line of Fleming and IMO that percentage is generous. I think the successful reception of Craig as Bond can be credited to making Bond, for the very first time, someone the everyman can relate to and picture himself being...and likewise, for the first time, there's a Bond that women find sexy because he's a hunk they can easily find on the streets. Compare this to the other Bonds who are larger than life, most especially in terms of class. Dalton is different, however. Since he attempted to go back to the page, I think that audiences found him too abstract, i.e., "bland." This is why I think it's too much to expect wide audience acceptance for Literary Bond and why Craig is not Literary Bond as some fans like to think.
-{ -{ -{ -{ -{ -{
Six Vespers for the both of you. I don't think there's much more to add.
Although I'll add this: I think it is extraordinary sad that some people dismiss Dalton's performance as Bond without so much as having read the books and carefully analysed the true nature of Fleming's character. And the fact that not many people have read the books is part of the reason why not many people warmed to his performances, which may have contributed to than expected box office takings (which mean jack all to me). It is not a reflection of Dalton's performance at all, which were superlative. He played Fleming's Bond in a way not seen since Connery in From Russia With Love.
As far as I'm concerned, there's only one way to play Bond, and that's by the book. Dalton nailed this down to a T.
I am going to share a secret. What I am about to write is the most accurate metric for us all to agree who the best Bonds are with regard to the public. ) Mind your answers to two simple questions posed by this scenario:
You are at an outdoor party.
1) Which Bond (actor in character) would you rather share a beer with and hold a conversation with at the party.
Just then, the party erupts in gunfire.
2) Which Bond (actor in character) would you prefer to be there to protect you?
I don't think Bond enjoys drinking beer all that much
Fact is, though, Bond isn't exactly a likeable person - at least, not Fleming's Bond. He doesn't have much time for the vast majority of people he meets, except for Felix Leiter, Rene Mathis, Kerim Bey and his love interest of the month. I doubt very much that you could hold a conversation with Bond unless it was some kind of intelligent conversation about world events.
As for the second question, my answer would be Connery - I think he reflects the cold, brutal element of Fleming's Bond the best in his first two films.
Which means he was totally successful.
It's been said many many times that if your'e watching Bond and you'd like to be him, you aren't really watching Bond.
Again, agreed.
Have another six Vespers -{ -{ -{ -{ -{ -{
Bond's job isn't glamorous. His job is to be "as cool about death as a surgeon. If it happened, it happened. Regret was unprofessional." He smokes and drinks his humanity away, all the while living the high life due to his belief that he won't waste is days trying to prolong them, but rather living life to the full because as a 00, he has a low life expectancy and any day could be his last.
Don't know about you, but I certainly don't want to be him. I think the films has turned up the glamour of Bond's high life without adequately addressing the dangers of his job and its effect on Bond's psyche. I think it's great that Dalton and Craig have brought this element of Bond onto the big screen.
+1
IMO when most people say they want to be Bond, they are actually saying they want to have his lifestyle - not his job. There is nothing glamorous about being a spy or soldier in real life and even though EON glamorized it on the screen over these decades, the reality is closer to what Craig physically and emotionally goes through in his films, whereas most would rather be more like Moore. Not that Moore's Bond didn't suffer physically in some of his films, just that emotionally he didn't and at the end always ended up in some lady's arms. I wouldn't mind spending a week or two driving my own Aston or Bentley, golfing in exclusive clubs, drinking expensive cocktails in expensive bars in expensive hotels in exotic cities, wearing custom suits and the finest accoutrements and hobnobbing with powerful, influential people and gambling for high stakes in the finest casinos. It also would be great to have the physique of a young Connery or Craig and the stamina of a world class athlete to go along with all the above (and hell, it we're going that far, to always be in my thirties). It would be amazing to have the government give me personal protection devices that I could use in some emergency at no cost (except having to listen to the government rep blather on about how great the devices are and I would need to return them in the same condition I received them).
That's my point. We want the cake and icing - we just don't want to sweat in the kitchen making it.
"Ahh, waiter...I believe I'll have another slice please...."
There's a lot of truth in that. About the Craig=Literary Bond idea, I doubt if more than 5% of audiences has ever read a line of Fleming and IMO that percentage is generous. I think the successful reception of Craig as Bond can be credited to making Bond, for the very first time, someone the everyman can relate to and picture himself being...and likewise, for the first time, there's a Bond that women find sexy because he's a hunk they can easily find on the streets. Compare this to the other Bonds who are larger than life, most especially in terms of class. Dalton is different, however. Since he attempted to go back to the page, I think that audiences found him too abstract, i.e., "bland." This is why I think it's too much to expect wide audience acceptance for Literary Bond and why Craig is not Literary Bond as some fans like to think.
-{ -{ -{ -{ -{ -{
Six Vespers for the both of you. I don't think there's much more to add.
Although I'll add this: I think it is extraordinary sad that some people dismiss Dalton's performance as Bond without so much as having read the books and carefully analysed the true nature of Fleming's character. And the fact that not many people have read the books is part of the reason why not many people warmed to his performances, which may have contributed to than expected box office takings (which mean jack all to me). It is not a reflection of Dalton's performance at all, which were superlative. He played Fleming's Bond in a way not seen since Connery in From Russia With Love.
As far as I'm concerned, there's only one way to play Bond, and that's by the book. Dalton nailed this down to a T.
I am going to share a secret. What I am about to write is the most accurate metric for us all to agree who the best Bonds are with regard to the public. ) Mind your answers to two simple questions posed by this scenario:
You are at an outdoor party.
1) Which Bond (actor in character) would you rather share a beer with and hold a conversation with at the party.
Just then, the party erupts in gunfire.
2) Which Bond (actor in character) would you prefer to be there to protect you?
I don't think Bond enjoys drinking beer all that much
Fact is, though, Bond isn't exactly a likeable person - at least, not Fleming's Bond. He doesn't have much time for the vast majority of people he meets, except for Felix Leiter, Rene Mathis, Kerim Bey and his love interest of the month. I doubt very much that you could hold a conversation with Bond unless it was some kind of intelligent conversation about world events.
As for the second question, my answer would be Connery - I think he reflects the cold, brutal element of Fleming's Bond the best in his first two films.
Which means he was totally successful.
It's been said many many times that if your'e watching Bond and you'd like to be him, you aren't really watching Bond.
Again, agreed.
Have another six Vespers -{ -{ -{ -{ -{ -{
Bond's job isn't glamorous. His job is to be "as cool about death as a surgeon. If it happened, it happened. Regret was unprofessional." He smokes and drinks his humanity away, all the while living the high life due to his belief that he won't waste is days trying to prolong them, but rather living life to the full because as a 00, he has a low life expectancy and any day could be his last.
Don't know about you, but I certainly don't want to be him. I think the films has turned up the glamour of Bond's high life without adequately addressing the dangers of his job and its effect on Bond's psyche. I think it's great that Dalton and Craig have brought this element of Bond onto the big screen.
+1
IMO when most people say they want to be Bond, they are actually saying they want to have his lifestyle - not his job. There is nothing glamorous about being a spy or soldier in real life and even though EON glamorized it on the screen over these decades, the reality is closer to what Craig physically and emotionally goes through in his films, whereas most would rather be more like Moore. Not that Moore's Bond didn't suffer physically in some of his films, just that emotionally he didn't and at the end always ended up in some lady's arms. I wouldn't mind spending a week or two driving my own Aston or Bentley, golfing in exclusive clubs, drinking expensive cocktails in expensive bars in expensive hotels in exotic cities, wearing custom suits and the finest accoutrements and hobnobbing with powerful, influential people and gambling for high stakes in the finest casinos. It also would be great to have the physique of a young Connery or Craig and the stamina of a world class athlete to go along with all the above (and hell, it we're going that far, to always be in my thirties). It would be amazing to have the government give me personal protection devices that I could use in some emergency at no cost (except having to listen to the government rep blather on about how great the devices are and I would need to return them in the same condition I received them).
That's my point. We want the cake and icing - we just don't want to sweat in the kitchen making it.
"Ahh, waiter...I believe I'll have another slice please...."
CmdrAtticus, you make some very valid points. I wouldn't want to be a spy or soldier in real life. But I'd like to be Bond, sweaty kitchen and all. Fleming's Bond isn't a soldier, nor a true-to-life spy (much as the alleged Russian spies exposed by the FBI this week can attest). So yes, I'd like to have Bond's job as portrayed by Fleming - a fantasy version of a spy.
Back (almost) on topic ) : do we all honestly think that Dalton portrayed being a real life spy better than Craig? As I've said before, Dalton did a commendable job of portraying Bond - but in my humble opinion, I prefer Craig's tenure because he makes the role of a Bond more appealing. If anyone else prefers to watch only those 007 movies which make you glad you're not Bond, you're very welcome to them.
Personal I find TD an better actor than DC.. personal I find TD version and portrait my vision of JB better in … so all in all it comes down to my personal view… no why that was not accepted in the 80 is a nice debate an I truly love how we all have different views and explanations…. -{
Comments
" We're showing a bit more cheek than usual ! "
I have to get up to my fighting weight.
I think the other thing that has helped Craig is the overwhelming desire of the critics to say they love Bond. Critics love a good combeback and they'd been waiting since Connery hung up his Walther to re-embrace Bond. It could have happened at any time. Craig is very good - but I think he struck a little bit lucky in terms of timing. Suddenly, it's trendy to love Bond (it certainly wasn't in the 70's or 80's - and probably 90's)
Here I'm afraid we have to disagree. {[] . Reading Fleming's Bond, I really want to be him. Does that make him non-Bond too?
Raymond Mortimer, reviewing OHMSS for The Sunday Times, wrote that "James Bond is what every man would like to be, and what every woman would like between her sheets"'. We may not like every aspect of his character, but I bet most of us here would like to be him, just the same...
If your test is to answer who is the best Bond as between Dalton and Craig, I agree with you that Craig wins. If the question is directed at who is the best Bond of all based on those two questions, I think Connery wins hands down.
I mean, certain elements certainly have their attractions, but BE Bond?
No, thanks.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
I think that is a fair assessment.
I'd argue that Bond is no more of an alcoholic than many of his generation; and what he did consume was world-class champagne, wines and spirits which are sadly above my pay grade
Taking a step back, the Bond novels are pure fiction and written to be glamorous and appealing, so of course I want to BE Bond. The character of the novels and films is pretty far removed from reality, wouldn't you agree? -{
Back on topic, as it were, Dalton certainly didn't portray an alcoholic womaniser (Craig has done a much better job of that, especially in QOS! ) - his Bond is certainly more romantic and also restrained in the alcohol department. I'm not knocking Dalton, as I said earlier. But a large part of my enjoyment of the films is that I would love to be like Bond, and for me, Craig fulfills that more than Dalton for a variety of reasons. -{
Markus - Not tru...i HATE alle the PB movies - dammmm they are awullllllllll -{
www.007jamesbond.dk
http://thedangermen.com/
Psttt markus...Watch this - 10 min - LOVEEEEEEE it.....
http://vimeo.com/112728617
www.007jamesbond.dk
http://thedangermen.com/
I can totally accept that you don't like the Brosnan movies, but his movies have been quite successfully and he's not as annoying as Dalton in them.
At least Brosnan does not give us constant tears and the debile fake smile from his acted weariness with the world
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
The tru love of Bond.... we all have our differences.... That said i find TD 1000 times better than PB and we are not talking money but as actor.
That said Watch this - it is amazing...
http://vimeo.com/112728617
www.007jamesbond.dk
http://thedangermen.com/
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Yes - afterall PB is a nice actor - just not as Bond
www.007jamesbond.dk
http://thedangermen.com/
Oh he does..
Brosnan wanders through his films not putting any effort in. Sorry, but he does..
Very good quote. -{ +1
-{ -{ -{ -{ -{ -{
Six Vespers for the both of you. I don't think there's much more to add.
Although I'll add this: I think it is extraordinary sad that some people dismiss Dalton's performance as Bond without so much as having read the books and carefully analysed the true nature of Fleming's character. And the fact that not many people have read the books is part of the reason why not many people warmed to his performances, which may have contributed to than expected box office takings (which mean jack all to me). It is not a reflection of Dalton's performance at all, which were superlative. He played Fleming's Bond in a way not seen since Connery in From Russia With Love.
As far as I'm concerned, there's only one way to play Bond, and that's by the book. Dalton nailed this down to a T.
I don't think Bond enjoys drinking beer all that much
Fact is, though, Bond isn't exactly a likeable person - at least, not Fleming's Bond. He doesn't have much time for the vast majority of people he meets, except for Felix Leiter, Rene Mathis, Kerim Bey and his love interest of the month. I doubt very much that you could hold a conversation with Bond unless it was some kind of intelligent conversation about world events.
As for the second question, my answer would be Connery - I think he reflects the cold, brutal element of Fleming's Bond the best in his first two films.
Again, agreed.
Have another six Vespers -{ -{ -{ -{ -{ -{
Bond's job isn't glamorous. His job is to be "as cool about death as a surgeon. If it happened, it happened. Regret was unprofessional." He smokes and drinks his humanity away, all the while living the high life due to his belief that he won't waste is days trying to prolong them, but rather living life to the full because as a 00, he has a low life expectancy and any day could be his last.
Don't know about you, but I certainly don't want to be him. I think the films has turned up the glamour of Bond's high life without adequately addressing the dangers of his job and its effect on Bond's psyche. I think it's great that Dalton and Craig have brought this element of Bond onto the big screen.
The video is absolutely brilliant. First half hugely funny & great montage at the end.
The SKYFALL retro trailer's great too. How I miss the old '60s & '70s trailers. So much better than today's same old same old.
That's a very funny scene - especially the last line!
As Mike Myers says "If it's not Scottish, it's crap!!"
+1
IMO when most people say they want to be Bond, they are actually saying they want to have his lifestyle - not his job. There is nothing glamorous about being a spy or soldier in real life and even though EON glamorized it on the screen over these decades, the reality is closer to what Craig physically and emotionally goes through in his films, whereas most would rather be more like Moore. Not that Moore's Bond didn't suffer physically in some of his films, just that emotionally he didn't and at the end always ended up in some lady's arms. I wouldn't mind spending a week or two driving my own Aston or Bentley, golfing in exclusive clubs, drinking expensive cocktails in expensive bars in expensive hotels in exotic cities, wearing custom suits and the finest accoutrements and hobnobbing with powerful, influential people and gambling for high stakes in the finest casinos. It also would be great to have the physique of a young Connery or Craig and the stamina of a world class athlete to go along with all the above (and hell, it we're going that far, to always be in my thirties). It would be amazing to have the government give me personal protection devices that I could use in some emergency at no cost (except having to listen to the government rep blather on about how great the devices are and I would need to return them in the same condition I received them).
That's my point. We want the cake and icing - we just don't want to sweat in the kitchen making it.
"Ahh, waiter...I believe I'll have another slice please...."
{[]
Back (almost) on topic
www.007jamesbond.dk
http://thedangermen.com/
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