IMO, the greatest Bond script ever written that was never written would have been written by John Milius. Unfortunately Milius has had a multitude of very serious health problems over the last few years and even if EON had the cajones to hire him he wouldn't be available anyway. If EON really wanted to stir things up again, they would take Quentin Tarantino up on his offer and let him write and direct Bond 25. I think Tarantino can be a bit of a knob, but he is a talented knob and he does really well working within classic genres.
IMO, the greatest Bond script ever written that was never written would have been written by John Milius. Unfortunately Milius has had a multitude of very serious health problems over the last few years and even if EON had the cajones to hire him he wouldn't be available anyway. If EON really wanted to stir things up again, they would take Quentin Tarantino up on his offer and let him write and direct Bond 25. I think Tarantino can be a bit of a knob, but he is a talented knob and he does really well working within classic genres.
I would love to have seen a Milius-penned Bond film. Tarantino, on the other hand, I can do without. Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction were great--everything since then has been a retread. Tarantino always seems to be making the same film over and over again. That's just my opinion, of course!
I do wonder if Tarantino could work within the constraints of a "hard" PG-13 rating. David Ayer, who is building a nice resume and can do gritty realism (End of Watch, Training Day) and big action (Fury) both as a writer and director would be an interesting choice for Bond 25.
I don't know why anyone would think that Tarantino and Bond would make a good mix.
He's one of my fave directors, and I admire him as a screenwriter as well. But mixing him with Bond is akin to me like mixing orange juice with apple juice: it just wouldn't work.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
IMO, the greatest Bond script ever written that was never written would have been written by John Milius. Unfortunately Milius has had a multitude of very serious health problems over the last few years and even if EON had the cajones to hire him he wouldn't be available anyway. If EON really wanted to stir things up again, they would take Quentin Tarantino up on his offer and let him write and direct Bond 25. I think Tarantino can be a bit of a knob, but he is a talented knob and he does really well working within classic genres.
I would love to have seen a Milius-penned Bond film. Tarantino, on the other hand, I can do without. Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction were great--everything since then has been a retread. Tarantino always seems to be making the same film over and over again. That's just my opinion, of course!
Quentin Tarantino would be a disaster
1. For Your Eyes Only 2. The Living Daylights 3 From Russia with Love 4. Casino Royale 5. OHMSS 6. Skyfall
I'm all up for a return to more over the top stylized traditional Bond, but you can't have conflicting tones in the same movie. Within a space of a couple of minutes Spectre ranges from sadistically violent to then making goofs in a high speed chase. You can't have it both ways. You need a consistent tone or it becomes incoherent. The editor for the Phantom Menace had the exact same problem and look how that movie turned out.
Daniel needs to define his Bond otherwise he's just immaterial. Evoking previous Bonds is just taking something away from his legacy.
I'm all up for a return to more over the top stylized traditional Bond, but you can't have conflicting tones in the same movie. Within a space of a couple of minutes Spectre ranges from sadistically violent to then making goofs in a high speed chase. You can't have it both ways. You need a consistent tone or it becomes incoherent. The editor for the Phantom Menace had the exact same problem and look how that movie turned out.
Daniel needs to define his Bond otherwise he's just immaterial. Evoking previous Bonds is just taking something away from his legacy.
I totally agree with this. It's the shifting tone of the movie that hinders it. I go back to the trailer, it was dark, serious, and grave; all things we've come to expect (and I'd wager accept) from Daniel's Bond. If Spectre had stayed true to that darker, more "real" tone with a more impactful Blofeld reveal (or perhaps no Blofeld at all) I think fans and critics alike would have more praise for the film.
I realize that QOS isn't everyone's favorite, but there's no denying that the pre-title car chase is brutal. Bond doesn't have time to worry about the DBS's door being sheared off, let alone time to make a quick call to Moneypenny (or Tanner if we're sticking with characters in QOS), it just feels out of place for Daniel to make a phone call to anyone during the Rome chase.
I worry that this sets the tone for the next few films and they are relying too much on the past. I don't want Bond 25 to have Blofeld murder Madeline a la OHMSS, it seems lazy to recycle that story. As blasphemous as this may sound, I'm almost sorry that Blofled is back. It feels like EON got the rights back and is shoehorning the character into Daniel's Bond universe when it really wasn't necessary. Casino Royale is an amazing Bond move and, love it or hate it, Skyfall is one of the biggest box office successes of all time. Both films did just fine without Blofled and the more I think about it the more I come to the conclusion the Spectre might have been better served without him too.
I do wonder if Tarantino could work within the constraints of a "hard" PG-13 rating.
I think it's the concept of restraint that's needed and I believe that Quentin can be mature enough to be respectful to the subject matter of Bond; why shouldn't he be given the opportunity? I think the casting of Waltz in a way, is providence allowing Tarantino to thumb his nose at the naysayers of his proposition to direct CR, because it can be argued that without Tarantino, there would not be the marketable talent that is the Oscar-winning Christoph Waltz.
I think if given the task to give a loving homage to Bond, Tarantino, who loves Bond, would deliver with passion a compelling and sincere script and give Bond the much needed stylistic elements that IMO have been merely mimicked by the recent directors. A Tarantino movie at times may potentially devolve into retro, but that would be done with fresh verve so that he would accomplish what Guy Ritchie attempted with The Man from UNCLE. Given to the expansive dimensions the Bond series has gone into these past 50 plus years, what is there to loose to give Tarantino temporary reins within certain parameters?
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
I'm all up for a return to more over the top stylized traditional Bond, but you can't have conflicting tones in the same movie. Within a space of a couple of minutes Spectre ranges from sadistically violent to then making goofs in a high speed chase. You can't have it both ways. You need a consistent tone or it becomes incoherent. The editor for the Phantom Menace had the exact same problem and look how that movie turned out.
Daniel needs to define his Bond otherwise he's just immaterial. Evoking previous Bonds is just taking something away from his legacy.
I totally agree with this. It's the shifting tone of the movie that hinders it. I go back to the trailer, it was dark, serious, and grave; all things we've come to expect (and I'd wager accept) from Daniel's Bond. If Spectre had stayed true to that darker, more "real" tone with a more impactful Blofeld reveal (or perhaps no Blofeld at all) I think fans and critics alike would have more praise for the film.
I realize that QOS isn't everyone's favorite, but there's no denying that the pre-title car chase is brutal. Bond doesn't have time to worry about the DBS's door being sheared off, let alone time to make a quick call to Moneypenny (or Tanner if we're sticking with characters in QOS), it just feels out of place for Daniel to make a phone call to anyone during the Rome chase.
I worry that this sets the tone for the next few films and they are relying too much on the past. I don't want Bond 25 to have Blofeld murder Madeline a la OHMSS, it seems lazy to recycle that story. As blasphemous as this may sound, I'm almost sorry that Blofled is back. It feels like EON got the rights back and is shoehorning the character into Daniel's Bond universe when it really wasn't necessary. Casino Royale is an amazing Bond move and, love it or hate it, Skyfall is one of the biggest box office successes of all time. Both films did just fine without Blofled and the more I think about it the more I come to the conclusion the Spectre might have been better served without him too.
Yeah given the choice I wouldn't have chosen Blofeld as the villain. The films have every opportunity to add new characters to the Bond lore like they did with Raoul Silva in Skyfall who in my opinion was a far more interesting villain than Blofeld in Spectre. I even prefer Dominic Greene from Quantum. Speaking of Quantum, I actually like it. I think it has some great moments like the opening car chase and the Tosca scene. Yes it does have some major flaws like not delving deeper into the hierarchy of the criminal organisation and it forgets to resolve Vespers boyfriend until the final moments,, but overall I found it entertaining.
I think Tarantino can be a bit of a knob, but he is a talented knob and he does really well working within classic genres.
Tarantino is a very talented film maker with several classics under his belt, but he would not be a good choice for James Bond. His films tend to be gory, stylized, irreverent, out of order and darkly comedic. I like those kinds of films but that style is not for every genre. I would definitely like to see 007 build on the formula rather than coast on it. However, James Bond still needs to be a straightforward family-friendly adventure.
For everybody demanding a constant and gritty tone - go and find other movies or even tv series -{
Bond in the cinema is much more than constant crime, suspension and grittyness
{[]
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
I think Tarantino can be a bit of a knob, but he is a talented knob and he does really well working within classic genres.
Tarantino is a very talented film maker with several classics under his belt, but he would not be a good choice for James Bond. His films tend to be gory, stylized, irreverent, out of order and darkly comedic. I like those kinds of films but that style is not for every genre. I would definitely like to see 007 build on the formula rather than coast on it. However, James Bond still needs to be a straightforward family-friendly adventure.
Personally, my preference for Bond would be a little less "family friendly". I understand that is unrealistic because an "R" rating or the British equivalent would hurt box office. Ironically, DN was not considered "family friendly" back in '62 with its mix of violence and sex.
If Tarantino could direct Bond 25, he would make a total classic. Actually, if Blofeld returns, it would be the perfect one for him to direct. More so than CR. He's obviously the best director for Waltz, and if he wrote the screenplay too, he would actually give Waltz something to do and say.
I'm astonished to see Virgil in support of Tarantino handling a Bond film.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
I'm astonished to see Virgil in support of Tarantino handling a Bond film.
Where Brosnan is not involved, he's cool beans. )
You're wrong Chrisisall. I even defended Brosnan saying that had he played Bond on CR he would have been great, just because the story and the script were good (and I seem to remember you praised me for it!). It's not Brosnan/ no Brosnan. It's all "moronic script" vs. "solid script".
What happened to the reworking of the OHMSS theme music which were used in the trailers?
I've only seen the film twice to date but I'm pretty sure the OHMSS theme is never used during the film.
As I said it was used for the trailers but not the finished film and with that aspect I'm dissappointed.
Because that was the trailer, not the film. Different people are always hired to do the trailer music. You can't hire a high profile composer like Thomas Newman and ask him to use multiple themes by other people. It seems like he already doesn't like using the Bond theme (or really any themes, even of his own). Even though the OHMSS is miles ahead of anything Thomas Newman ever wrote, I'm glad it wasn't used in the film. That was a theme for another film and should stay in only that film.
If Tarantino could direct Bond 25, he would make a total classic. Actually, if Blofeld returns, it would be the perfect one for him to direct. More so than CR. He's obviously the best director for Waltz, and if he wrote the screenplay too, he would actually give Waltz something to do and say.
Yeah, can't wait to see a Bond film where the characters sit around and discuss whether you should tip a waitress or what they call a Quarter Pounder with cheese in France.
If Tarantino could direct Bond 25, he would make a total classic. Actually, if Blofeld returns, it would be the perfect one for him to direct. More so than CR. He's obviously the best director for Waltz, and if he wrote the screenplay too, he would actually give Waltz something to do and say.
Yeah, can't wait to see a Bond film where the characters sit around and discuss whether you should tip a waitress or what they call a Quarter Pounder with cheese in France.
You miss the point. I'm not saying Tarantino should direct a Tarantino movie. I said he should direct a Bond movie. He's a very talented writer and director, a Bond fan, and wise enough to know the difference. You are vastly underrating him.
You miss the point. I'm not saying Tarantino should direct a Tarantino movie. I said he should direct a Bond movie. He's a very talented writer and director, a Bond fan, and wise enough to know the difference. You are vastly underrating him.
Yeah, otherwise Mendes would've done a plastic bag scene in Skyfall...
Bond films do not need an auteur behind them and Tarentino is an auteur. You want a director to be essentially invisible in a Bond film, being able to manipulate the formula and the actors to great effect rather than making the success of the film all about themselves. Skyfall was quite self-indulgent in that respect; there was no need for Bond's childhood issues but it gives the film 'worthiness' and Mendes can look as if he is providing a new way for Bond.
I think reasons for mixed reviews are that without focusing all their energies into the organisation of Spectre and only focusing on Blofeld rather than having some decent supporting villains (it would have been a great opportunity to mix classic Bond with new Bond), the film was never going to live up to audience expectations. They were damned if they didn't and damned if they did with Blofeld; if they didn't make him Blofeld, people would have been disappointed but when they did, people complained that it was too predictable. As others have said, the trailer and the fact that it came after Skyfall sort of tricks you into thinking that it's going to be a dark moody film whereas it's actually quite light. I quite liked the mix of classic and dark; Skyfall was much worse in this respect. Of course they were going to try and fit in classic elements in Spectre because people liked that in Skyfall and balked when Quantum of Solace strayed too far.
I think that there's lots to like in Spectre. M, Moneypenny and Q not only make sense in Spectre, they're one of the highlights. I think that the next film will be able to integrate Blofeld more successfully; essentially in this film they're road-testing. They'll probably refine Blofeld some more; Spectre is really just a re-introduction.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
Agreed. SPECTRE is just getting started :v
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Rewatching the M scene and the Moneypenny visiting Bond's flat.
I know there is always an argument going on some thread or other
about plot holes etc, but I think these scenes are very well written. Very
Reminiscent of the early Connery films. Perfectly showing Bond's cocky
Attitude to M " Yes, you are going to have a tricky day" and his obvious
Dislike of "C"..... " No, I'll call you C" -{
Maybe not everyone's cup of tea but I loved it.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Comments
I love Dalton's two Bond films. I so wish he'd done more. He and Craig are my top two 007s; both capturing the essence of Fleming's literary creation.
I would love to have seen a Milius-penned Bond film. Tarantino, on the other hand, I can do without. Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction were great--everything since then has been a retread. Tarantino always seems to be making the same film over and over again. That's just my opinion, of course!
He's one of my fave directors, and I admire him as a screenwriter as well. But mixing him with Bond is akin to me like mixing orange juice with apple juice: it just wouldn't work.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Quentin Tarantino would be a disaster
Daniel needs to define his Bond otherwise he's just immaterial. Evoking previous Bonds is just taking something away from his legacy.
I totally agree with this. It's the shifting tone of the movie that hinders it. I go back to the trailer, it was dark, serious, and grave; all things we've come to expect (and I'd wager accept) from Daniel's Bond. If Spectre had stayed true to that darker, more "real" tone with a more impactful Blofeld reveal (or perhaps no Blofeld at all) I think fans and critics alike would have more praise for the film.
I realize that QOS isn't everyone's favorite, but there's no denying that the pre-title car chase is brutal. Bond doesn't have time to worry about the DBS's door being sheared off, let alone time to make a quick call to Moneypenny (or Tanner if we're sticking with characters in QOS), it just feels out of place for Daniel to make a phone call to anyone during the Rome chase.
I worry that this sets the tone for the next few films and they are relying too much on the past. I don't want Bond 25 to have Blofeld murder Madeline a la OHMSS, it seems lazy to recycle that story. As blasphemous as this may sound, I'm almost sorry that Blofled is back. It feels like EON got the rights back and is shoehorning the character into Daniel's Bond universe when it really wasn't necessary. Casino Royale is an amazing Bond move and, love it or hate it, Skyfall is one of the biggest box office successes of all time. Both films did just fine without Blofled and the more I think about it the more I come to the conclusion the Spectre might have been better served without him too.
And imo, Spectre has a very good balance with the combination of seriousness/fun/romance.
And I'd welcome a return of Swann while being fully aware that she might be killed right at the beginning.
For everybody demanding a constant and gritty tone - go and find other movies or even tv series -{
Bond in the cinema is much more than constant crime, suspension and grittyness
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I think it's the concept of restraint that's needed and I believe that Quentin can be mature enough to be respectful to the subject matter of Bond; why shouldn't he be given the opportunity? I think the casting of Waltz in a way, is providence allowing Tarantino to thumb his nose at the naysayers of his proposition to direct CR, because it can be argued that without Tarantino, there would not be the marketable talent that is the Oscar-winning Christoph Waltz.
I think if given the task to give a loving homage to Bond, Tarantino, who loves Bond, would deliver with passion a compelling and sincere script and give Bond the much needed stylistic elements that IMO have been merely mimicked by the recent directors. A Tarantino movie at times may potentially devolve into retro, but that would be done with fresh verve so that he would accomplish what Guy Ritchie attempted with The Man from UNCLE. Given to the expansive dimensions the Bond series has gone into these past 50 plus years, what is there to loose to give Tarantino temporary reins within certain parameters?
Yeah given the choice I wouldn't have chosen Blofeld as the villain. The films have every opportunity to add new characters to the Bond lore like they did with Raoul Silva in Skyfall who in my opinion was a far more interesting villain than Blofeld in Spectre. I even prefer Dominic Greene from Quantum. Speaking of Quantum, I actually like it. I think it has some great moments like the opening car chase and the Tosca scene. Yes it does have some major flaws like not delving deeper into the hierarchy of the criminal organisation and it forgets to resolve Vespers boyfriend until the final moments,, but overall I found it entertaining.
Tarantino is a very talented film maker with several classics under his belt, but he would not be a good choice for James Bond. His films tend to be gory, stylized, irreverent, out of order and darkly comedic. I like those kinds of films but that style is not for every genre. I would definitely like to see 007 build on the formula rather than coast on it. However, James Bond still needs to be a straightforward family-friendly adventure.
{[]
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Personally, my preference for Bond would be a little less "family friendly". I understand that is unrealistic because an "R" rating or the British equivalent would hurt box office. Ironically, DN was not considered "family friendly" back in '62 with its mix of violence and sex.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
You're wrong Chrisisall. I even defended Brosnan saying that had he played Bond on CR he would have been great, just because the story and the script were good (and I seem to remember you praised me for it!). It's not Brosnan/ no Brosnan. It's all "moronic script" vs. "solid script".
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
I've only seen the film twice to date but I'm pretty sure the OHMSS theme is never used during the film.
As I said it was used for the trailers but not the finished film and with that aspect I'm dissappointed.
"Do you expect me to talk? "No Mister Bond I expect you to die"
Because that was the trailer, not the film. Different people are always hired to do the trailer music. You can't hire a high profile composer like Thomas Newman and ask him to use multiple themes by other people. It seems like he already doesn't like using the Bond theme (or really any themes, even of his own). Even though the OHMSS is miles ahead of anything Thomas Newman ever wrote, I'm glad it wasn't used in the film. That was a theme for another film and should stay in only that film.
Yeah, can't wait to see a Bond film where the characters sit around and discuss whether you should tip a waitress or what they call a Quarter Pounder with cheese in France.
You miss the point. I'm not saying Tarantino should direct a Tarantino movie. I said he should direct a Bond movie. He's a very talented writer and director, a Bond fan, and wise enough to know the difference. You are vastly underrating him.
Yeah, otherwise Mendes would've done a plastic bag scene in Skyfall...
"Better make that two."
I think reasons for mixed reviews are that without focusing all their energies into the organisation of Spectre and only focusing on Blofeld rather than having some decent supporting villains (it would have been a great opportunity to mix classic Bond with new Bond), the film was never going to live up to audience expectations. They were damned if they didn't and damned if they did with Blofeld; if they didn't make him Blofeld, people would have been disappointed but when they did, people complained that it was too predictable. As others have said, the trailer and the fact that it came after Skyfall sort of tricks you into thinking that it's going to be a dark moody film whereas it's actually quite light. I quite liked the mix of classic and dark; Skyfall was much worse in this respect. Of course they were going to try and fit in classic elements in Spectre because people liked that in Skyfall and balked when Quantum of Solace strayed too far.
I think that there's lots to like in Spectre. M, Moneypenny and Q not only make sense in Spectre, they're one of the highlights. I think that the next film will be able to integrate Blofeld more successfully; essentially in this film they're road-testing. They'll probably refine Blofeld some more; Spectre is really just a re-introduction.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I know there is always an argument going on some thread or other
about plot holes etc, but I think these scenes are very well written. Very
Reminiscent of the early Connery films. Perfectly showing Bond's cocky
Attitude to M " Yes, you are going to have a tricky day" and his obvious
Dislike of "C"..... " No, I'll call you C" -{
Maybe not everyone's cup of tea but I loved it.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS