I’m not a diehard James Bond Fan or anything, but I thought the Daniel Craig era was pretty good. Sad news that creative control had been handed to Amazon, so cue spins off galore, an American Bond, and just a general murdering of the franchise. Still, I guess 60+ years wasn’t a bad run. Wages, will never play for us, Etc.
Changing James Bond from British to American would be like when they tried to make Thundercats an Anime, or the crappy remake of "Jem". You do not alter classics. Nothing at all against Americans in general but I do not think their "brand" would suit the Bond we have all grown up with. Let's hope Amazon don't, well, Amazon it.
This. The Craig era (not solely his fault) has on the whole, not been good, so a change was needed. Invisible cars etc. Amazon have done some decent stuff and iirc purchased Bray studios in Berkshire last year so there's potential. They need to pick the right actor and in my opinion they need to re-shoot all the old films. Keep them in their original era 50s onwards but update the effects etc. There's enough modern day similar franchises and the decent Bond stories have run out. https://www.ign.com/articles/amazon...t-james-bond-and-the-answer-is-loud-and-clear Henry Cavil or Aaron Taylor-Johnson would be my picks. I'd love however to see Tomorrow Never Dies re-shot with media mogul Elliott Carver replaced by George Perezos internet billionaire.
Personally I loved the Craig films, especially Spectre. I thought he was terrific, I liked the emotional depth of the last few films and the continuity too. I’d not be fussed if they decided to end the franchise now.
Yep, last ‘amazing’ Bond film was Casino Royale. Had it all. Since then, it’s been in decline. Skyfall, despite its plaudits was awful and No Time To Die was a mess from pre-production to release. Mainly because of Broccoli’s interference leading to most top directors passing on it and desperate need to have a completely uninterested Daniel Craig in it so they threw a near $100m at him just to turn up and monotonously breath at the camera. The British obsession with who plays Bond and the strict requirements of said role isn’t far off Doctor Who. It has to be a British actor, despite British actors hoovering up a huge amount of iconic ‘American speaking’ roles over the last few decades. That being said, Taylor-Johnson is perfect for the role. But like Doctor Who, Bond’s had its day. The source material has run dry and it’s reliant on hack writers vomiting up a passable script that just has the same old thing. ‘Shaken not stirred’, Bond as a ladies man, a terrible theme song sung by the flavours of the month, a car that fires bullets and can potentially fly, gadgets, M, Iron curtain-esque baddies. At least Casino Royale tried to shake things up and basically stick two fingers up at the old Bond. ‘I don’t care’ to how he wanted his Martini made, a one woman Bond, a cold and calculating killer spy. Also the base running stuff was fantastic. Why they abandoned all that to go to Sean Connery with a bit of OTT violence is beyond me. Amazon, who usually follow the source material for what they adapt closely (sometimes to the detriment of the show) should be a big step up from where they’ve been.
It's true. Seemingly everyone has an opinion on Doctor Who and James Bond. Even I get tempted to weigh in and then I remember I don't give a ****.
IMO, the high point of the whole James Bond canon was when Ursula Andress walked out of the sea in Dr No. All downhill from there.
The invisible car was Pierce Brosnan era. Awful films, awful actor. Even worse title song for invisible cars movie.
I don't think there has ever been a Bond film more than a 4 out of 10. They've all been a bit rubbish. Cheesily sexist and racist. Worst probably was that one that misrepresented Vodou and seemingly gave every British person the unshakable knowledge and belief that Afro-Caribbean religions consist of savages with bones through their noses raising zombies from the dead and sacrificing humans. The early Bond series show why the British film industry declined so rapidly and got eclipsed. Some of the later ones have at least been a little more 'slick' but still unbelievable, gung-ho nonsense.
That was one of the better ones Unbelievable, gung-ho nonsense - that's the point. It's a entertainment film not a documentary.
Funny how opinions differ, I don’t remember anything pre Brosnan, anything prior I would’ve seen as a repeat on TV as a kid and and just thought a bit rubbish. Anything Brosnan I just thought was a bit naff, and then the Daniel Craig stuff a bit more serious (whilst still obviously far fetched). I certainly had a lot more interest in the Craig era stuff over anything before, but then maybe because they’re more modern.
Has anyone read any of Ian Fleming's books? His original (ie the real one) version of Bond is an absolute sh1t
I've read the book and seen the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Found it a bit more Violent than the Roger Moore years.
Live and let die. Great film Clive. A high point with some iconic scenes, and the best speedboat chase in film history. Nothing racist there, unless you’re determined to find it. Just a portrayal of occultism at its most murderous and the dark art of Tarot - performed by the white Jane Seymour. Not sure about McCartney’s theme tune though - patchy at best.
