The James Bond Thread

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

I'd like to present the flip-side of the argument and state that I thought Casino Royale was awful.

It felt like it was trying to be like the Bourne films, which were successful at the time, and just didn't feel like a Bond film. It instead just came across as a bland generic actioner, to me.

I haven't seen Solace, so can't comment on that one.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by bizarre_eye@Cult Labs

I'd like to present the flip-side of the argument and state that I thought Casino Royale was awful.

It felt like it was trying to be like the Bourne films, which were successful at the time, and just didn't feel like a Bond film. It instead just came across as a bland generic actioner, to me.
I haven't seen Solace, so can't comment on that one.

I must admit until the final line of dialogue it could have been a Bourne film. It is however very good.

[artisturn]

I was very happy when Daniel Craig became the new Bond .

I was really excited when Pierce Bronson become Bond until the movies got worse with each addition to the franchise .

And I was hoping with Craig taking over the role would signal a return to better Bond films.

Now I have been watching all the Bond films in order of release but I will jump ahead and watch the Craig films.

One of my coworkers have been singing the praises of the Craig Bond films for awhile now and He was very surprised I haven't seen any Craig Bond films as well.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by artisturn

I was really excited when Pierce Bronson become Bond until the movies got worse with each addition in the franchise .

I really like all the Brosnan films.

Die Another Day is let down by the invisible car and some of the sfx work though.

I can't really be trusted though as i love all the Bond films.

Although i'm not a big fan of Solace i've still seen it more times than The Dark Knight for example.

[The 4th Fella]

To celebrate 50 years of Bond, i've been having my own new for 2012 Bondathon. Watching all the EON films in chronological order, this how how my ranking looks so far...


2012 Bond Ranking
1. You Only Live Twice
2. From Russia With Love
3. Dr No
4. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
5. For Your Eyes Only
6. Thunderball
7. The Spy Who Loved Me
8. Live And Let Die
9. Goldfinger
10. Diamonds Are Forever
11. The Man With The Golden Gun
12. Moonraker


OHMSS has gone up and down my list over time, but my most recent viewing has seen it shoot up my list. FYEO has also benefited from a recent viewing. While DAF has dropped a number of places.

[Criterion7]

I wouldn't wish Quantum of Solace on my enemies. Story is horrible. Directing is the worst and it has the most horrible James Bond song ever.

See Casino Royale and then go skip to Skyfall you won't have missed a thing.

In Casino Royale you'll hear everyone who saw it talk about the Parkour scene...you won't hear about any standout scene in Solace.

I remember the shaky cam opening car chase followed by a foot chase where the camera kept inexplicably going into the crowd even though there was absolutely nothing going on and no pay off. You literally see Bond chasing a guy then a sudden crowd shot. It was almost like they were censoring something.

And let's not forget the heart touching scene where Bond pretty much rolls his dead friend into a dumpster after lifting his wallet. Hmm maybe this Bond should be drinking beer after all.

[the blob]

Originally Posted by bizarre_eye@Cult Labs

I'd like to present the flip-side of the argument and state that I thought Casino Royale was awful.

It felt like it was trying to be like the Bourne films, which were successful at the time, and just didn't feel like a Bond film. It instead just came across as a bland generic actioner, to me.

I haven't seen Solace, so can't comment on that one.

You see, I can't agree with the Bourne analogy and never will for Casino. Granted the fight scenes have a more modern post-Bourne choreography and style but that's where it ends.

There's nothing more quintessentially Bond than the Casino segment or the train journey leading to it. Even the parkour chase shares that wide long-shot cinematography of scenes like the docks chase in You Only Live Twice.

To me it's very much a Bond film with a tougher edge. Post-Bourne, yes but trying to be a Bourne film, no.

[The 4th Fella]

Even though it's been widely reported that Bond will drink beer, I think that at some point he will still order a Martini. But drinking beer is the least of the current era's problems. Craig just is not my cup of tea as Bond.


And if as they say that Skyfall will be a more classic Bond film why is M continuing to get more screentime (we can't have Bond going out on a mission and not have M hold his hand the entire time) and we will be getting more of an insight into Bonds past?

[Criterion7]

Originally Posted by The 4th Fella

Even though it's been widely reported that Bond will drink beer, I think that at some point he will still order a Martini. But drinking beer is the least of the current era's problems. Craig just is not my cup of tea as Bond.


And if as they say that Skyfall will be a more classic Bond film why is M continuing to get more screentime (we can't have Bond going out on a mission and not have M hold his hand the entire time) and we will be getting more of an insight into Bonds past?

My gf hates Craig but I actually think hes pretty good just has bad scripts and directors.

To me the most purely Bond moment in a film is in one thats not liked by many. When Bond just coldly kills Elektra in The World Is Not Enough was a true Bond moment for me.

[Prince_Vajda]

Originally Posted by ArrowFan

I wouldn't wish Quantum of Solace on my enemies. Story is horrible. Directing is the worst and it has the most horrible James Bond song ever.

See Casino Royale and then go skip to Skyfall you won't have missed a thing.

In Casino Royale you'll hear everyone who saw it talk about the Parkour scene...you won't hear about any standout scene in Solace.

I remember the shaky cam opening car chase followed by a foot chase where the camera kept inexplicably going into the crowd even though there was absolutely nothing going on and no pay off. You literally see Bond chasing a guy then a sudden crowd shot. It was almost like they were censoring something.

And let's not forget the heart touching scene where Bond pretty much rolls his dead friend into a dumpster after lifting his wallet. Hmm maybe this Bond should be drinking beer after all.

That's the whole problem of the last few Bond movies. They don't feel like James Bond anymore. Where's Connery's charism? Where's Moore's wit? Where's Dalton's smart coolness? Where are Brosnan's good looks?

As for Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. CR bored the hell out of me. Apart from Eva Green (one of the most beautiful women on earth), there isn't anything I remember from this film. The "torture" scene is an exception, because I think it's taste- and pointless as well as totally unsuitable for a Bond movie. QoS is a decent action flick, but labelling it as a James Bond film is outrageous. The movie's editing is horrible (I detest all those fast cuts and this bloody shaky hand cam - boys, this is not a remake of The Blair Witch Project!), and the story is one of the weakest - altough the flick's at least less dull than CR.

The title song Another Way To Die is extremely catchy and imho one of best of the whole series. Tastes differ!

Greetings!