Another Day, Another Bond
In case you’re just tuning in, this is the 2nd part of what is shaping up to be an informal expression of enthusiasm for the James Bond franchise carried out by whoever is interested in chiming in. No one is in charge and there are no rules, but if you have something to add to the conventional wisdom, write it up and then send me your link. I’ll compile it in these pages.
So far today, Alexander Coleman examines what many consider to be the best Bond film: Goldfinger. Rightly acknowledging its place in history, Mr. Coleman’s literate appraisal still wisely admits that it’s not a perfect film.
In my opinion, it has a number of fantastic elements — the theme by Shirley Bassey, the villain Goldfinger, the henchman Odd Job, the girl Pussy Galore and especially the Aston Martin DB5 — but it also germinates the seeds of what would ultimately destroy the series: an over-reliance on formula, a surfeit of gadgets and most damaging of all, an unwillingness to take itself seriously.
Of course, all of these elements are exactly what make the series so popular, particularly to fans who never read the more sober novels, but I think they tend to work best when they’re in balance. In the case of Goldfinger, they’re just starting to get a little out of control.
[UPDATED] Also today, Daniel Getahun puts his disappointment with the new Quantum of Solace into the context of his vision of the Bond universe. One of the interesting things about the Bond series is that it’s been going on so long (45 years, making the franchise older than the Bond character in Fleming’s books) that everyone seems to have different expectations of it depending on how and when they were first introduced. Daniel seems to appreciate the abundant humor of the Moore years and doesn’t seem to care much for the latest grim incarnation.
I’m on record here and elsewhere as saying I like the humor in smaller doses so I always welcome a more sober Bond outing, but at the same time I don’t think it should be taken too seriously. This is fantasy after all.
[UPDATE 2] Alexander doesn’t take long to dismantle Quantum of Solace. Ugh. I think I’ll just watch a DVD of From Russian With Love instead.
Filed under: Blog-a-thons
Tags: Goldfinger, James Bond
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“…but it also germinates the seeds of what would ultimately destroy the series: an over-reliance on formula, a surfeit of gadgets and most damaging of all, an unwillingness to take itself seriously.”
Very well put, Craig, and I completely agree.
While I do enjoy Goldfinger (Odd Job = awesomest villain sidekick/henchman ever) my favorite Bond flick is still You Only Live Twice, which has my favorite theme song. And Blowfelt, the guy with the kitty.
You’re the first one to agree with me on YOLT Alison! You’d win a stuffed bear or something, but I’m fresh out of stuffed bear…
Ok, it’s not my FAVORITE, but I think it deserves more respect than it gets.
No, Alison, don’t tell me you just said–Alexander self-immolates.
No one can deny You Only Live Twice has perhaps the greatest theme song and credits sequence (in each case they are supremely beautiful), I just wish the rest of the film were better.
Alison ought to guest-review You Only Live Twice. :-)
I also can’t deny the film is deeply flawed, especially in the differences between film and novel you point out.
But like I said, it’s the intangibles that add up for me, plus the fact this one really appealed to me when I was a kid. Not surprisingly I think it’s also the clearest template for Austin Powers.
My second post is up. Both a defense of the old Bond and an attack on the new one.
“an unwillingness to take itself seriously”
Hmm, true, but I found QoS taking itself WAY too seriously, so much so that I couldn’t have any fun. Some people will like this dark twist in Bond’s character, but I found him completely unrecognizable.
I’ll update the column with a link to Getafilm.
I think it’s safe to say I diverge from most people on the humor issue. I can live without the smirking and the quips. We’ll see how it pans out for me with QoS.
Just came home from Quantum of Solace.
Wow, that was rather awful.
The humor isn’t even the issue for me. Bond doesn’t have a personality. He’s an automaton. He’s Jason Bourne, except made cruel.
The disappointment–even with lowered expectations–is so great I’ll have to start tapping out a review ASAP.
The writing is never better than barely mediocre.
There is just about no discernible emotion in the film save for one scene. That one scene is so poorly written it makes me wonder if the screenwriters believed they had been transported to 1930s Hollywood and were charged with writing the below-average screenplay of a below-average melodrama. Cliched almost doesn’t describe it.
It’s just one tedious, overblown (at only 105 minutes!) action movie. And between this and Casino Royale, what does Bond have against Italian renovation projects?
MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW:
So, this is the ultimate bad-ass Bond, who can literally incapacitate three elite MI6 agents in an elevator in a blurring 0.8 seconds. So why does he have to fight off little Mathieu Amalric, who he should have pushed away with two fingers?
END SPOILERS
The only bright side is that it makes Casino Royale look even better than it is, and I already decided I liked it more than I had when I saw it two years ago when I viewed it again yesterday.
James Bourne is bad news indeed.
It was like receiving socks for Christmas instead of something you were anxious to get when you’re a little kid.
Post updated with a link to Alexander’s QoS review.
Saw it today, liked it, but its a Bond movie, not Tarkovsky.
Will have a few thoughts on it tomorrow over at coosa creek.
Thanks, Craig.
Alexander, it really did make me like Casino Royale more in hindsight. But now I wonder - if I see Casino Royale again will I only be thinking of how it becomes QoS?
“But now I wonder - if I see Casino Royale again will I only be thinking of how it becomes QoS?”
A horrifying question, the answer to which I fear.
Fortunately, Casino Royale can always stand on its own, like all better Bond offerings against lesser entries. Quantum of Solace may become the Batman & Robin of the Bond movies, the one everyone wishes they could just forget.
(It’s actually not that bad. But pace Rick, I didn’t consider it particularly Bondian.)
Yes Alexander wrote a wonderful review and a most deserved dismissal.
The entire film was an unending barage of explosions, chases and bombastic volume. Hence it was a complete bore and a woeful mismanagement of two hours.
Daniel Craig was listless in playing a fully vacuous character.
My perceptive eight-year old daughter Jillian summed it up best, when asked what she thought of the film. She said: “It’s a lot of noise.”
Feel free to email me if you want to be linked as part of the broader Bond effort, Rick….I may link you anyway :)