Reporting For Duty
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Categories
The 'Definitive Bond Movie' cannot exist.
For as long as I can remember I've always been fascinated with the notion of something being 'Bondian'. A general term that is commonplace, worldwide.
What I find even more intriguing is the fact that it is not derived from anything specific but from an amalgamation of sounds, images, actions, aesthetics and many more subtle elements.
As a very contemporary example I'll use the opening sequence of the upcoming 'The Dark Knight Rises' - described in many reviews as being either 'Bond-esque' or 'Bondian'. While it is in no way comparable to any specific scene, it evokes the notion of what a Bond movie 'is'.
For me this helps to reinforce the fact that people see 'Bond' as something more than a movie, something more than a car chase, a quip, an explosion or a white cat. It's a 'feeling' and a 'context'. It's also the reason I don't think there ever has been or ever can be a 'definitive Bond movie' and also why ironically, there isn't a single Bond movie I dislike. I think there is something to admire in every entry. Whether it be the screenplay, direction, production design, locations, performance, score, costume design, editing etc etc. Each and every movie contributes to the overall 'Bond' sensibility while none will ever cover all bases.
If this comes across as pessimistic that is not my intention. In fact I feel this is a virtue of the series. With each passing year new elements are added to the canon, some work, some don't. It's unlike any other film series in this respect and with each consecutive film expectations change. For this reason I don't think there can be a truly definitive Bond movie.
But, if there were to be a universally accepted 'definitive Bond' would there be any point in making any more? Skyfall looks to be shaping up superbly but as with all Bond films some people will love it and some will not.
I personally wouldn't have it any other way. Would you?
What I find even more intriguing is the fact that it is not derived from anything specific but from an amalgamation of sounds, images, actions, aesthetics and many more subtle elements.
As a very contemporary example I'll use the opening sequence of the upcoming 'The Dark Knight Rises' - described in many reviews as being either 'Bond-esque' or 'Bondian'. While it is in no way comparable to any specific scene, it evokes the notion of what a Bond movie 'is'.
For me this helps to reinforce the fact that people see 'Bond' as something more than a movie, something more than a car chase, a quip, an explosion or a white cat. It's a 'feeling' and a 'context'. It's also the reason I don't think there ever has been or ever can be a 'definitive Bond movie' and also why ironically, there isn't a single Bond movie I dislike. I think there is something to admire in every entry. Whether it be the screenplay, direction, production design, locations, performance, score, costume design, editing etc etc. Each and every movie contributes to the overall 'Bond' sensibility while none will ever cover all bases.
If this comes across as pessimistic that is not my intention. In fact I feel this is a virtue of the series. With each passing year new elements are added to the canon, some work, some don't. It's unlike any other film series in this respect and with each consecutive film expectations change. For this reason I don't think there can be a truly definitive Bond movie.
But, if there were to be a universally accepted 'definitive Bond' would there be any point in making any more? Skyfall looks to be shaping up superbly but as with all Bond films some people will love it and some will not.
I personally wouldn't have it any other way. Would you?
^ Back to Top
The MI6 Community is unofficial and in no way associated or linked with EON Productions, MGM, Sony Pictures, Activision or Ian Fleming Publications. Any views expressed on this website are of the individual members and do not necessarily reflect those of the Community owners. Any video or images displayed in topics on MI6 Community are embedded by users from third party sites and as such MI6 Community and its owners take no responsibility for this material.
James Bond News • James Bond Articles • James Bond Magazine
Comments
Is there such a thing as a perfect Bond movie ?, only Connerys two openers can come close for me
Yes there's been some mighty fine Bond adventures since 1962 that we have all enjoyed in their own way, but to say - 'A flawless, superlative, 100 per cent effective James Bond movie?', well say what you want but I haven't yet seen one although there have been one or two releases that do come near
Suppose for arguments sake that Skyfall is the overwhelming success and all round brilliance some are making out before it's even been seen, would that be such a bad think in regard to subsequent releases?, I say no.
Yes, it may be hard for future releases to surpass or better but that is all. Hitherto we have yet see what a 100 per cent superb or flawless Bond movie is, but that's not to say that one day in our lifetimes we will not witness such a thing
Can all the best elements be packaged together in one unit though, or even be successful? Tricky one this, although somewhere you think it just could work. It certainly would be something to see though
No, of course they can be. The public see that film to be Goldfinger, it's got everything you want in it.
As for the fans, I don't think it can be done as some elements being left out can add to a film due to others being there.
I'd start by asking what are the needed elements. If we said the often featured gun barrel at the start, for those who rank Casino Royale as the best film, that statement would already not hold true.
It's very tricky indeed.
Doctor No and From Russia With Love
Those films contain probably what people think of as 'Bondian'. Like something so crazy, it could never work, but you believe it in the film.
Great Set Pieces, Tons of Action, Lots of Gadgets, Memoriable Badass Bond Villian and Henchman, Good Story, Great One Liners, Sexy Bond Women who are inteligent and goodlooking, a Bond which is both Charming, Irresistable and likeable
the answer is Goldeneye or Goldfinger
Though I think Thunderball is pretty neutral in all those categories. It has a bit of all the characteristics of each Bond actor, the gadgets, the set pieces (the underwater fight!), and definitely some camp. Bond beats a cross-dresser for the first time! Its not one of my favorites but it appeals to any mood I'm in.
Both of these statements mean exactly what it is I needed to say.
We all have too many ideas for a "definitive" Bond movie, and so we'll never actually reach that.
That doesn't mean we can't splice together a bunch of random clips that we love and post them on YouTube, however.
truth is, there is no such thing when it comes to art - because no matter what, a piece of art will meaning something different to everyone... a lot of people might think it's terrific, and a couple might think it's rubbish.....
because i am myself an artist (graphically and visually) - and from experience, you cannot please everyone, and trying to do so will only drive you insane... no matter what, 100% of the people will never be satisfied.... you just gotta do what you feel is right, and what you like - and hope that you can reach even just one person....
for example... my definitive Bond film is and has been "From Russia With Love".. in my opinion, it's the perfect Bond film - it's got everything you could ask for....... but there are a lot here who would disagree... to others, definitive Bond might be Moonraker, or The Living Daylights, or On Her Majesty's Secret Service..
in this case, definitive = perfection, and neither exist... and thus, I don't expect it.
That's a major reason I tend to consider TB the "definitive" Bond film and my personal favorite. It combines the Young style/Fleming fidelity of the first two with the widescreen, big-budget epic feel of the later films. It's both faithful to Fleming and a fair level of fantasy(not as much as the Gilbert and Hamilton films, but it's there nonetheless). Plus, the best Bond actor at the top of his form before boredom would start to show and the best looking gallery of Bond girls to appear in a single Bond film. There are individual elements I prefer in other Bond films but TB does provide a good smorgasbord of classic Bondian elements in one film.
Any more flawless examples though after 1962 / 63 ?, not really if I think about it, I automatically thought of Brosnan's TWINE as somewhere near and maybe Goldeneye has a case but the last third is a real letdown for me. Casino Royale must be added too as it's at least 75 per cent efficient and Craig does really well in his debut it has to be said
I think they meant that GF was the definitive Bond film for their own taste. Evidently if you look at the entire fanbase, there is no definitive Bond film as no Bond film will ever satisfy the entire Bond fanbase.
I think it is true that there is no such thing as a flawless Bond film as we've said before simply because even though Connery's two first releases were arguably the nearest to such a thing, there will always be a minority who feel different or take issue with it
That's one (good) thing about Bond, we all have different tastes, we can say 'Oh look that film was superb, can't say a bad thing against it' and next up will be 'No, it was awful, I didn't like it at all'. That's all very well and good
Maybe we will never see a definitive or 100 per cent immaculate Bond movie in our lifetimes, but that's not to say such a thing may never occur, maybe one day it just could happen and I think Craig has a good chance of being a part of that if it occurs sooner rather than later
I heard a guy on the radio today talking about a big couch that he happened across backstage at a concert hall. He described it as something so big and long ( it was a kinda wrap around job by the sounds of it) that it might be something you would find in a Bond villain lair. It's like when he mentioned the Bond villain lair, that suddenly we might be able to get a good idea of what he was describing.
excuse me?! :O
In all seriousness, was it anything like what we saw in Live and Let Die when Kananga blows up one with Whisper on it ?