How does Gen Z feel about No Time to Die?

M16_CartM16_Cart Craig fanboy?
As someone who watched all the previous Craig films, No Time to Die is a satisfying conclusion. It gave closure to all the story arcs and the cast, but what about for people who aren't as familiar to them?

Casino Royale happened 15 years ago. For many Gen Z'ers, NTTD might be their first Bond film. How does Gen Z about it?

Comments

  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 23,449
    Ugh... I hate it when people are being boxed by their "generation". We've got "boomers", "Geriatric Gen X'ers" and more. Is that even relevant?

    When I was 17 and I went to see TWINE, I had already built quite an interest and understanding in and of the world of Bond. I had watched all the movies in the series several times; I had read all the Flemings; and I had already started collecting soundtracks and other stuff. Some of my classmates were meanwhile seeing their first Bond film. But some of those had already grown a genuine interest in world politics, so their takeaway from the film was different than mine. And some of us were already paying close attention to the "artistry" of filmmaking, while others couldn't care less. What I mean to say is that even though we'd be squeezed into the same box because of our year of birth, we were having different impressions of the same film. Some felt that TWINE was the best Bond thus far because it was the most modern of the bunch. Others had nothing to compare the film to. Others still, myself included, were severely let down because of previous Bond films that we thought were so much better. And so on.

    So what does Gen Z think about it? Same as we do, no doubt; some will like the film and some won't.
  • edited October 2021 Posts: 4,400
    I actually think it's a very valid question.

    The answer I think is that NTTD really isn't for them. It's for the audiences who grew up with Daniel Craig and are affectionate to his run as Bond. It's meant to be a culmination of what has come before. In this respect, you really won't know or probably care too much about this film if you haven't got at least an understanding of the others. It isn't for you.

    Probably one of the reasons it has done so well in the UK is due to Bond's omnipresence here. Try watching ITV2 over the weekend without Casino Royale being on. I think this is driving it's success in Europe as well. It's the first time they have consciously made and marketed a 007 film as a 'farewell' to the actor and character.

    I imagine younger audiences simply do not care. Plus, if you are 15 now, you were 9 when Spectre came out. This audience is who Bond 26 will be targeting. Much as they did with me when I was 15 and they were making CR. At that point, the Brosnan films felt like relics that I had to search out on DVD.

    I suppose the only deliberate effort to court younger audiences came in the decision to appoint Billie Eilish to title song duties. Eon won't forget the core of what makes these films work when targeting younger demographics. It's a trick they have pulled off before. Satisfying the stalwarts, whilst ushering in a new generation.

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  • JamesBondKenyaJamesBondKenya Danny Boyle laughs to himself
    Posts: 2,730
    I'm Gen z. Saw CR as a child, went to QOS at 6 years old to the theatre, waited almost half my life at that point until Skyfall. Got super pumped for spectre. And transformed from a child into an adult in the gap until NTTD. I very much grew up with these films, they all mark a significant point in my life, growth, and development. They inspired me to become a filmmaker, they were my comfort films whenever I was emotional, they were a Bible for style and wit. What Daniel said in Being James Bond really resonated with me. After this film I feel like its okay now, I can compartmentalize these films into my childhood and feel like there has been a satisfying conclusion and that I am an adult now. It is a very mature film, and I wouldn't have preferred it any other way for my age.
  • The answer I think is that NTTD really isn't for them. It's for the audiences who grew up with Daniel Craig and are affectionate to his run as Bond. It's meant to be a culmination of what has come before. In this respect, you really won't know or probably care too much about this film if you haven't got at least an understanding of the others. It isn't for you.

    But the Generation Z, or at least a part of it, grew up with Craig. This is why this demographic cohort isn't really relevant here I think. People born between the end of the 90s and the beginning of the 2000s is part of the audience targeted by NTTD. Those who were born between the mid-2000s and the early 2010s may not be receptive to this movie (and again, it may theoretically be questionable), but they are only a fragment of the Gen Z.
  • AceHoleAceHole Belgium, via Britain
    edited October 2021 Posts: 1,727
    I think it is a relevant question. Gen Z is the first generation to grow up with on demand visual entertainment.
    This changes how you view the classic format of film as experienced by X,ers or millennials (.ie having to wait for films to come out in the cinema or VHS/DVD and having FAR less material to compare it to and to watch) - basically up until 2010 it was the same 30 or so screenwriters and same 7 studios putting out 90% of all medium to high budget cinematic entertainment in the western world...

    Most storytelling was still funded by wealthy white baby boomers and it showed....
  • George_KaplanGeorge_Kaplan Not a red herring
    Posts: 539
    You should remember that all the films are available for everyone to watch at any time, so it’s highly likely that a Gen Z kid walking into NTTD has seen a few of the films (if not the Craig ones) already.
  • Posts: 7,500
    I get confused by these generation labels. I thought I was gen Z for a while, turns out I am a Millennial... :))
  • Posts: 295
    What follows on from Gen Z? That's the last letter in the alphabet. 😄
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,882
    jobo wrote: »
    I get confused by these generation labels. I thought I was gen Z for a while, turns out I am a Millennial... :))

    You're not alone. Except I thought I would be classed as Gen X, on the younger end of the scale. But according to Google, i'm a Millenial, on the older end of the scale!
  • M16_CartM16_Cart Craig fanboy?
    edited October 2021 Posts: 538
    bondywondy wrote: »
    What follows on from Gen Z? That's the last letter in the alphabet. 😄

    Gen Alpha
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 5,921
    "How does Gen Z feel about No Time to Die?"

    "What's a movie?"
  • M16_CartM16_Cart Craig fanboy?
    Posts: 538
    The "Gen Z doesn't like movies" argument doesn't make sense. Avengers Endgame sold 2.7 billion box office in 2019.

  • Posts: 1,545
    The whippersnappers seem fond, though, and perhaps moreso since 2019, of watching at home (big-screens have become rather common, and while everyone might not have one, you just need a friend or relative with one). At home they can smoke weed, eat, lay about on couches, play with the dog, drink, pause, rewind, go to the bathroom, smoke weed, eat -- get the idea ? Oh, and also: watch it again even days or weeks later.
  • CigaretteLeiterCigaretteLeiter United States
    edited October 2021 Posts: 100
    I'm Gen Z. My first Bond was Casino Royale, first one I ever saw in a theatre was Skyfall. I went to the theatres to watch it and I LOVED IT.

    Mod Edit - No swearing please.
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    edited October 2021 Posts: 17,728
    Since62 wrote: »
    The whippersnappers seem fond, though, and perhaps moreso since 2019, of watching at home (big-screens have become rather common, and while everyone might not have one, you just need a friend or relative with one). At home they can smoke weed, eat, lay about on couches, play with the dog, drink, pause, rewind, go to the bathroom, smoke weed, eat -- get the idea ? Oh, and also: watch it again even days or weeks later.

    It's all great fun and games until the weed psychosis sets in. Then they potentially have a film playing in their heads not of their own choosing.
  • jabalijabali Los Angeles
    edited October 2021 Posts: 43
    Early Gen Z here (born in 99). I grew up with CraigBond, Casino Royale has been my favorite film in the series for years, and I absolutely loved NTTD. Saw it in IMAX twice opening weekend.

    I had no issue whatsoever with the runtime (granted, I'm a film student so I have more patience with that sort of thing). To me, it's just more Bond. And especially after an 18 month delay, I would've happily sat through another hour of it. I was thrilled from start to finish on both watches, and as far as I know, all my friends felt the same way.

    My parents introduced me to the franchise at a relatively young age and they were actually the only people I've talked to who didn't care for it! They took issue with the runtime and really couldn't stand the way they chose to end the film (which I understand, although I personally liked the ending). It was a bummer seeing such a difference there, especially after I'd hyped it up so much for them.

    Also--no one I know around my age talks/texts/yells in theaters. Because we know that's meant for watching movies at home with the lads. Don't know what theaters everyone else is going to, because we like big screens too!
  • jake24jake24 Sitting at your desk, kissing your lover, eating supper with your familyModerator
    edited October 2021 Posts: 10,586
    jabali wrote: »
    Early Gen Z here (born in 99). I grew up with CraigBond, Casino Royale has been my favorite film in the series for years, and I absolutely loved NTTD. Saw it in IMAX twice opening weekend.

    I had no issue whatsoever with the runtime (granted, I'm a film student so I have more patience with that sort of thing). To me, it's just more Bond. And especially after an 18 month delay, I would've happily sat through another hour of it. I was thrilled from start to finish on both watches, and as far as I know, all my friends felt the same way.

    My parents introduced me to the franchise at a relatively young age and they were actually the only people I've talked to who didn't care for it! They took issue with the runtime and really couldn't stand the way they chose to end the film (which I understand, although I personally liked the ending). It was a bummer seeing such a difference there, especially after I'd hyped it up so much for them.

    Also--no one I know around my age talks/texts/yells in theaters. Because we know that's meant for watching movies at home with the lads. Don't know what theaters everyone else is going to, because we like big screens too!

    We’re in similar boats! I’m also early gen Z. My first ever Bond film in the cinema was Casino Royale and have grown up with Craig’s Bond in a way. My parents love Bond and was introduced at a very young age through my dad. Thankfully they both loved NTTD as did I, although I admit that the ending left me quite depressed for the first couple of viewings, as beautifully executed as it was. Now that I’ve made my peace I can say firmly that the film is in my top 5 Bond films of all time. There are so many highlights but that first 18 minutes is probably my favourite sequence of any Bond film. Watching that on IMAX after a 6 year absence was a surreal experience to say the least.

    I’m also in film school! It’s amazing to see how much of an inspiration these films have been on the younger generation.
  • AceHoleAceHole Belgium, via Britain
    Posts: 1,727
    But this is what I genuinely love about this forum - this online community that unites so many different generations & backgrounds. I first saw James Bond on an old 80's colour TV - distinctly remember Roger Moore hanging by his wrists over a sharkpool in a goofy looking cave... must have been about 8 years old. Krilencu being sniped was probably my other earliest memory.

    And now the teenagers re-watch CR and find their own joy in the series. 007 is a great Unifier.
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,518
    who cares about their opinions honestly. all they care about is change their sex organs . you think their opinion on bond matters? thank god i grew up in the 90s!

    Yikes. I grew up in the 90s too, but my perspective didn't come from the 40s.

    Anyways, welcome to the forums.
  • zebrafishzebrafish <°)))< in Octopussy's garden in the shade
    Posts: 4,311
    I spoke to a Gen Z friend the other day who had seen NTTD, and the only other Bond she had seen before that was SP in preparation for the experience. I was curious what she thought - but sadly she did not like NTTD. She was puzzled about what Madeleine’s big secret had been and why that would be Bonds death. Seriously, exactly the same question we fans were mulling about. So this was not a Bond movie to recruit new young fans, for sure.
    To justify the Bond fan in me, I gave her my old copy of OHMSS. Let‘s wait what she says after that!
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,518
    I'm not sure OHMSS is the best *introductory* Bond film either... but could certainly help to contextualize NTTD.
  • Posts: 7,500
    zebrafish wrote: »
    I spoke to a Gen Z friend the other day who had seen NTTD, and the only other Bond she had seen before that was SP in preparation for the experience. I was curious what she thought - but sadly she did not like NTTD. She was puzzled about what Madeleine’s big secret had been and why that would be Bonds death. Seriously, exactly the same question we fans were mulling about. So this was not a Bond movie to recruit new young fans, for sure.
    To justify the Bond fan in me, I gave her my old copy of OHMSS. Let‘s wait what she says after that!


    Is that a mysteri? It's
    the child
    . I thought that was pretty obvious on first viewing...
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,518
    No
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